Zakai Zeigler takes next step in legal push to return to Tennessee next season

The thought of the Tennessee basketball team taking the floor without Zakai Zeigler is something that fans don't even want to think about. Luckily, Zeigler has filed a lawsuit in an attempt to be given a fifth and final year of college eligibility.

When this news dropped earlier in the month, people were quite surprised, but also relieved. According to reporter Mike Wilson, Zeigler's case is taking the next step, as there's now a hearing coming on Friday, June 6 over 'his motion for a preliminary injunction.' Could some good news potentially be on the way for the veteran point guard?

Zakai Zeigler is hoping to receive a fifth and final year with the Tennessee Vols

Soon enough, the hope is that a final answer will arrive for Zeigler, who has meant so much to the Vols and Rick Barnes over the past four years. Barnes and Zeigler have become quite close - there's no doubt Barnes wants his playmaker back on the hardwood for him next year.

Zeigler is coming off another strong season with the Vols, highlighted by a trip to the SEC Tournament title game and an Elite Eight berth. The standout guard was also named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive campaign.

On Senior Night, both Zeigler and Barnes were in tears as they said goodbye to one another for the last home game in Knoxville. However, while things are a bit unknown, the door has at least opened up a little bit for ZZ to make a shocking return to the program.

There are obviously still a lot of moving parts here, but countless people all over Tennessee are going to be keeping a close eye on Zeigler's case moving forward. If he's successful, might it lead to Jordan Gainey returning for one more year too? That'd certainly be on the table for Barnes and the Vols, who have been incredibly busy this offseason adding new pieces.