Zakai Zeigler on knocking down shots: ‘It’s really fun’

Tennessee has not been known for its offensive production this season but things changed in a quick way against Mississippi State. The Volunteers could not miss early in Tuesday’s game, getting out to as much as a 16-0 lead in the first half. For the first time this season, shots were really beginning to fall.

No matter what position you play, when the ball is going through the hoop, basketball can be fun. Zakai Zeigler said exactly that when asked how it felt to see some shots go down. He was not the only one either, as the entire Tennessee roster had some fun in Knoxville.

“No other way to put it other than it’s really fun,” Zeigler said. “When you’re hitting shots, you’re not tired. It’s fun out there, everybody has energy. When guys aren’t making shots, that’s when everybody gets down. It is really fun out there with everybody hitting shots.”

Despite coming off the bench, Zeigler was able to score 11 points while making three of his five three-point attempts. As a team, Tennessee shot 69.2% from the field and exploded for 87 points — their second-highest total of the season.

Tennessee is already a good team thanks to elite defense. Zeigler thinks once the offense really clicks under head coach Rick Barnes, they will be as good as any team in the country, let alone the SEC.

“That just shows the type of team we can be,” Zeigler said. “And that’s not just in the SEC — across the country. That just shows what we can be and what we know we can be. Because we haven’t been shooting the ball well recently… When we see shots falling and start feeling ourselves a little bit, I feel like we’re going to carry that on.”

Zakai Zeigler shares excitement over return of Josiah-Jordan James

Zakai Zeigler shared the same excitement that Tennessee faithful had for the return of Josiah-Jordan James to the court.

Injuries have plagued James’ season thus far, but the Volunteers star made his comeback to the hardwood Tuesday night against Mississippi State. Afterward, Zeigler spoke about how it lit a fire under the entire team to see their teammate back in the fold.

“It felt really good. Honestly, when he dunked it, it got me flashbacks of the Arizona game last year, when he got that big dunk and everybody started going crazy,” stated Zeigler. “It was really good for him to be back. That’s my brother right there, and I’m just happy for him to be back on the court playing.”