Tennessee
Dalton Knecht Makes His Case For Player Of The Year In Tennessee's Win Over Auburn | Rocky Top Insider
Tennessee basketball’s SEC Championship hopes were teetering with 12 minutes left in its 92-84 win over No. 11 Auburn on Wednesday night.
The Tigers were on a 23-6 run and had turned a nine-point deficit into an eight-point lead. Tennessee’s offense was sputtering against KenPom‘s sixth best defense nationally.
Then Dalton Knecht did it again.
He hit a three-pointer on the right wing and Tennessee hopped on his back. In the game’s final 12 minutes, Knecht outscored Auburn 25-21.
“That’s the performance that Dalton did,” Tennessee coach Rick Barnes said postgame. “I mean, what he did in the last about 12 minutes, I think, was just one of the great performances that I’ve been able to see.”
During an eight minute stretch, Knecht scored 23 points on nine-of-10 shooting from the field. He hit deep three-pointers, contested midrange jumpers and drove past defenders and dunked. Auburn tried everything to slow him down, grabbing him before he could get the ball, throwing double and even a triple team at him once he got the ball.
“It’s just what the game folded into and we needed him to do it,” Barnes said of the scoring burst.
Knecht scored 39 points for the second time this season and was, again, efficient doing it. He made 12-of-21 field goal and five-of-eight three-point attempts in the win.
The super senior’s brilliant performance against a strong team in a massive moment was his latest case to win the Wooden Award— given annually to the top player in college basketball.
More From RTI: Everything Rick Barnes Said After Tennessee Defeated Auburn
Purdue’s Zach Edey winning the award for the second straight season is almost a foregone conclusion. He’s averaging 23.7 points and 11.8 rebounds per game, numbers that Knecht —20.1 points and five rebounds per game— can’t compete with.
But when Knecht’s at his best, no one compares to him and the 6-foot-6 guard is frequently at his best in the biggest moments. In conference play, Knecht is averaging 25.3 points which barely beats Edey’s 24.9 points.
Knecht’s ability to take over a game is also unprecedented in college basketball. He’s scored 20-plus points five times in the second half of games this season. Tennessee is 3-2 in those five games, overcoming second half deficits to win against Georgia, Vanderbilt and Auburn while comeback bids came up just short against North Carolina and Mississippi State.
While Edey is 7-foot-3 and overpowers opponents, there’s something more impressive about a guard who coaches left off the All-Big Sky First Team a season ago becoming unstoppable and scoring at all three levels.
“JJ Reddick did it. He torched us for (41) one night,” Barnes said. “And I’m telling you, when you sit there, you feel helpless because of the shots he makes and just trying to guard him the best you can. But when he gets it going, it’s hard to guard.”
Maybe how you score points shouldn’t matter in a player of the year conversation and Edey is undoubtedly more effective rebounding and defending than Knecht is.
But let every coach in the country draft one player nationally ahead of the NCAA Tournament and more would take Knecht than Edey.
At his best, Knecht is better offensively than any other player in the country. He has four scoring outputs better than Edey’s best and he can save a team when they’re floundering. Knecht proved it again versus Auburn on Wednesday night.
It’s not likely that Knecht surpasses Edey and wins the Wooden Award. But his performance against Auburn might help the Vols win more important hardware. Tennessee is in polling position to win the SEC Championship and Knecht’s brilliance gives them a chance to make it Phoenix.
Tennessee
Tennessee Baseball Walks Off Wright State in Game One
The Tennessee Volunteers played against the Wright State Raiders in the first of their three game series this weekend. Here is how the game played out.
Tennessee vs. Wright State Recap
Wright State got started very early on, as they scored on an RBI double. This came within the first inning of the game, and the Raiders were looking good. They ultimately didn’t get anywhere in the second inning, which led to the Vols coming up to bat in their second set of batters.
The Vols couldn’t get anything going within the first innings of the game. That was until both teams scored in the third inning. The Vols scored off the bat of Henry Ford, who hit an RBI single.
Kuhns was later hit deep on a home run to right field. This extended the lead, as he started to show some signs of struggling. Brady Frederick began to warm up for the Vols around this time. They looked to get the bats going, as they would have Blake Grimmer up to bat to start the inning. Nothing going for the Vols at that time though, as they were held hitless in the inning.
Kuhns continued to pitch through the fifth inning with Frederick remaining in the bullpen. He pushed through the fifth, but it looked as if his day was done following his final at bat of the inning being taken to the warning track. After multiple at bats didn’t go the way Tennessee wanted Kuhns would remain in the dugout, as Brandon Arvidson stepped in for the starter during the sixth inning.
Some early struggles for the reliever was revealed. He was put into a trick position with two on (both on the corners) with one out. Arvidson and the Vols were able to get out of that pickle, but they needed their bats to get going. That is exactly what happened as a home run from Blake Grimmer brought the game within one yet again They still trailed entering the seventh inning. Arvidson was able to escape the inning, but the Vols would get the equalizing run across home off the bat of Ford, who hit an RBI double. The player who scored was Abernathy. This was huge.
