Not 1 but 2: Tennessee has pair of nation’s top defenders for March Madness
Tennessee guard Jahmai Mashack (15) chases a loose ball against Wofford during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 20, 2025, in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Brynn Anderson]
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Mindset, approach and toughness all are qualities a top defender must have in any sport. Add in long arms and speed, and that player can be quite a stopper. The Tennessee Volunteers have not one, but two such defenders in Zakai Zeigler and Jahmai Mashack. Both were among the four finalists for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award announced Friday by the Atlanta Tipoff Club. That makes the Midwest Region’s No. 2 seed the only program with two of four finalists. Creighton center Ryan Kalkbrenner also is a finalist playing at Rupp Arena in the South Region.
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Wofford's Luke Flynn (4) passes the ball away from the defense of Tennessee's Zakai Zeigler (5) during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament in Lexington, Ky., Thursday, March 20, 2025. (AP Photo/James Crisp)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/James Crisp