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Tennessee’s Zakai Zeigler reflects on ‘worst feeling’ from beatdown loss to Kentucky ahead of rematch
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Tennessee beat Vanderbilt Saturday evening, pushing its winning streak in SEC play to 7 games.
During that win, Zakai Zeigler came off the bench to lead the Volunteers with a team-high 16 points on 5-for-10 shooting. He added 5 assists, 2 steals, and a block as Tennessee clamped down on a Vanderbilt comeback effort for the 73-64 win.
Tennessee is now 9-3 in SEC play overall with the Volunteers now 8-2 in their last 10 games played. The 2 losses in that stretch? A 1-point road loss to Texas and a 107-79 road beatdown at the hands of Kentucky.
After Saturday’s win, Zeigler was asked about that big loss to Kentucky. He admitted that game was the worst he’s ever felt about a basketball game. But as far as revenge? Zeigler says the Vols are just focused on doing what works from their recent string of strong play:
Zeigler on Kentucky: “It’s not a revenge game or anything. We just have to keep doing what’s working.”
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) February 13, 2022
Head coach Rick Barnes was also asked about that outing and if he thinks the team remembers the big loss. Barnes said he believes the Vols remember but that the team will begin reviewing the film in-depth to prepare for Tuesday’s game:
#Vols coach Rick Barnes on if his team remembers getting the holy hell kicked out of it three weeks ago in Lexington: Oh, I think they do, but either way we’re gonna watch it a lot more starting tomorrow morning.
— Wes Rucker (@wesrucker247) February 13, 2022
After getting blown out in Lexington, the Vols get a chance to face Kentucky in Knoxville Tuesday. Tip-off for that game is set for 9 pm EST on ESPN.
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.