Arvidson had a huge eighth inning, as he finished with a massive strikeout in the inning. If the Vols were to get a run across, they would have the chance to put the game away with three more outs if they continued to play well. Arvidson’s day ended, just for Frederick to come into the game ahead of the ninth inning. Frederick picked up two strikeouts and escaped with little to no damage.
The Vols were in walk-off territory. A lead off double for Garrett Wright got the Vols started in the ninth. The Vols won the game on a lead off hit from Manny Marin.
Tennessee
US immigration authorities arrest Spanish-language news reporter in Tennessee
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested a reporter for a Spanish-language news outlet in Tennessee but agents didn’t have a warrant, according to court documents filed by this week her lawyer.
Estefany Rodriguez Flores, a reporter for Spanish-language news outlet Nashville Noticias who has done stories critical of ICE, was arrested Wednesday during a traffic stop and is being detained by ICE’s enforcement and removal operations, according to documents filed in federal court in Nashville. Her lawyers called for her immediate release.
Rodriguez, a Colombian citizen, entered the U.S lawfully and has been living in the U.S. for the past five years, court records filed by her lawyer show. She has a valid work permit, and she has applied for political asylum and legal status though her husband, who is a U.S. citizen.
Rodriguez was with her husband in a marked Nashville Noticias vehicle when it was surrounded by several other vehicles and she was taken to a detention center, the news outlet said in a statement.
ICE did not immediately respond to a request seeking comment.
ICE scheduled a meeting with Rodriguez on her case but it was rescheduled twice, first because the office was closed during a winter storm and the second time because an agent couldn’t find her appointment in the system, her lawyers said in court documents.
A new meeting was then set for March 17.
When she was arrested, Rodriguez was not shown any arrest warrant, only an immigration document telling her to appear before ICE. Her lawyer, Joel Coxander, has spoken to an ICE agent who indicated that there was no arrest warrant for her at the time of her arrest, her lawyer said in court documents.
Rodriguez joined Nashville Noticias in 2022, covering social, family, health, police and immigration issues, the news outlet’s statement said.
“She needs to reunite with her young daughter and husband to continue her legal process within the framework permitted by law,” the statement said.
Read the full statement:
“Official Statement from Nashville Noticias Regarding the Detention of Our Colleague Reporter Estefany Rodríguez by ICE Agents
On March 4, Estefany Rodríguez, a reporter for Nashville Noticias and Univision 42 Nashville, was with her husband, Alejandro Medina III, outside the gym located at 2615 Murfreesboro Pike, when the vehicle they were traveling in (marked with the Nashville Noticias logo) was surrounded by several other vehicles. Several men got out and demanded that our colleague be taken into custody for reasons that the legal team will specify at a later date.
Estefany Rodríguez was taken to a detention center.
Estefany Rodríguez holds a degree in journalism from Colombia, her native country, where she has worked for several years at various news outlets. She joined the Nashville Noticias team in 2022, covering social, family, health, police, and immigration issues.
Nashville Noticias LLC expresses its respect for the laws of the United States and hopes that this situation will be resolved favorably for our colleague so that she can be released soon, as she needs to reunite with her young daughter and husband to continue her legal process within the framework permitted by law. Her legal team at MIRA Legal, as well as the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Coalition (TIRRC), are providing legal representation in the case and will have details on the progress and responses from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Tennessee Federal Court.
Nashville Noticias will also be providing updates on its social media platforms and website, nashvillenoticias.com.
We trust in the justice system of the United States of America.
Respectfully,
Nashville Noticias LLC
March 5 2026″
Tennessee
Lady Vols fall to Alabama in SEC Tournament for seventh loss in row
GREENVILLE, SC – Lady Vols basketball had an underwhelming showing against Alabama, and it led to a winless trip to the SEC Tournament.
No. 6 seed Tennessee (16-13) never led in the second-round matchup with No. 11 Alabama (23-9) at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 5, and extended its losing streak to seven games with the 76-64 loss.
Janiah Barker led the Lady Vols with 20 points on 6-for-14 shooting, five rebounds and a steal, but also had seven turnovers. Zee Spearman added 13 points on 6-for-9 shooting with six rebounds, an assist and two blocks.
Talaysia Cooper, the team’s leading scorer, did not play in the game after 6:27 left in the third quarter. She had four points on 1-for-4 shooting with two assists, two steals and a rebound in 12 minutes.
The Lady Vols tied the game 12-12 in the first quarter, and by halftime they trailed by double digits – they never came back within single digits after halftime. Their defense didn’t show any improvement as they allowed Alabama to shoot 50% from the field and gave up 19 points off their 18 turnovers. Tennessee only scored 11 points off 13 forced turnovers.
