Tennessee’s memorable season comes to a close with a 72-66 loss to Purdue in the Elite Eight round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament. Despite a 37-point performance from Tennessee’s Dalton Knecht, the Boilermakers were able to find the victory behind 40 points from Zach Edey.
While Tennessee fell short of the Final Four, the Vols did advance to the Elite Eight for just the second time in program history and the first time in the Rick Barnes era.
Tennessee’s season officially ends with an SEC Player of the Year award for Dalton Knecht, an SEC Player of the Year award for Zakai Zeigler, an SEC regular season championship, and a trip to the Elite Eight in the final game for four Tennessee seniors: Knecht, Santiago Vescovi, Josiah-Jordan James, and Colin Coyne.
Check out some of the top social media reactions after the game below. Additionally, check out RTI’s series of postgame content from the Tennessee-Purdue game on Sunday afternoon in the NCAA Tournament on the way.
More from RTI: Three Quick Takeaways as Tennessee’s Season Ends At Hands Of Purdue In Elite Eight
More from RTI: WATCH: Rick Barnes, Tennessee Players React to Season-Ending Loss to Purdue
More from RTI: Tennessee’s Dalton Knecht Was The Perfect Superstar, He Won’t Soon Be Forgotten
No moment was too big for Dalton Knecht. He was a scoring sensation but never made it about himself. Always more eager to credit his teammates than himself and never too busy to give a young fan an autograph.
On Dalton Knecht, a perfect superstar.https://t.co/AEXr1ZfiMX
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) April 1, 2024
Josiah-Jordan James and Rick Barnes after the postgame press conference.
James' final game in a Tennessee uniform.
(Photo via NCAA Press Conference) pic.twitter.com/EYKOj3EuBI
— Ric Butler (@Ric_Butler) March 31, 2024
Dalton Knecht on Rick Barnes: “I would say it’s by far the closest I’ve ever had to be with a coach. … I love him to death, and I can’t thank him enough for bringing me in for my one year here.”https://t.co/yimmVJ3wVu
— Ryan Schumpert (@rschump00) March 31, 2024
That’s where Tennessee being the top 2 seed but somehow not drawing the bottom 1 seed really hurt.
— Reed Carringer (@ReedCarringer) March 31, 2024
Dalton Knecht finishes his only season at Tennessee with the 2nd-most points in a season in school history and finishes in the top 10 in both threes and FGs made.
Also finishes with the most points scored in a NCAAT game in school history.
Best one-year career for a Vol EVER.
— Nathanael Rutherford (@Mr_Rutherford) March 31, 2024
Hard to put into words what this season was like with this team. One of the most enjoyable years I’ve ever had. Great players, great men. Makes what I do worth while! This group will go down as one of the greatest in our program’s history! A lot to be proud of! #SECChamps #Elite8
— Chris Walker (@cwalk8432) March 31, 2024
Hell of a run… proud of this team. Been fighters all year long and man… some of the best guys to be around. Have had an impact on our staff, my family, and myself that will last a lifetime. They deserve to be showered with love. Thank you #VolNation
All Love! 🧡🤍
— Rod Clark (@CoachRodC_UT) March 31, 2024
NSFW – Extreme Violence pic.twitter.com/Y9VqbzSiU8
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) March 31, 2024
Summary of Tennessee vs Purdue for those who are missing it.
Edey: takes step
Refs: pic.twitter.com/VfMzQtt6RT— Hunter Price (@CoachHPrice) March 31, 2024
Only fitting that this is how our run comes to an end.
NCAA vs Tennessee continues… pic.twitter.com/BS6GCQl7HM
— Barstool Rocky Top (@BarstoolTenn) March 31, 2024
All the love for DK tonight!!! pic.twitter.com/dANTr2A1J5
— anthebaker (@anthebaker) April 1, 2024
Arguably the greatest to ever do it at Tennessee.
Thank you @DaltonKnecht3 🧡 pic.twitter.com/TuvljX3fsN
— Vol Report (@AllVolReport) March 31, 2024
The fix is in against #Tennessee. pic.twitter.com/QXREdsBigw
— Message Board Geniuses (@BoardGeniuses) March 31, 2024
Dalton Knecht finished the NCAA tournament with 104 total points scored, that is a Tennessee record for most points scored in the NCAA tournament by a player. pic.twitter.com/JPEG4UWi3b
— Jordan Moore (@jordanmoore_21) March 31, 2024
Tennessee player slightly touches Zach Edey
Refs: pic.twitter.com/UBlaNZAkES
— Cameron Kudlik (@KudlikCameron) March 31, 2024
America watching Zach Edey play basketball @MarkTitusShow pic.twitter.com/vjEvtD6dMB
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) March 31, 2024
Edey elbowing his defender put of the way for a rebound and not getting called?
You dont say pic.twitter.com/EoWqyPbfix
— NembySzn(Redux) (@TylerLaFrance) March 31, 2024
Weird, because I’m not even mad after looking at so many other fanbases agree that he never gets fouls called on him.
I’m ok with losing. It’s a part of sports. But, that wasn’t basketball.
I hope Tennessee players hold their head high. This team set a new standard.
— Alfred F Kennedy Jr 🟧Vols🟧🇺🇸 (@GHRadio_Mavrick) March 31, 2024
Food for thought: free throws VS Tennessee
Zach Edey: 22
Ryan Kalkbrenner: 3— Barstool Bluejays (@BarstoolJays) March 31, 2024
Zach Edey is making me root for Tennessee
This is disgusting
— Nick Perkins (@NickyPerkss) March 31, 2024
That was a terrific season for Tennessee. SEC champions and an Elite 8 appearance. Sucks that they couldn’t get to the Final 4 but those are really good kids that BATTLED.
— Mark Nagi (@MarkNagi) March 31, 2024
Great player. Great coach. Great program. #EverythingSchool #GBO 🍊 https://t.co/YZjVMH43fL
— Danny White (@AD_DannyWhite) March 31, 2024
