#6 Tennessee returned home after a road trip that featured two shaky performances. After a massive letdown resulted in a blowout loss against Florida and a dicey victory in Austin against Texas, the Volunteers were back in action at home on Wednesday needing a strong performance to reassert control of their season. Facing the #23 Georgia Bulldogs, Tennessee had their hands full with a back-and-forth battle in the first half. However, in the second half, UT ran away with it and won 74-56.
Tennessee Overcame Some Struggles on Offense
It’s rare to get a win when your leading scorer goes 2-16 from the floor, but that is exactly what Tennessee did on Wednesday. Star guard Chaz Lanier could not buy a bucket on the night, shooting 12.5% from the floor and going just 1-9 from three. He finished with 5 points and 0 assists. As a team, Tennessee shot 27.3% in the first half. The home crowd despaired, as it looked all too similar to the Florida game.
However, the second half was much improved. The Volunteers needed others to make up for Lanier’s struggles, and multiple players contributed to do just that. Point guard Zakai Zeigler was up to the task, scoring an electric 16 points that included 4 three-pointers. Fellow starter Jahmai Mashack went 5-5 from the floor for 11 points. Off the bench, Jordan Gainey and Cade Phillips brought some explosiveness. Phillips scored 10 points, almost double his usual 5.9 a game, while Gainey went off for 19 points and 7 rebounds.
Tennessee had 16 assists to Georgia’s 9, showing a great ability to share the ball. Whether it was two-on-ones in transition or nice cuts to the basket, the team is full of willing passers and intelligent players who utilize off-ball movement to get themselves easy looks.
iggy behind the back + shack attack pic.twitter.com/eIScTsgj06
— Tennessee Basketball (@Vol_Hoops) January 16, 2025
Defense Remains Tennessee’s Calling Card
Tennessee regularly holds opponents to well below their season average for points, and that was the case again against Georgia. The Bulldogs were held to 56 points on just 37.7% from the field. Star freshman Asa Newell was limited to just 13 points.
The story of the game was turnovers. The Vols had 11 steals, turning Georgia over 19 times in total. Zeigler was an absolute menace on the defensive end, recording 6 steals alone, jumping passing lanes, picking people’s pockets, and turning defense into offense. Tennessee also had 6 blocks, 3 of which were by center Felix Okpara.
up, up, & away pic.twitter.com/aNdPvlQCzK
— Tennessee Basketball (@Vol_Hoops) January 16, 2025
Defending without fouling has been head coach Rick Barnes’ challenge to his players. Georgia gets to the line over 24 times a game on average, but on Wednesday, shot just 12 free throws. Without their usual free throw production, Georgia found themselves unable to keep the game close due.
Tennessee outrebounded Georgia 35-29. Factoring in the turnovers, it is not surprising that the Volunteers were able to stretch out the lead early in the second half and stay in cruise control until the final whistle.
Zeigler’s impressive performance earned him a school record. He is now the Volunteers’ all-time steals leader. Zeigler humbly accepted the praise before noting how the entire team fights hard together and plays for one another. In his words, “everybody eats.”
“everybody eats” — Zakai Zeigler
apparently everybody does the postgame interview too 😂 pic.twitter.com/TWsLt1n6n1
— Tennessee Basketball (@Vol_Hoops) January 16, 2025
Tennessee’s impressive performance puts them at 16-1. Despite their loss last week, they still have been one of the most dominant teams in the country. They will face Vanderbilt on Saturday.
For More Great Basketball Content
Follow @HardwoodHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in the NBA and college basketball, click here!
