Busting Brackets
Fansided

NCAA Basketball: Takeaways from 2021 Hall of Fame Tip-Off Classic games

By Tristan Freeman

Nov 21, 2021; Uncasville, CT, USA; The Purdue Boilermakes pose with the Hall of Fame Tip Off Tournament Trophy after the game against the Villanova Wildcats at Mohegan Sun Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2021; Uncasville, CT, USA; The Purdue Boilermakes pose with the Hall of Fame Tip Off Tournament Trophy after the game against the Villanova Wildcats at Mohegan Sun Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
Tennessee guard Zakai Zeigler Kns Vols Hoops Etsu
Tennessee guard Zakai Zeigler Kns Vols Hoops Etsu /

Tennessee – Emergence of Zakai Zeigler

There are a number of potential negative takeaways to talk about for Tennessee, such as the continued struggles on offense dating back to last season against top-50 opponents. Or sophomore forward Olivier Nkamhoua coming back down to earth after a blazing early start to the season. However, since they got the win on Sunday, I’ll look on the positive side.

And that would be the play of freshman guard Zakai Zeigler. As a reclass, the 5’9 point guard joined the team late and looked as if he would be a redshirt candidate, let alone get meaningful minutes. The backcourt already had five-star freshman point guard Kennedy Chandler, Auburn transfer Justin Powell, as well as returning double-digit scoring guards, Santiago Vescovi, Victor Bailey Jr., and Josiah Jordan-James.

So far, Chandler has been the unquestioned leader on the perimeter, with Vescovi the most consistent off-ball source of offense. The others have struggled, including Jordan-James who was hurt on Sunday. That provided an opportunity for Zeigler to come in as the backup ball-handler and contribute at a high level.

Against Villanova, the young guard had seven points in seven minutes off the bench. And in extended time versus UNC, Ziegler had a team-high 18 points on 7/10 shooting, including a trio of three-pointers. With him as a legit option off the bench, the pressure can be taken off of Chandler at times and the Vols won’t have to suffer through more droughts. And if Powell or Bailey don’t play better, don’t be shocked if the previously unknown recruit becomes the first guard off the bench.

Home/NCAA Basketball News