Tennessee Advances to SEC Tournament Semifinals with 83-72 Win Over Texas
The Tennessee Volunteers secured a spot in the SEC Tournament semifinals with a convincing 83-72 victory over the Texas Longhorns. This win sets up a rematch against Auburn, while Texas is left to anxiously await their NCAA Tournament fate.
The game was a tale of two halves, with Tennessee dominating the first half behind Chaz Lanier’s impressive 19 points in 17 minutes. Lanier’s efficiency was remarkable, shooting 8-for-11 from the field and 2-for-3 from three-point range. The rest of the Vols struggled from deep, going 1-for-11 in the half.
In the second half, Zakai Zeigler took center stage, scoring 19 points on 6-for-7 shooting from the floor. This dynamic duo of Lanier and Zeigler proved too much for the Longhorns to handle, as Tennessee cruised to a comfortable win.
Lanier led all scorers with 23 points, while Zeigler finished with 19. Jahmai Mashack and Igor Milicic Jr. also contributed double-digit points for the Vols. For Texas, Jordan Pope and Kadin Shedrick led the way with 14 points each, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Tennessee’s balanced attack.
The victory sets up a semifinal showdown between Tennessee and Auburn, who edged the Vols 53-51 in their previous meeting. Auburn is poised to secure a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, but Tennessee will look to capitalize on the Tigers’ recent inconsistencies.
Meanwhile, Texas is left to sweat out their NCAA Tournament bubble status. According to ESPN’s Joe Lunardi, the Longhorns were the last team in the bracket heading into Friday’s action. However, with only three spots available for a group of five bubble teams, Texas’s fate remains uncertain. The Longhorns will have to anxiously await the selection committee’s decision on Sunday.
Key Takeaways:
Tennessee defeats Texas 83-72 to advance to the SEC Tournament semifinals.
Chaz Lanier and Zakai Zeigler combine for 42 points to lead the Vols.
Texas’s NCAA Tournament bubble status remains uncertain.
Tennessee will face Auburn in the semifinals, seeking revenge for their earlier loss.
