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Zakai Zeigler's return sparks No. 4 Tennessee in 85-81 win over No. 15 Missouri

On3 imageby:Brent Hubbs•about 10 hours•

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Zakai Zeigler
USA TODAY IMAGES/Callie McMekin

Tennessee point guard Zakai Zeigler made it clear Sunday night he was returning to the court Wednesday night against Missouri

“I’m good,” said Zeigler on his weekly appearance on the Food City Locker Room show. “I’ll be back next game. Simple as that.”

Zeigler not only returned against Missouri, he was as effective as he has been in weeks, scoring 21 points, going a perfect 4-for-4 from the 3-point line and 7-for-7 at the foul line with eight assists in 34 minutes as No. 5 Tennessee beat No. 15 Missouri 85-81.

“Missouri, they are a really rowdy team,” Zeigler said. “If you play into their hands, you are going to turn the ball over a lot. They are going to bait you into some passes. Just the guys really paying attention. If your man jumps out, slip to the ball. Simple things like that. Quick slips and just reading your guy rather than trying to get through the play and run the play. I would say just reading the defense.”

For perspective, Zeigler was just 13 of 50 from 3-point range in SEC play coming into Wednesday night’s game. In his three previous games, Zeigler was just 2-for-20 from beyond the arc. 

“I thought Z was terrific,” head coach Rick Barnes said of his point guard. “I did. I thought he was really terrific not really practicing but one day and not even a full day at that.”

Following the game, Barnes credited Igor Milicic, who also scored 21 points in his return after missing the Florida game, for getting Zeigler the ball in a position to shoot a high percentage shot. 

“Igor made a couple of good plays to get Z to give him a great look at it,” Barnes said, “and that’s when Z shoots it his best after a middle drive and he gets spotted up. That’s when he shoots the ball his best numbers.” 

Missouri head coach Dennis Gates said Zeigler’s effectiveness as a shooter was a killer.

“When you have that type of movement and Zakai Zeigler is not shooting as well this season, he’s at 20-something percent from 3 and he went 4-4. Those are baskets that come back and haunt you,” Gates said.

For the Vols, Zeigler’s offensive prowess was much needed. But Barnes said it was more than just scoring. 

“I thought he controlled the game for us. Again, he did a lot of really good things. He played 34 minutes tonight and I would like to get that down a little more but we can’t do that unless we know what we are going to get off the bench every time.”

Zeigler has played 31 minutes or more in every game since the Illinois game where he only played 24 minutes due to foul trouble. 

Zeigler and the Vols hit the road Saturday to take on Oklahoma. 

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