Zakai Zeigler Injury Update
Zakai Zeigler tore his ACL against the Arkansas Razorbacks on the Vols' senior night last season. It was the second to last game before the regular season came to a close. Thus, the Vols did not have him for the SEC tournament or March Madness.
Despite the abrupt end, Zeigler put up well-improved numbers in year two on Rocky Top. He finished averaging 10.7 points, 5.4 assists, and 2.7 rebounds a game. He also was very sturdy on defense, averaging 2.0 steals a game. He led the Volunteer team and SEC in assists and also led the team in steals and was top five in the conference in that category.
Last week, head coach Rick Barnes talked about Zeigler's status and his return timetable for next season. He was taking part in Tennessee's Big Orange Caravan. A time when he goes around the state of Tennessee with live Q and A's for both the media and fans,
Barnes said, "We hope that we'll have him for the start of the season...I know he will do everything he possibly can to be ready as quickly as he can, but obviously, we're going to make sure he's 100 percent totally healthy."
Coach Barnes also talked about the commitment the point guard has made to recovery, saying, "He just finished up. He's always the last one in there with (trainer) Chad (Newman) and (strength coach) Garrett (Medenwald). Just doing everything above and beyond."
Getting Zeigler back for next season is huge. He is the orchestrator of the offense with his innate ability to facilitate for both himself and his teammates. He racks up high numbers at times in both points and assists, as he had five double-doubles last season. Tennessee has had a lot going for them with all of the transfer signings recently. With their experienced point guard back, this will really make the gears turn for all of the talent they just got.
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