Rick Barnes gives Zakai Zeigler injury update before Tennessee basketball vs Florida game

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Zakai Zeigler did not practice Thursday as Tennessee basketball prepares to face Florida, but Vols coach Rick Barnes is “not one bit” worried about Zeigler’s right knee injury.

The Vols coach expects Zeigler to be available when the No. 8 Vols (17-4, 4-4 SEC) play the No. 6 Gators (18-2, 5-2) on Saturday (noon ET, ESPN).

“My gut feeling is − knowing him − that he will be ready to play,” Barnes said.

Zeigler was injured with 2:17 to play in the first half of Tennessee’s 78-73 loss to No. 12 Kentucky on Tuesday at Food City Center. He finished with 13 points on 5-for-18 shooting with six assists. He was 1-for-11 on 3-pointers for the Vols.

Barnes indicated after the loss that Zeigler’s knee was “all sound.” He was not sure if the senior guard would practice Friday before UT faces Florida, which beat the Vols 73-43 to end an unbeaten start to the season after 14 wins.

Zeigler is averaging 12.3 points and 7.4 assists this season.

Zakai Zeigler injured right knee in Tennessee vs Kentucky

Zeigler drove to the hoop and appeared to hyperextend his right knee. He hopped up and headed immediately for the Tennessee bench, hobbling off the court and down the tunnel.

“He thought he tweaked his knee a little bit,” Barnes said Tuesday. “It obviously was something that bothered him because he would never do what he did, going straight back.”

Zeigler had two points, two rebounds and three assists when he departed. He was evaluated during halftime and the knee was sound and stable.

Zeigler was fouled on the play by Kentucky guard Kobe Brea. Jahmai Mashack entered the game, while the Wildcats chose Felix Okpara to shoot the free throws for Zeigler. He missed both, but he got the rebound off his second miss and Jordan Gainey made a 3-pointer.

Mashack made a pair of free throws and Chaz Lanier hit a 3-pointer to give Tennessee a 33-30 lead, its first of the game.

Zakai Zeigler ‘felt like he could go’ in second half

Zeigler warmed up after halftime with the intent to return, a Tennessee…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/rick-barnes-gives-zakai-zeigler-182529662.html

Author : Knox News | The Knoxville News-Sentinel

Publish date : 2025-01-31 18:25:00

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