NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — In an exhilarating showdown, Zakai Zeigler led the No. 8 Tennessee Volunteers to a hard-fought victory against the third-ranked Auburn Tigers, securing a 70-65 win on Saturday. This victory allows Tennessee to advance to the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Tournament championship for the first time since 2022. The fourth-seeded Volunteers, boasting a record of 27-6, achieved a measure of revenge against Auburn, having previously lost to them on January 25 and also in the 2019 tournament title game.
Tennessee is set to face off against the fourth-ranked Florida Gators, who decisively defeated No. 5 Alabama with a score of 104-82 in their semifinal match. This championship clash is highly anticipated, as both teams are likely to earn No. 1 seeds in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, a fitting recognition for their performances in what is widely regarded as the nation's top league.
In the semifinal matchup, Zeigler showcased his prowess by scoring 20 points, supported by Jordan Gainey with 15 points and Chaz Lanier contributing 12 points. On the other hand, the Tigers, with a season record of 28-5, faced a tough ending to their campaign, having lost three of their last four games. Johni Broome, the SEC Player of the Year, led Auburn with 23 points, while Miles Kelly and Denver Jones added 13 and 10 points, respectively.
The game was tightly contested, with Auburn leading 33-32 at halftime after a late 10-0 run. However, the momentum shifted in favor of Tennessee, who never trailed after a decisive 13-1 run that put them ahead 60-49, capped off by a crucial three-pointer from Zeigler with 7:17 remaining on the clock. One of the standout statistics from the game was Tennessee's exceptional performance at the free-throw line, where they converted 25 of 27 attempts, including 18 of 20 in the second half. In contrast, Auburn managed only 13 of 22 free throws, with Jahmai Mashack sealing the victory by sinking two free throws with just 14 seconds left.
This victory marks Tennessee's fourth appearance in the SEC Tournament finals over the past seven tournaments. Under the guidance of head coach Rick Barnes, who achieved his 833rd career victory, the Volunteers have a tournament record of 12-8. They previously clinched the championship in Tampa in 2022 and faced defeats in the title games of both 2018 and 2019.
As for Auburn, they will now await the announcement of their NCAA Tournament placement on Sunday. With hopes of reclaiming their former glory, the Tigers are determined to bounce back from this semifinal setback. Notably, Tennessee had a split record against Florida during the regular season, adding another layer of excitement to their upcoming championship game.
