Tennessee wins round 2 with Vandy

Ellie Williamson

February 6, 2025

The Vols showed they can learn from mistakes in the second half of the rematch with the visiting Vanderbilt Commodores. This time it would be #5 Tennessee that would finish the game in the win column. No buzzer beater needed. 

The first half was exactly as the Tennessee coaches had prepared for with this team. However, execution of the game plan was once again an issue. Coach Barnes says at half he challenged the locker room and more importantly, he turned the floor over to Zakai Zeigler and Jahmai Mashack. 

Barnes repeats that these two and a few others are the only ones that know what to expect this time of year. There is still a learning curve that they deal with, when it comes to newcomers Miličić Jr, Lanier, Dubar and Okapra to SEC conference play. 

According to Barnes, additionally, Miličić Jr. was out of practice all week with a lingering injury. He was somewhat limited in mobility and preparation all week, but was able to finish with in the win over Vandy. 

The speech at halftime lit a fire in all of them. Coach Barnes laid it out that the respect, the best defense in college basketball has earned, was lost.

According to Senior Zakai Zeigler: “we all looked at each other and said yeah we gotta show everyone to respect us more.” 

 After half, Zakai Zeigler took a main character role in putting  the ball where it needs to be for buckets. Jahmai Mashack also led the team response to the challenge in the second half. 

Team scoring breakdown: 

Zakai finished the game with 8 assist making him  top five on the SEC's career assists leaderboard in the victory. He had a season-high 22 points, all in the second half. Chaz Lanier (21pts) combined with Zakai (22 pts) to lead scoring while facing Vandy’s zone defense. 

Vandy’s HC Mark Byington: “I want people to know that Tennessee is very good.” 

He credits ZZ as the reason they couldn’t get zone defense to work against the Vols in the second half. It could also have been his two key big roles fouling out of the game. The early exit of Devin McGlockton  in 18 minutes and Jaylen Carey in 26 minutes played allowed Tennessee some room to make a good run and secure the lead.  A loss at Kentucky and a second half comeback to win against unranked Vandy is not the consistency you want to see in February.

Barnes is quoted: “I told them you’re either going to wilt or grow.” 

ESPN released projected seeding for the tournament that has the Vols playing as the 2 seed on the EAST. Other teams in that bracket include Arizona, Duke and St.John’s. 

Next, Tennessee will have to face a top 10 match on the road with Texas A&M this week and then travel back to back for a tip off with LSU. 

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