Defeating the Auburn Tigers inside Neville Arena has become one of the toughest challenges in men’s college basketball.
Tennessee came excruciatingly close Saturday night.
Zakai Zeigler missed a 3-point attempt with eight seconds remaining as the No. 1 Tigers escaped the No. 6 Volunteers 53-51. Miles Kelly put the Tigers up 52-51 with a 3-pointer with 30 seconds to play, and Tahaad Pettiford made one of two free throws for Auburn with 12.7 seconds left before Tennessee called a timeout with 9.4 seconds remaining to set up a play.
“It was Zakai’s call,” Tennessee coach Rick Barnes said afterward on the Vol Network. “I told him that we were putting it in his hands, and we knew we would be getting it to him right there. He had been very effective in the second half attacking from the sideline, and he had the choice to shoot it or drive it with Felix (Okpara) down there.
“We knew they were going to look to try to take Chaz (Lanier) out up top, but I have no problem with what Zakai did. I would ride with him every night. He got a great look at that shot.”