Tennessee basketball, Zakai Zeigler beat Auburn, advance to SEC tournament title game

NASHVILLE − In the middle of a championship-level run, Zakai Zeigler smirked.

The Tennessee basketball guard watched Chaz Lanier’s midrange jumper snap the net. He watched Lanier jog past him and he had all the good feelings that the Vols could possibly possess Saturday in a game that looked and played out like a Final Four battle.

Zeigler starred against No. 1 seed Auburn and the No. 4 seed Vols will play for an SEC tournament title again after their 70-65 win at Bridgestone Arena. They will face No. 2 seed Florida (29-4) on Sunday (1 p.m. ET, ESPN).

Zeigler had 20 points for the Vols (27-6), who got revenge on the Tigers (28-5) after a 53-51 loss on Jan. 25. Jordan Gainey scored 15 points. Darlinstone Dubar contributed six key points off the bench.

Tennessee was great at the free-throw line

Jahmai Mashack of Tennessee made a pair of free throws with 14 seconds to seal the win.

The Vols shot 25-for-27 at the free-throw line in a tight game, holding a major edge over the Tigers. Auburn was 12-for-22 at the free-throw line. Tennessee’s 25 made free throws were a season high.

It was the fourth time this season Tennessee has shot better the 90% at the free-throw line.

Chaz Lanier has stepped up his overall play in March

Lanier raced behind Auburn guard Denver Jones to block his shot with 9:18 to play. The transfer guard has flashed complete performances in the SEC tournament beyond 3-point shooting.

The senior scored well in the midrange against Texas and Auburn. He also fought defensively and competed on the glass. His 3-point shooting remains his biggest asset, but he was consistently a three-level scorer and a force all over the court in Nashville.

Lanier hit a jumper that capped an 8-0 run as Tennessee took a 55-48 lead in the second half. the Tigers rallied back and got within two before Tennessee pulled away.

It was a different version of Tennessee vs Auburn to start

Tennessee had 20 points halftime against Auburn on Jan. 25. The Vols hit the mark with a Zeigler layup at the 11:16 mark Saturday.

The Vols and Tigers came out clicking offensively, flipping the script from the first game this season. Both teams made their first four field goals with a combined five 3-pointers in those eight field goals. The scoring remained frantic for the first 10 minutes before slowing in the latter half of the first period.

UT trailed 33-32 at halftime.