Tennessee basketball’s Zakai Zeigler had five assists by the first media timeout. Chaz Lanier made three triples and had 13 points in the game’s first 10 minutes.
The Vols’ star guards came out the gates hot and did what they did best in the opening minutes of Tennessee’s 70-52 win over Oklahoma on Saturday afternoon. Both came up big in a much-needed road win for Tennessee on Saturday afternoon.
“When you’re making shots, it looks good even if you’re not playing well,” Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes said postgame. “And the fact that I thought we were locked in defensively and started making those shots again, the first half was pretty special.”
Zeigler and Lanier propelled the red-hot offensive start for Tennessee. The Vols scored 45 points in the first half behind consistent two-point offense and seven-of-12 shooting from three-point range.
Oklahoma couldn’t defend Zeigler off the dribble and the point guard did a phenomenal job distributing. When the Sooners tried to take away his passing option, Zeigler finished well at the basket.
“It’s amazing out there on the court. I know exactly where guys are going to be,” Zeigler told ESPN postgame. “We talk a lot and I’ll be like, ‘hey, in this situation what do you want me to do?’ and it just works. They tell me what they like and I tell them how I’m going to get them the ball. I just tell them to be ready at any time I get to the paint and I’ll be looking for you guys. We work really well together.”
Zeigler was dynamic against Oklahoma, scoring 17 points on six-of-eight shooting from the field while dishing out nine assists, grabbing four rebounds and totaling four steals. The only blemish on an otherwise fantastic day was his four turnovers.
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The senior point guard has now had two straight games after missing last week’s game against Florida with an injury. In two wins this week, Zeigler totaled 38 points, 17 assists and eight rebounds.
“I thought that Zakai has been really good the last couple games, where he’s really managed the game well for us,” Barnes said. “He’s looking for guys when he get going in certain areas.”
Then there was Lanier who found different ways to be effective against Oklahoma. He made his first three attempts from beyond the arc but missed his final seven.
But despite not hitting shots from the perimeter, Lanier scored a game-high 21 points. The shooting guard hit shots in the midrange but more importantly scored at the basket more than he has in any other game in SEC play.
Tennessee did a great job of getting Lanier open on some cuts while his defender overplayed an off ball screen trying to keep the sharpshooter off the three-point line. Lanier has been a one trick pony for much of SEC play. Him finding more consistent scoring from two-point range would go a long way.
Zeigler and Lanier are Tennessee’s top two players. The Vols will be at their best when those two play well. Zeigler has been Tennessee’s most consistent player in SEC play. Lanier has been hit or miss. As games get bigger and Tennessee plays three of its next four on the road, they need the pair to come through.
Their performances in Norman was a great start.
