Vols PG Zeigler out for top-10 matchup vs

Jeff BorzelloFeb 1, 2025, 10:18 AM ET

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• Basketball recruiting insider.
• Signed up with ESPN in 2014.
• Graduate of University of Delaware.Tennessee point guard Zakai Zeigler will not

  bet Florida in Saturday’s top-10 match, coach Rick Barnes told ESPN’s Pete Thamel.Zeigler left Tuesday’s game versus Kentucky with an ideal knee injury, however he came back to start the 2nd half and completed the game. The senior missed out on practice Thursday and was noted as questionable on the SEC injury report.One of the best point guards in the country, Zeigler has been a catalyst for the Volunteers at both ends of the court, averaging 12.3 points, 7.4 helps and 2.1 steals per game. He has actually started 67 games over the past 3 seasons.With Zeigler sidelined, Tennessee will likely have to turn to 6th male Jordan Gainey to initiate the offense.

  A natural shooting guard, Gainey is averaging 10.8 points per game off the bench.Tennessee beginning forward Igor Milicic Jr. is battling a disease and also will not play in Saturday’s game, a school spokesperson told ESPN.Former Hofstra transfer Darlinstone Dubar is beginning in place of Milicic, who is balancing 10.4 points and 8.1 rebounds this season.Without Zeigler and Milicic, the Volunteers are down to seven scholarship players.Tennessee, which was ranked No. 1 in the country after winning its very first 14 games, has actually lost 4 of its past seven games– including 2 in a row to Auburn and Kentucky.The No. 8 Volunteers( 17-4, 4-4 SEC)host No. 5 Florida (18-2, 5-2 SEC)at midday ET Saturday

  (ESPN).