Dalton Knecht’s lone season in Knoxville was one of the best in Tennessee history.
He was a scoring sensation, averaging over 20 points per game including eight 30-plus point performances and a 40-point performance.
Knecht one SEC Player of the Year honors and was a consensus First Team All-American. He was integral in Tennessee winning the SEC Regular-Season Championship outright and making it to the Elite Eight for the second time in program history.
It was a special season for Knecht. Ranking his 10 best moments.
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10. The Michigan State Hammer
I can only speak for myself about my expectations for Dalton Knecht. He was clearly a talented player and a great shooter when we got to watch Tennessee practice.
He scored at all three levels at Northern Colorado and I figured his shooting would translate to the SEC. I was uncertain whether he’d be athletic enough to be a consistent scoring threat at the basket.
Knecht made it clear early that he was plenty athletic. He scored 28 points in an exhibition win at Michigan State and dropped an unbelievable dunk on Malik Hall.
holy moly
pic.twitter.com/qX7xf6VFeK— Tennessee Basketball (@Vol_Hoops) October 29, 2023
9. The 40-Point Performance Versus Kentucky
Tennessee’s home loss against Kentucky was one of its most disappointing of the entire season. But it wouldn’t have been competitive if it weren’t for Knecht’s massive performance.
He scored 19 of the Vols’ 29 points in the first half and went for 40 points for the only time all season. Knecht scored 40 of Tennessee’s 81 points in the Vols’ four-point loss.
6’6 SR Dalton Knecht vs Kentucky..
40 PTS (14-29 FG, 6-15 3PT)
4 REBS
1 STLSIs he NBA ready?? pic.twitter.com/CTalGeJpCG
— Frankie Vision (@Frankie_Vision) March 10, 2024
8. A Humble 24 Points At Wisconsin
Compared to a lot of his scoring totals, Dalton Knecht’s 24 points at Wisconsin wasn’t crazy. But in the Vols’ second game of the regular season it was further proof that Knecht raised this team’s ceiling.
It was an efficient 24 points from Knecht, making eight-of-15 shots from the field. He also got the job done in closing time, making isolation buckets that put Wisconsin away. It was an impressive early season road win that gave signs that Tennessee was improved this season.
Knecht leads No. 9 Tennessee to road victory
The Vols improved to 2-0 with win at Wisconsin. Dalton Knecht was a problem for the Badgers defense going for 24 points and 5 rebounds.
Tennessee’s offense has looked great so far scoring 80 points in each of their first two games. pic.twitter.com/CZ25nqy0Yc
— Jacob Rhymer (@Rhymetime05) November 13, 2023
7. A SEC Championship Clinching Victory
Knecht went for 26 points in a SEC Championship clinching victory at South Carolina including a 9-0 run late in the first half as the Vols opened up their lead.
The shooting guard made five triples and scored 26 of the Vols’ 66 points in the win.
Dalton Knecht Full Game Highlights in Tennessee’s win over South Carolina (26 Points)
– Averaging 20.7 PPG this season pic.twitter.com/3Fc4VWLAAF
— fabfiveroff (@fabfiveroff) March 8, 2024
6. A Dean Dome Record Tying Performance
Tennessee fell behind big early at North Carolina but became clawing back behind what might have been Knecht’s most efficient performance of the season.
He scored 37 points on 13-of-17 shooting from the field. He tied the Dean Dome opposing player scoring record. If it weren’t for an injury he suffered with 1:39 remaining he would have broken the record.
Dalton Knecht at #17 North Carolina:
37 PTS*
13-17 FG
4-8 3FG
6 REB
3 AST
2 BLK*tied for the most points ever by a visiting player at the Dean E. Smith Center pic.twitter.com/JHSKr4JRUo
— Tennessee Basketball (@Vol_Hoops) November 30, 2023
5. Snow Game Superstar
It was a half empty Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center when Florida came to Knoxville amidst one of the city’s biggest snowstorms in the last 30 years.
Knecht made it worthwhile for those that made it to the arena. He scored 20 points in the final 7:05 of the first half and 39 points on 13-of-23 shooting from the field.
Tennessee’s Dalton Knecht dropped 39 points tonight against Florida.
Knecht has scored a total of 93 points over his last three games 😳 pic.twitter.com/wbnV1nY0xB
— B/R Hoops (@brhoops) January 17, 2024
4. Knecht Saves Tennessee At Georgia
Tennessee was 1-1 in SEC play when it went to Georgia in mid January. The Vols trailed by 11 points late in the second half before Knecht scored nine of Tennessee’s final 15 points in a ferocious late game comeback.
He went for 36 points on 12-of-20 shooting from the field.
then Dalton Knecht gave Georgia 36🪿🪿 https://t.co/pPx0nNEB1n pic.twitter.com/YdxWHr22oa
— 🪼. (@juerter) January 17, 2024
3. Knecht Goes Down Fighting
Tennessee’s season ended in the Elite Eight against Purdue but Knecht lived up to the moment. He went head-to-head with Zach Edey and scored 37 points on 14-of-31 shooting from the field.
It wasn’t enough but Knecht’s last performance in a Tennessee uniform was a special one.
Dalton Knecht vs Purdue today..
37 PTS (14-31 FG, 6-12 3PT)
3 REBS
1 AST
1 STLBro had an incredible season… how we feeling.. we thinking top 10 LOCK?? pic.twitter.com/8mDauNEQWb
— Frankie Vision (@Frankie_Vision) March 31, 2024
2. Knecht Propels Tennessee To The Elite Eight
Before the Purdue game, Knecht helped lead Tennessee to its second Elite Eight in program history. It was one of the Vols’ best team performances of the season and Knecht played one of his more complete games, totaling six rebounds and five assists to go along with 26 points.
His back-to-back triples when Creighton cut Tennessee’s lead to three points in the game’s final minutes were absolutely massive.
Getting really excited to watch Dalton Knecht vs Purdue today
Last game vs Creighton he showed scoring flashes, did a good job at making reads out of double teams, and made big shots down the stretch
Knecht is someone right in Utah’s range with the 8-9 pick pic.twitter.com/mJaVBMQU3H
— Jazz Lead (@JazzLead) March 31, 2024
1. Second Half Explosion Against Auburn
It was unlike anything I’ve ever seen on a college basketball court. I’m not sure I’ll ever see anything like it again.
Tennessee was teetering against Auburn and then Knecht scored 23 points in just shy of eight minutes on an unreal nine-of-10 shooting from the field. He lifted the Vols past Bruce Pearl and the Tigers.
Rick Barnes called it one of the great performances he’s been able to see.
Here’s what Dalton Knecht’s (@daltonknecht3) 39 point performance against Auburn looked and sounded like from the @FoodCityCenter floor. #Vols pic.twitter.com/VQO4Vq8fKG
— John Sartori (@JohnSartoriTV) February 29, 2024
