As Tennessee heads into March Madness, senior guard Zakai Zeigler has been a key part of their strong season. He’s been consistent on both offense and defense, helping the Volunteers secure big wins.
Zeigler’s strong court awareness and defensive skills have earned him recognition, including the SEC Defensive Player of the Year award for the second year in a row. His ability to control the pace of the game and make big plays under pressure makes him a major factor in Tennessee’s tournament hopes.
Inside Zakai Zeigler’s Build and Strength
Zeigler may be smaller than most guards at 5’9″ and around 170 pounds, but he’s shown that size doesn’t define his game. Despite questions about whether he can hold up against bigger players, his quickness, strength, and effort have helped him succeed on both ends of the floor.
Zeigler’s size hasn’t held him back on the court because he makes up for it with his quickness, defensive instincts, and toughness. He’s known for being one of the best perimeter defenders in college basketball, using his speed and low center of gravity to stay in front of bigger guards and disrupt passing lanes.
Talked about Zakai Zeigler last night and his incredible ascension over the years. I can remember watching him at an outdoor event in the fall of 2020, trying to convince low-major schools to recruit him. Now he’s one of college basketball’s most reliable two-way point guards. pic.twitter.com/xz46FPGdlj
— Adam Finkelstein (@AdamFinkelstein) March 15, 2025
On offense, his ball-handling and court vision allow him to create plays and find open teammates, while his ability to finish at the rim despite his smaller frame shows his fearlessness. Zeigler’s relentless motor and high basketball IQ help him compete with larger opponents and make a consistent impact on both ends of the floor.
As the Volunteers gear up for March Madness, Zeigler has been instrumental in their successful season. Averaging 13.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game, Zeigler’s performance has helped lead Tennessee to a 25-6 record, securing the No. 8 spot in the AP Poll.
In the SEC tournament semifinals, Zeigler led the Volunteers with 20 points in a 70-65 victory over No. 3 Auburn, pushing Tennessee into the championship game. Up next, they’ll face the Florida Gators, setting the stage for a tough matchup as they aim to secure a higher seed for the NCAA tournament.
Zeigler’s leadership and consistent play will be key as Tennessee looks to make a deep run in March Madness.
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Zeigler has proven that size doesn’t define success. Despite doubts about his height, his skill, leadership, and toughness have made him a key part of Tennessee’s success. As the Volunteers head into March Madness, Zeigler’s impact on both ends of the court will be crucial in their push for a deep tournament run.
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