After an elite eight appearance in the 2023/24 season, the Tennessee Volunteers have come back with vengeance this year. The Vols are undefeated at the halfway point of the season and have held the No. 1 spot in the AP-Top-25 poll since week five.
But what makes this team so good? Historically it’s been the defense that’s defined this team and while Tennessee still has an elite defense, Chaz Lanier really has been the difference maker for this team.
Offensive Firepower
Chaz Lanier
Chaz Lanier, a senior transfer from the University of Northern Florida has been getting it done on the offensive side of the ball; he averages 20.3 points, which is 14th best in the nation. The Nashville native plays like his hometown is watching, with poise and consistent shooting. He’s averaged five three-pointers for the last ten games.
After a blowout win verses No. 23 Arkansas, Lanier kept it humble when asked why he chose Tennessee for his final year of college ball.
“I’m a Nashville kid, a Tennessee boy, I just wanted to join something that’s bigger than me. I’m surrounded by a great group of guys so I just get to love my team.”
With a stacked Southeastern Conference, the road to staying undefeated and an unanimous No. 1 seed will be tough but with the guidance of legendary head coach Rick Barnes, Chaz Lanier thinks anything is possible.
“Coach Barnes is a hall of fame coach, he’s an old school coach. He challenges us every day but that’s what makes us closer- I thank him every day for that. He brings the best up out of me and I love him for that. Go Vols baby!”
Zakai Zeigler
The unsung hero of the Tennessee Volunteers and certified ball distributor, Zakai Zeigler has shined brightly as a fourth year Vol. He’s fifth best in the nation in assists per game averaging an even eight and plays with a passion that burns through the TV screen.
Last year’s March Madness was a big one for Zeigler who, behind NBA rookie Dalton Knecht, led the Volunteers to their school’s first ever final four. The fans rallied behind his obvious desperation to achieve greatness and that sensation has boiled over to this season. He now is considered the most popular player in Tennessee Volunteer history acc. to long-time Vol’s announcer Bob Kesling, and has the most jersey sales by any Tennessee basketball player.
“I got goosebumps when you said that,” said Zeigler when reacting to Kesling’s statement. “I’m in a living prayer right now, I pray for times like this.”
Zakai, similar to Chaz Lanier, knows that trusting in his coach’s mindset is key to winning and spoke about it after a recent win versus Norfolk State.
“When we got the No. 1 ranking, we went into practice and acted like we were the last ranked team”, said Zeigler. “Every day in practice we go like we have something to prove in every single game.”
Defense Secures Championships
It is no question that Tennessee has the best defense in college basketball. They are first in three-point defense (24.3 3PT% allowed), second in effective field goal percentage defense (40.8 eFG% allowed) and create turnovers on a mind-blowing 21.5 percent of opponent possessions.
They are also second in points allowed per game(55.9) only sitting behind Houston and have the largest point differential per game in the nation(23.8).
Their defensive dominance is nothing new, the Volunteers have had a top five defense the last five years which can be attributed to Rick Barnes’s ability to predict an opponents offensive strategy and shut it down.
To Read More Basketball News
Follow Alexander Martin on Instagram @waddup.im.alex or reach out directly at [email protected].
Check out more Hardwood Heroics content at https://www.hardwoodheroics.com/.
