Just like that, the season is over for the Tennessee basketball team. The hope was that the Final Four dream would be reached, but the Houston Cougars made sure that wouldn't happen, as the No. 1 seed posted a 69-50 win on Sunday afternoon.
With that, this fantastic senior class has officially played in their final game for Rick Barnes and Tennessee. The list of course includes standout point guard Zakai Zeigler, who set multiple Tennessee and SEC records this season.
As you might have been able to guess, the veteran guard was quite emotional following the loss to Houston. At the same time, he delivered quite the message when discussing what playing for this program and Barnes has meant to him:
“This has been the best four years of my life. Knoxville will be my home the rest of my life. No ups and downs. Just ups. Vol Nation, I love you. Thank you.”
— Vol Report (@AllVolReport) March 30, 2025
- Zakai Zeigler after playing his last game ever at Tennessee 🧡 pic.twitter.com/y0HNEgfKRK
Zakai Zeigler will always cherish his time playing for the Tennessee Vols
If you're fighting back tears after seeing those words from Zeigler, you're not alone. It's honestly such a shame that he wasn't able to play in the Final Four. Tennessee was indeed hoping to make history by being among the last four standing, but Houston is the one still alive.
Regardless, Zeigler played in the Sweet Sixteen three times and helped power the Vols to the Elite Eight in back-to-back seasons. He also helped the Vols win an SEC regular season title and a conference tournament too.
He was born to dish out stellar assists, which was on full display this campaign. He's the all-time assists leader and he was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year in two consecutive years. He was also a Third Team All-American in 2024-25. It's really hard to find the right words to describe how great of a stud he's been for Barnes.
Those two have an unreal bond - one that won't end just because Zeigler is done suiting up for him in Knoxville. Over the past four seasons, Zeigler has meant so much to this program and not having him around the locker room anymore just doesn't feel right. He'll always be remembered as a Vols great and nothing will change that.