NCAAM 2/15 Recap: Villanova Takes Down Providence In Close Game 84-89
Tennessee’s freshmen point guards Kennedy Chandler and Zakai Zeigler continued their outstanding seasons Tuesday night, combining for 31 points, 10 assists and just three turnovers in the Vols’ win over No. 4 Kentucky.
The Vols have turned their season around since their 28-point loss at Kentucky and the duo’s progression has been key in Tennessee’s development.
In fact, both Zeigler and Chandler rank amongst the nation’s top freshmen after the recent streak.
According to college basketball advanced analytics expert Evan Miyakawa, Chandler ranks as the No. 3 freshman in the country while Zeigler comes in at No. 16.
Duke is the only team with more players (three) in the top 20 freshmen rankings while Gonzaga, Memphis and Dayton match the Vols with two.
Chandler — a Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Finalist — is averaging 13.3 points, 4.9 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game. It’s the defense that has the Memphis native so high on Miyakawa’s list of top freshmen.
The former five-star has a 33.5 DBPR (Defensive Bayesian Performance Rating), the highest of any freshman.
Chandler’s play — specifically his defense — has turned a corner since the Vols loss at Texas.
“The best thing is what he’s doing on the defensive end,” Barnes said of Chandler. “That alone has changed Kennedy. I would say this not just about him but any player, when you go in a game and you get lost in the defensive end, instinctively your offense will take care of itself. He has worked extremely hard since the Texas game. He is making a real conscientious effort to stay locked in defensively. He’s gotten so much better moving without the basketball. I think that’s instincts. I think that when he really loses himself on the defensive end, and I would say that about anybody. That’s where he’s gotten so much better.”
Zeigler coming in at No. 16 on the list is extremely impressive considering he scored in double-digits just twice in the first 14 games. However, the New York native has turned a corner since the first meeting with Kentucky.
The 5-foot-9 guard has scored in double-digits seven of the eight games since and is averaging 14.75 points in Tennessee’s last four games.
Zeigler’s development has completely changed Tennessee’s offense and its potential as the Vols’ backcourt is forming into one of the SEC’s best.
