Tennessee basketball turned in a complete performance as they routed Syracuse 96-70 in the SEC-ACC Challenge to stay unbeaten on the young season.
The Vols shot poorly from deep in the first half but found ways to produce offense anyway before getting a second half shooting explosion. Here’s three quick takeaways on the victory.
Vols Offense Explodes Despite Slow Shooting Start
Tennessee basketball has been a stout three-point shooting team but came out ice cold against the Orange, missing its first seven triples on its way to a two-of-15 three-point shooting display in the first half.
But despite cold shooting, Tennessee found success offensively and scored 45 first half points. The Vols had more success attacking the pain than they had in any game besides the Austin Peay game.
Both Felix Okpara and Cade Phillips were stout around the rim, combining for 20 points in the game. Phillips came out red-hot, making his first six shots and scored 10 points in his first stint in the game before finishing with 12 points.
The second half was a different story as Tennessee caught fire from deep. Tennessee hit eight-of-14 second half three-point attempts to finish the game shooting 34% from deep.
Combine those factors with eight turnovers, its second lowest of the season, with a balanced offensive showing and Tennessee scored 96 points and the offense was working even when shots weren’t falling. That’s an encouraging sign for a team built to shoot the ball well from deep.
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Zakai Zeigler In Control
Tennessee point guard Zakai Zeigler’s early season theme of flirting with but coming up just short of a double-double continued against the Orange as he scored 14 points to go along with eight assists.
Whether Syracuse was in man or zone, Zeigler was in complete control for Tennessee’s offense. He got to the middle of the court frequently where he did a fantastic job of finding both Okpara and Phillips for lobs off of baseline dives.
Zeigler turned it over three times while dishing out his eight assists with one turnover coming in the second half when he got too greedy with a transition alley oop attempt.
The senior point guard wasn’t overly efficient shooting the basketball but made five-of-11 shots from the field and three-of-eight three-point range. Zeigler hit both of Tennessee’s three-pointers in the first half, helping the Vols plod along offensively.
Zeigler was his normal elite self on the defensive end while totaling four steals. The senior point guard has been good so far this season. He was great against Syracuse.
Dominant Showing From The Transfers
Tennessee’s three starting transfers have been good for them all season but as expected that group keeps getting better as they play more minutes together. All three of Chaz Lanier, Igor Milicic Jr and Okpara were great against Syracuse.
Lanier had a quiet 26 points, scoring 11 points in the first half despite not making a three pointer. The transfer shooting guard got it going from deep in the second half as he made four triples including back-to-back ones in the second half when Tennessee pushed its lead to a game-high 31.
Milicic keeps being every bit as good a rebounder as Tennessee hoped when they added him in the transfer portal this offseason. He totaled 10 rebounds which marked his third time with double-digit boards in eight games. Milcic wasn’t his best offensively but still addd 11 points.
Okpara played perhaps the best game of his Tennessee career, scoring eight points, grabbing seven rebounds and blocking a shot. He didn’t do anything spectacular but was more comfortable offensively and was just solid all night.
Final Stats
Up Next
Tennessee is off for another week before returning to the court next Tuesday night against Miami at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Tipoff between the Vols and Hurricanes is at 6:30 p.m. ET and ESPN is broadcasting the game.
