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Pair Of Tennessee Basketball Players On Pace To Break Program Records | Rocky Top Insider

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Pair Of Tennessee Basketball Players On Pace To Break Program Records | Rocky Top Insider


Zakai Zeigler (5) celebrates a Tennessee score during a game against MTSU at Food City Center. Monday, Dec. 23, 2024. Cole Moore/RTI

Tennessee basketball faces off against Norfolk State on Tuesday afternoon in its finale tuneup before opening up SEC play on Jan. 4 against Arkansas.

A pair of Tennessee stars are chasing program records as things start to get amped up in the new year.

Point guard Zakai Zeigler is on pace to become Tennessee’s single-season assist record holder as well as its career assist record holder.

Through 12 games this season, Zeigler has totaled 99 assists. If he keeps things up at his current rate, Zeigler will finish the regular season with 256 assists. That will be enough to trump Rodney Woods’ 227 assists during the 1974-75 season for the most in a single-season.

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It could be difficult for Zeigler to continue his current pace of 8.2 assists per game. However, Zeigler averaged seven assists per game in SEC play last season which was more than he averaged in non conference play. If Zeigler averages seven assists in SEC play again this season he’ll break the record before the postseason begins.

The senior point guard is also chasing Tennessee’s career assist record. If Zeigler continues at his current pace this season, he’ll conclude the regular season with 728 career assists which would clear Johnny Darden’s 715 career assists for a new program record.

Through 11 games, Zeigler has a 2.60 assist-turnover ratio which would be the eighth best in a single-season in Tennessee history. Zeigler’s 11 turnover game at Louisville is largely dragging down his assist-turnover ratio this season.

More From RTI: Tennessee Basketball Set For New Year’s Eve Clash Before Intriguing SEC Opener

Transfer shooting guard Chaz Lanier is the other Vol chasing down program records and it’s three-point shooting numbers for the talented sharpshooter.

Lanier has made 45 triples so far this season at a 47.4% clip. He’s on pace to finish the regular season with 116 made three-pointers which would leave him two short of Chris Lofton’s single-season program record. Lanier would need to just total three made triples in the postseason to break Lofton’s record.

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Perhaps the most impressive part of Lanier’s pursuit to pass the best three-point shooter in Tennessee’s program history is that he’s on pace to finish the regular season with 62 fewer attempts than Lofton in his record breaking 2007-08 season.

Lanier’s current 47.4% clip would be the second best in a single season in Tennessee history behind Jon Higgins 48.6% clip in 2000-01. However, Higgins made just 53 total triples that season while Lanier has already made 45.

Like Zeigler, the challenge is going to get more-and-more difficult for Lanier as the season progresses. However, Lanier is shooting better against power five opponents to this point in the season.

Zeigler and Lanier resume their record chase as No. 1 Tennessee returns to the court on Tuesday afternoon against Norfolk State. Tipoff is at 3 p.m. ET on Tuesday afternoon at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center. The SEC Network+ is broadcasting the. game.

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Nonprofit rescues 11 ‘emaciated and suffering’ animals from Tennessee property ahead of dangerous cold snap

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Nonprofit rescues 11 ‘emaciated and suffering’ animals from Tennessee property ahead of dangerous cold snap


NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – The Animal Rescue Corps (ARC) is asking for donations after rescuing 11 animals Friday.

ARC said it was contacted by law enforcement in an unidentified rural Tennessee area to rescue five dogs and six cats in what the nonprofit is calling “Operation Cold Snap.”

In the rescue, the nonprofit took in two emaciated Great Danes, three Pit Bulls and six cats. ARC said some of the animals are emaciated and suffering from untreated bite wounds and infections.

The nonprofit said the animals were kept without heat or regular care.

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ARC shared a video of the rescue. In it, you can see the property s in disarray with trash littering the floor and overturned furniture.

This rescue comes just days before Middle Tennessee is expected to see its coldest temperatures of the season.

Now, ARC is asking for donations to help the 11 animals rescued Operation Cold Snap. Those interested in donating can do so on the nonprofit’s website.



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Alex Golesh hires former Tennessee analyst as Auburn’s coordinator

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Alex Golesh hires former Tennessee analyst as Auburn’s coordinator


Alex Golesh was introduced as Auburn’s head coach on Dec. 1. He served as Tennessee’s offensive coordinator and tight ends coach from 2021-22.

Golesh announced the hiring of Jacob Bronowski as Auburn’s special teams coordinator. He served as the Vols’ special teams analyst in 2021 under head coach Josh Heupel. Bronowski was also under Heupel at UCF in 2020 as special teams quality control.

“His track record is outstanding,” Golesh said of Bronowski. “He developed multiple national award contenders, including a Lou Groza Award winner, and has led some of the top special teams units in the country.

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“I saw up close when we worked together before that coach Bronowski understands that special teams can be a championship difference-maker, and he’s proven he can develop elite specialists. He brings exactly the attention to detail and relentless work ethic we need in our program.”

Auburn will play at Tennessee on Oct. 3, 2026.

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Tennessee football’s 2026 schedule complete with opponents, dates

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Tennessee football’s 2026 schedule complete with opponents, dates


Tennessee football will host Lane Kiffin, Alex Golesh and possibly Arch Manning at Neyland Stadium in the 2026 season.

UT’s opponents for the next four seasons were previously announced. On Dec. 11, the SEC released the dates of every conference game, providing the full picture of the 2026 schedule.

Game times and television designations will be announced later.

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Texas will make its first trip ever to Tennessee on Sept. 26. Manning, the Longhorns quarterback, is expected to return for the 2026 season rather than enter the NFL draft. If so, he’ll face the Vols on the home turf of his uncle, legendary quarterback Peyton Manning.

Golesh, the former UT offensive coordinator, is Auburn’s new coach. He will return to Knoxville for an Oct. 3 game.

Alabama will play at Tennessee on Oct. 17, continuing their Third Saturday in October rivalry game.

Kiffin, the polarizing former UT coach, is now coaching LSU after bolting Ole Miss after the regular season ended. He will return to Knoxville for a Nov. 21 game. Three of the five SEC teams visiting Neyland Stadium will have a first-year coach, including Kentucky’s Will Stein on Nov. 7.

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Tennessee will play Alabama, Kentucky and Vanderbilt as annual SEC opponents in the league’s new nine-game conference schedule. Its other six opponents will rotate each season. That means each school will play every SEC opponent home and away every four years.

Tennessee will have one open week on Oct. 31 and thus won’t play on Halloween.

Here is Tennessee’s week-to-week schedule for the 2026 season.

Tennessee football 2026 schedule

  • Sept. 5: Furman
  • Sept. 12: At Georgia Tech
  • Sept. 19: Kennesaw State
  • Sept. 26: Texas*
  • Oct. 3: Auburn*
  • Oct. 10: At Arkansas*
  • Oct. 17: Alabama*
  • Oct. 24: At South Carolina*
  • Oct. 31: Open
  • Nov. 7: Kentucky*
  • Nov. 14: At Texas A&M*
  • Nov. 21: LSU*
  • Nov. 28: At Vanderbilt*

*SEC game

Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.

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