ANOTHER BANGER :Zakai Zeigler, Tennessee book 2nd straight Elite Eight tri
The University of Tennessee has a long history in men’s basketball, having participated in 27 NCAA tournaments and reaching the Sweet 16 ten times. However, despite producing standout players such as Bernard King, Chris Lofton, Dale Ellis, Grant Williams, Ernie Grunfeld, and Allan Houston, the program has never made it to the Final Four.
For the second consecutive year, Tennessee finds itself in the Elite Eight, just one victory away from making program history. On Friday, the second-seeded Volunteers dominated third-seeded Kentucky in a convincing 78-65 win at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Wildcats never managed to close the gap to single digits in the second half, allowing Tennessee to secure a spot in the next round.
Historically, Tennessee holds the record for the most Sweet 16 appearances without reaching the Final Four. Their 27 NCAA tournament runs without advancing to the final weekend rank fourth behind BYU (32), Missouri (30), and Xavier. The significance of breaking this pattern is not lost on the team. Senior Zakai Zeigler emphasized that making the Final Four would mean everything to the players, coaches, and fans, as it is an achievement long sought after by the program.
Tennessee’s confidence is high following one of their most complete performances of the season. Despite losing twice to Kentucky during the regular season, the Volunteers shut down the Wildcats’ offense, allowing only six three-pointers. Zeigler led the effort with 18 points and 10 assists, while Chaz Lanier added 17 points, and Jordan Gainey contributed 16 off the bench.
Their success was fueled by Tennessee’s signature defensive intensity, offensive efficiency, and a well-rounded team effort. Center Felix Okpara provided crucial support with 11 rebounds and eight points, highlighting the team’s depth. As they stand on the brink of history, the players are well aware of what is at stake. Senior Jahmai Mashack expressed that he joined the program not for personal accolades but to bring success to the fans and push for a national championship.
Much of Tennessee’s motivation also stems from their desire to win for head coach Rick Barnes, who has been leading the program for a decade. Barnes has guided Tennessee to two of its three Elite Eight appearances, but a Final Four berth remains elusive. While he previously took Texas to the Final Four in 2003, he has not returned since. With 836 career wins, Barnes holds the record for the most victories among active coaches without a national title, with only Bob Huggins (935) having more wins without securing a championship.
After an impressive tenure at Texas, Barnes was dismissed in 2015 and subsequently hired by Tennessee, where he has revitalized the program into an SEC powerhouse. As he eyes a historic Final Four appearance, Barnes acknowledges that achieving this goal would be an extraordinary accomplishment, emphasizing the collective effort of his team in pursuit of success.
Meanwhile, in another Elite Eight matchup, Michigan State coach Tom Izzo remains focused on his ultimate goal despite securing his 11th career Elite Eight appearance with a 73-70 comeback victory over Ole Miss. The Spartans initially trailed by double digits in the first half but turned things around with a resilient second-half performance. Although proud of his team, Izzo maintained that Michigan State does not celebrate Elite Eight appearances—only Final Fours and championships matter.
At 70 years old, Izzo continues to adapt to the evolving landscape of college basketball, including NIL deals and the transfer portal, which have led many of his contemporaries to step away from the game. However, Izzo remains committed to chasing another national title, balancing his desire to enjoy the moment with ensuring his team stays focused on the next step.
The Spartans’ victory over Ole Miss was a testament to their grit and determination. Early struggles saw Michigan State plagued by turnovers and outmatched in the paint. However, the team showed resilience in the second half, finding key baskets at crucial moments to take control of the game. While Izzo admitted this is not the most talented team he has coached, he praised their unity and commitment to playing as a cohesive unit, which has been the driving force behind their deep tournament run.
Players such as Tre Holloman emphasized their admiration for Izzo’s leadership and competitive spirit, stating that they rally behind him fully. Despite the team’s challenges, Izzo believes they are still improving and sees potential for further growth. Notably, he seems to be enjoying coaching this group more than he has in years, attributing their success to teamwork, selflessness, and a collective desire to win.
In other coaching news, Drake University has announced the hiring of Eric Henderson as its new men’s basketball coach. Henderson, who previously coached South Dakota State, led the Jackrabbits to two NCAA tournament appearances in the last four seasons and secured four Summit League regular-season championships in six years.
Henderson, initially an assistant under T.J. Otzelberger, took over the South Dakota State program in 2019 and maintained a strong track record, including an 18-0 conference season in 2021-22. He replaces Ben McCollum, who recently took the head coaching job at Iowa. Henderson expressed excitement about continuing Drake’s recent success, as the program has made four NCAA tournament appearances in the past five seasons.
Elsewhere, UCLA has secured a significant addition to its roster with the commitment of Donovan Dent, a standout player from New Mexico. Dent, a 6-foot-2 guard, was one of the top players available in the transfer portal and had been strongly linked to Kentucky before choosing the Bruins. The California native earned Mountain West Player of the Year honors after averaging 20.4 points and 6.5 assists per game, ranking among the top 15 players nationally in both categories.
Dent showcased his talents against top-tier competition, delivering standout performances against Arizona State (30 points, 7 assists), VCU (40 points), and Nevada (33 points, 7 assists). He also excelled in the NCAA tournament, scoring 21 points with six assists in a victory over Marquette. With UCLA’s starting point guard Dylan Andrews entering the transfer portal, Dent is expected to step into a leading role for the Bruins next season.
These developments highlight the ever-changing landscape of college basketball, where programs continue to chase historic milestones, legendary coaches push for legacy-defining achievements, and the transfer portal reshapes
rosters in significant ways.
