Talk about a performance to remember for Tennessee basketball sharpshooter Chaz Lanier. Before he's off to the NBA next season, Lanier still has the SEC Tournament and the NCAA Tournament to perform well in. So far, so good for him there.
On Friday, Tennessee was able to take down Texas 83-72, pulling away in the second half. Next up, a showdown with Auburn is on the way Saturday in the semifinals. Before we shift our focus to that contest, can we sit back and appreciate the performance from Lanier against the Longhorns?
Seriously, Lanier was downright sensational, especially in the first half. In the first 20 minutes of action, Lanier scored 19 points, going 8-of-11 from the floor. On the day, he posted a game-high 23 points for the Vols in the head-turning win over Texas. Take a bow, young man.
Chaz Lanier and Zakai Zeigler were downright electric for the Tennessee Vols in the win over Texas
This is the kind of performance that will only give Lanier plenty of confidence with some big games coming up. On Saturday, there's no question that Lanier will have to be at his best for an upset to be recorded, but fans sure are feeling good about Lanier having another great performance. They're indeed showing him a lot of love right now:
It kinda looks like Barnes finally cut the leash he had on Chaz Lanier.
— Logan🍊 (@LoganTheVol) March 14, 2025
He’s just letting him hoop & it’s showing how elite he truly is. pic.twitter.com/y5BctMRH7u
chaz lanier, certified bucket
— trevan (@trevanvia) March 14, 2025
chaz lanier is hooping today #GBO 🍊🍊🍊
— Det. Del Spooner (@Atta_Boy_Roy) March 14, 2025
Chaz Lanier 🔥🔥
— Demetrius Martin (@Big_Play6ix) March 14, 2025
Ayo Chaz Lanier KILLIN
— Tongue (@DJ_Jordan) March 14, 2025
Not to be dramatic but every person who voted for Wade Taylor over Chaz Lanier for first team All-SEC should be in jail.
— Scott Harvey (@Scarveydent) March 14, 2025
While Lanier slowed down a bit in the second half, it doesn't take away from the fact that this dude was a literal walking bucket against Texas. Rick Barnes was waiting for his upperclassmen to deliver like this and Lanier went ahead and took charge. He wasn't the only one.
In the second half, stud point guard Zakai Zeigler took over, putting on a show himself. Zeigler drilled several big shots, which is something we've grown used to seeing out of him. Not only that, but he also became Tennessee's single-season assists leader in the win as well. After going scoreless in the first half, he finished with 19 points. Just unreal from ZZ.
Talk about a memorable day all around for this team. Things will only get better if Tennessee can take down Auburn on Saturday to punch its ticket to Sunday's final. If that ends up happening, you already know Zeigler and Lanier will be largely responsible for that.