Tennessee Volunteers guard Zakai Zeigler has etched his name into Southeastern Conference (SEC) history by setting a new single-season assist record. In the Sweet 16 of the 2025 NCAA Tournament, Zeigler surpassed the previous record with his 261st…

In a historic achievement, Zakai Zeigler, the senior point guard for the Tennessee Volunteers, has set a new Southeastern Conference (SEC) single-season assist record. During the Sweet 16 matchup against Kentucky on March 28, 2025, Zeigler recorded his 261st assist of the season, surpassing the previous record of 260 assists set by former Ole Miss guard Sean Tuhoy in the 1979–80 season citeturn0search2.

This milestone adds to Zeigler’s impressive collegiate career, which includes becoming Tennessee’s all-time assist leader and earning SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors citeturn0search3. His exceptional performance has been instrumental in Tennessee’s successful season, positioning them as strong contenders in the NCAA Tournament.

Zeigler’s record-breaking assist came on a lob to teammate Felix Okpara during the first half of the game against Kentucky citeturn0search2. Reflecting on the accomplishment, Zeigler expressed gratitude towards his coaches and teammates, acknowledging their role in his success citeturn0search2.

As Tennessee advances in the tournament, Zeigler’s leadership and playmaking continue to be pivotal in their pursuit of a national championship.

iturn0image1turn0image2turn0image3turn0image5Tennessee Volunteers guard Zakai Zeigler has etched his name into Southeastern Conference (SEC) history by setting a new single-season assist record. In the Sweet 16 of the 2025 NCAA Tournament, Zeigler surpassed the previous record with his 261st assist, achieved on a lob to teammate Felix Okpara during the first half against Kentucky at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis citeturn0search2.

Breaking the Record

The record-breaking assist came early in the game, placing Zeigler ahead of the 1979-80 record held by former Ole Miss guard Sean Tuhoy. This milestone added to Zeigler’s earlier achievement of becoming Tennessee’s all-time assist leader during the tournament’s first round against Wofford citeturn0news13.

Season Highlights

Throughout the 2024-2025 season, Zeigler has been a standout performer for the Vols. Notably, he recorded a career-high 15 assists in a victory over Middle Tennessee State, marking the highest single-game assist total by an SEC player in a non-conference game since 2019 citeturn0search1. His all-around contributions have been instrumental in Tennessee’s success, with averages of 13.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game.

Defensive Prowess

In addition to his offensive achievements, Zeigler was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. His tenacious on-ball defense and leadership have been pivotal in Tennessee’s defensive schemes citeturn0search4.

Looking Ahead

As the Volunteers continue their tournament run, Zeigler’s performance remains a key factor in their pursuit of a national title. His ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor makes him a central figure in Tennessee’s championship aspirations.

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