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Zakai Zeigler's torn ACL won't change the plan for Tennessee freshman Freddie Dilione

IMG_3593by:Grant Ramey•03/02/23•

GrantRamey

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Freddie Dilione / Player submitted photo (Tennessee Basketball Athletics)

No, Zakai Zeigler’s torn ACL won’t change the plan for Tennessee basketball with freshman guard Freddie Dilione. The early enrollee, who joined the Vols in January, will continue going through a redshirt season and working on the scout team in practice despite the sudden need at point guard.

Rick Barnes was asked before practice Thursday afternoon at Thompson-Boling Arena if there was any chance Dilione would be activated after Zeigler suffered the season-ending injury in the 75-57 win over Arkansas Tuesday.

“No, huh uhh,” Barnes said, before shifting his attention to another freshman guard, BJ Edwards.

“I think BJ has done a good job for us,” Barnes said. “He’s one of the guys we really do have confidence in. As it gets later in the year, obviously as you guys know, the possessions become very valuable. 

“But he’s handled himself well and we have confidence in him. Again, we know that we’ve got him and he’ll do his job in terms of getting ready. He’ll prepare the right way.”

Freddie Dilione joined Vols in January as midyear early enrollee

Zeigler’s injury happened with 17:06 left in the first half against Arkansas. Despite Tennessee leading by as many as 24 points in the second half, Edwards didn’t’t play in the game. 

Edwards has been used sparingly this season, totaling just 17 points, six assists and five turnovers in 13 games, averaging 4.5 minutes per game.

The point guard by committee approach will focus on Santiago Vescovi, Jahmai Mahsack, Josiah-Jordan James and Tyreke Key as the main options.

Dilione went through his first practice on January 19, after arriving in Knoxville and enrolling at Tennessee five days earlier.

He was a senior at Word of God Christian Academy in Fayetteville, N.C., before deciding to graduate early and get a jumpstart on his collegiate career. He was ranked as the No. 43 overall player in the 2023 class, was the No. 3 shooting guard and the No. 1 overall player in the state of North Carolina.

Up Next: No. 12 Tennessee at Auburn, Saturday, 2 p.m. ET, ESPN

“Freddie decided he wanted to get here as early as he could,” Barnes said in January, “… he’ll be in practice. How much he does, he’ll probably start out really helping our scout team. And as he continues to learn our system here, it’s going to be great for us and it’s going to be great for him. We’re excited about it.”

Dilione committed to Tennessee in September, picking the Vols over Wake Forest, VCU and Virginia. The Vols had talks with Dilione and his family about reclassifying and joining the program before the season, but they opted to stay put at the time.

“We’re fortunate we have a scholarship,” Barnes said in January, “it worked out well that way. We’re excited about it. And we’re fortunate we have a scholarship. So that worked out well that way. We’re excited about him getting here.”

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