Rick Barnes Praises Tennessee’s Offensive Performance in Win Over Oklahoma
Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes was pleased with his team’s offensive display in Saturday’s 70-52 victory over Oklahoma. The Volunteers shot an impressive 60.4% from the field, fueled by a dominant 45-point first half. This strong showing followed their explosive 57-point second half against Missouri on Wednesday.
“We put together two of our best offensive halves of the season—the second half against Missouri and the first half today,” Barnes said postgame.
Chaz Lanier and Zakai Zeigler played key roles in Tennessee’s offensive success, combining for 38 points. Lanier led all scorers with 21, proving his ability to knock down tough shots. Barnes noted that Lanier’s early contested shots found the mark, while some of his later, more open attempts didn’t fall, calling basketball a “crazy game.”
Zeigler delivered an outstanding performance, shooting 6-of-8 from the floor, including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. He also recorded a game-high nine assists. Barnes praised Zeigler’s recent play, emphasizing his ability to manage the game effectively.
With three consecutive wins, Tennessee improves to 20-4 overall and 7-4 in SEC play. The Volunteers will look to maintain their momentum when they travel to face Kentucky on Tuesday.
