Zakai Zeigler got on his phone as soon as Saint Peter’s popped on the screen as Tennessee basketball’s first-round opponent in the 2024 NCAA Tournament.
Zeigler’s half-brother, Armoni Zeigler, is a freshman guard for the Peacocks so it will be a family matter in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Thursday.
He was ecstatic,” Vols forward Tobe Awaka said of Zakai Zeigler’s reaction. “Those two have an incredible bond.”
The Vols (24-8) earned a No. 2 seed for the NCAA Tournament and will face No. 15 Saint Peter’s (19-13) on Thursday (9:20 p.m. ET, TNT) in Charlotte, as part of the Midwest Region.
The Vols knew matching up with Saint Peter’s was an option going into the selection show Sunday. Guard Santiago Vescovi said the Vols were joking about it earlier Sunday.
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Then it happened.
“I think it is going to be a great moment for both of them,” Vescovi said. “It is a game they will both enjoy playing against each other. You don’t get to see that very often. His reaction, like everybody just started yelling in the locker room. He got on his phone right away probably with him. Very fun moment.
Armoni Zeigler averages 6.4 points in 19 minutes per game for the Peacocks. Zakai Zeigler lived with Armoni, Armoni’s mom and stepfather for a few months during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Zakai Zeigler is averaging 11.9 points and 5.2 assists per game. He is shooting 40.4% from the field and 35.2% on 3-pointers.
Will Zakai Zeigler guard Armoni Zeigler in March Madness?
Zakai Zeigler was named the SEC defensive player of the year this season and was named to the All-SEC defensive team for the third straight season.
But the 5-foot-9 Zeigler is deferring to his teammates to guard his half-brother, who is 6-foot-4.
“I told him I was like you are going to have to guard your brother,” Vescovi said. “He was like, ‘No, you’ve got him.'”
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Saint Peter’s was one of two schools to offer Zakai Zeigler before his recruitment took off in July 2021. The Peacocks extended Zeigler a commit-or-lose-it offer, which Bryant did previously. He
But the Peacocks ended up with Armoni Zeigler two years later and now will pit the half-siblings against each other in the NCAA Tournament.
Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on Twitter @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.
