Three Vols Recieve All-Conference Recognition

Tennessee had three players on All-SEC teams to wrap up the 2022-23 season as we shift into postseason play.

On Monday, the 14 coaches in the SEC voted on the all-SEC teams and other end-of-the-year awards as the 2022-23 season came to a close. 

The team awards were divided into four categories, first-team, second-team, all-defensive, and all-freshman. The Tennessee Volunteers had a representative on each team. 

Shooting guard Santiago Vescovi made the All-SEC first team for the second straight season. He is leading the Vols in points per game this season (12.7). He also has an improved rebounding, and defensive game averaging 4.6 rebounds and 1.9 steals a game. Both are the highest averages in his four years in Knoxville. 

Anytime Vescovi is on the court, opposing coaches need to know where he is because of his lethal touch from long range. He had a 40.3 shooting percentage from three last season, and this season that success has continued with a 36.1 shooting percentage from distance. 

Despite his injury against Arkansas, Zakai Zeigler received both All-SEC second team and All-SEC defensive team honors. After stepping onto the scene in his freshman year last season, he has continued this year with improved scoring numbers (10.7 points per game in 2022-23). 

However, scoring is arguably not the best aspect of his game. He is the SEC's assist leader, averaging 5.4 a game. He also is top-five (4th) in steals in the league, averaging 2.0 a game. He is also one of the more efficient guards in the SEC, with five double-doubles this season. In 2023, he finished with less than six assists in a game just five times. 

The final Volunteer to get all-conference recognition was the freshman forward Julian Phillips. He was placed on the SEC's all-freshman team. Phillips finished the regular season averaging 9 points and right around five rebounds a game. He also was top-ten (7th) in the SEC in free throws shooting 82% at the line (with at least 100 attempts on the season). He also had a very good field goal percentage for a freshman, shooting 41.5%. 

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