The Tennessee Volunteers are gearing up for their final tune-up before SEC play begins, facing Norfolk State on Tuesday. And while the team preps for a crucial stretch, two standout players are making waves and breaking records.
Zakai Zeigler is on the brink of making history. The dynamic point guard is poised to break Tennessee’s single-season assist record as well as its career assist record. With 99 assists through 12 games, Zeigler is on pace to finish the regular season with 256 assists, surpassing Rodney Woods’ 227 assists from the 1974-75 season. Though his current pace of 8.2 assists per game might slow down, Zeigler’s ability to excel in SEC play—where he averaged 7 assists per game last season—gives him a strong shot at breaking the record before postseason action begins. On top of that, Zeigler is also eyeing Tennessee’s career assist record, needing just 15 more assists to eclipse Johnny Darden’s 715 career assists.
Chaz Lanier, the transfer sharpshooter, is another player chasing history, and this time it’s from beyond the arc. Lanier has already made 45 three-pointers this season at an impressive 47.4% clip, putting him on track to shatter Tennessee’s single-season three-point record. If he keeps up this pace, he’ll finish the regular season with 116 made threes—just two short of Chris Lofton’s legendary record of 118. Even more jaw-dropping: Lanier could break the record with 62 fewer attempts than Lofton had in his record-breaking 2007-08 season. With a shooting percentage that ranks among the best in Vols’ history, Lanier’s pursuit of greatness is one to watch as the season heats up.
With Tennessee’s season in full swing, all eyes are on Zeigler and Lanier as they chase history. The Volunteers are back in action Tuesday at 3 p.m. ET against Norfolk State at Thompson-Boling Arena. Don’t miss it—this is just the beginning of something special!
