The standout player for Week 8 in men’s college basketball has been named, and it is Zakai Zeigler from Tennessee.
In his team’s only matchup last week, the 5-foot-9 guard delivered an impressive performance, scoring 17 points and grabbing 15 rebounds while also dishing out four assists during Tennessee’s convincing 82-64 victory over Middle Tennessee.
This remarkable assist total ranks as the fifth highest in the program’s history and marks the first time since 1987 that such a feat has been achieved.
Furthermore, Zeigler has become the first player from the Southeastern Conference in two decades to secure a 15-point and 15-assist game during a non-conference regulation matchup.
Currently, he averages 11.8 points per game and stands seventh nationally with an impressive 8.2 assists per game.
Following this achievement, the Tennessee Volunteers have maintained their position at the top of the AP Top 25 for the fourth consecutive week.

In the runner-up position is Bruce Thornton from Ohio State.
The 6-foot-2 junior guard notched a career-high 33 points in a dominant 103-83 win over Indiana State, just a week after he tallied 30 points in an 85-65 triumph against then-No. 4 Kentucky.
Against Indiana State, Thornton displayed efficient shooting, making 11 of 16 attempts, including connecting on 4 of 7 from beyond the arc.
Additionally, he was successful on 7 of 8 free-throw attempts and pulled down six rebounds.
Currently, Thornton is averaging 17.4 points per game while showcasing a remarkable 49% shooting rate from three-point range.

Honorable mentions for this week include Donald Hand Jr. from Boston College, Mason Falslev from Utah State, and Deywilk Tavarez from Charleston.

Keep an eye on Jacksen Moni from North Dakota State, who is also making waves this season.
The 6-foot-10 senior forward put up 28 points and handed out five assists in a 94-60 victory over Cal State Bakersfield.
Moni demonstrated strong shooting skills, hitting 8 of 12 shots from the field and finishing 11 of 14 at the charity stripe.
He is currently second in scoring within the Summit League, averaging 18.5 points per game.
The North Dakota State Bison have been on a roll, winning eight straight games before their upcoming conference opener against St. Thomas on Thursday.