The Lady Vols fell behind early when Alabama destroyed their press, passing through it for easy buckets to build a lead. When Tennessee stopped pressing, it still couldn’t get enough stops in the halfcourt. Alabama outscored UT 36-24 in the paint.
Freshman guard Deniya Prawl, who was listed as out on the SEC availability report, was not on the bench with the team.
Watch Lady Vols basketball vs. Alabama
Lady Vols basketball vs. Alabama: Live score updates
Tennessee got outscored 22-17 in the third and Alabama took a 61-46 lead into the fourth quarter. The Tide shot 55% from the field in the third.
Tennessee’s defense couldn’t get a stop on defense, and it wasn’t even pressing much anymore. Alabama went on a 6-0 run to take a 17-point lead before Zee Spearman hit a layup to cut it to 15, and Tennessee trailed 53-38 at the media timeout with 4:55 left in the third quarter.
Alabama outscored Tennessee 8-3 to open the third quarter, and after five straight points for the Tide that included a late closeout by Talaysia Cooper and a turnover on the inbound by Janiah Barker, Kim Caldwell called timeout with 8:47 left in the quarter.
Caldwell was not happy and yelled, “wake up!” as she walked onto the court to meet her team. Alabama led 47-32.
Tennessee’s defense got better in the second quarter, and it held Alabama to 14 points. However, its shotmaking did not improve and it committed eight turnovers. The Tide scored 12 points off Tennessee’s 12 turnovers.
The Lady Vols only scored 11 points in the second. Janiah Barker led the team with nine points on 3-for-6 shooting with two rebounds in the first half. Zee Spearman added seven points on 3-for-4 shooting with four rebounds, an assist and a block.
The Lady Vols regrouped between quarters and outscored Alabama 5-2 in the first three minutes of the second. Nya Robertson hit a 3-pointer and Zee Spearman scored off an offensive rebound to cut Alabama’s lead to 27-23 with 6:47 left in the quarter.
Alabama passed through Tennessee’s press with ease and immediately retook the lead. The Lady Vols weren’t hitting shots and couldn’t get a stop defensively, either. The Tide shot 55% from the field and scored 18 points in the paint.
Alabama also scored seven points off of Tennessee’s four turnovers and outrebounded UT 11-8.
Alabama jumped out to a 12-7 lead, but then Zee Spearman scored five straight points to tie the game 12-12. Then Tennessee was two seconds away from trapping the Tide in the backcourt before Kristy Curry had to call timeout with 3:44 left in the first quarter.
Janiah Barker also had five early points for the Lady Vols.
Deniya Prawl out on SEC injury report
Freshman Deniya Prawl was listed as out on the SEC student-athlete availability report on March 4.
The 6-foot-2 guard has been a solid piece of the rotation for Tennessee this season. Prawl has averaged 3.8 points, 2.6 rebounds and a steal in 15.4 minutes per game while shooting 40.4% from the field.
When does Lady Vols basketball vs. Alabama start?
- Date: Thursday, March 5
- Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
- Where: Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina
What TV channel is Lady Vols vs. Alabama on today?
Lady Vols basketball 2025-26 schedule, TV times
- Nov. 4: NC State 80, Tennessee 77
- Nov. 7: Tennessee 97, ETSU 47
- Nov. 9: Tennessee 72, UT Martin 61
- Nov. 13: Tennessee 68, Belmont 58
- Nov. 20: Tennessee 85, MTSU 41
- Nov. 23: Tennessee 88, Coppin State 35
- Nov. 30: UCLA 99, Tennessee 77
- Dec. 3: Tennessee 65, Stanford 62
- Dec. 14: Tennessee 112, Winthrop 40
- Dec. 20: Louisville 89, Tennessee 65
- Dec. 22: Tennessee 89, Southern Indiana 44
- Jan. 1: Tennessee 76, Florida 65
- Jan. 4: Tennessee 73, Auburn 56
- Jan. 8: Tennessee 90, Mississippi State 80
- Jan. 11: Tennessee 85, Arkansas 50
- Jan. 18: Tennessee 70, Alabama 59
- Jan. 22: Tennessee 60, Kentucky 58
- Jan. 29: Mississippi State 77, Tennessee 62
- Feb. 1: UConn 96, Tennessee 66
- Feb. 5: Tennessee 82, Georgia 77
- Feb. 8: South Carolina 93, Tennessee 50
- Feb. 12: Tennessee 98, Missouri 53
- Feb. 15: Texas 65, Tennessee 63
- Feb. 17: Ole Miss 94, Tennessee 81
- Feb. 19: Texas A&M 82, Tennessee 74
- Feb. 22: Oklahoma 100, Tennessee 93
- Feb. 26: LSU 89, Tennessee 73
- March 1: Vanderbilt 87, Tennessee 77
Cora Hall is the University of Tennessee women’s athletics reporter for Knox News. Email: cora.hall@knoxnews.com; X: @corahalll; Bluesky: @corahall.bsky.social. Support strong local journalism and unlock premium perks: subscribe.knoxnews.com/offers
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