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.
Four-star safety Ta’Shawn Poole will announce his commitment between Tennessee, Georgia and Florida State on July 17, according to Brendan Sonnone of 247Sports.
The 6-foot-2, 185-pound prospect is from Howard High School in Macon, Georgia. 247Sports ranks him as the No. 4 safety in the class and No. 6 player in Georgia.
Tennessee offered Poole a scholarship on Feb. 21, 2025. He has visited the Vols three times, including an official visit on June 5.
UNLV was the first school to offer Poole a scholarship on Aug. 1, 2024. Other Power Four schools to offer him scholarships include Louisville, Georgia Tech, Iowa State, Auburn, Missouri, Miami, North Carolina State, Kentucky, Nebraska, Florida, Michigan, Ohio State, Oklahoma State, North Carolina, Penn State, Ole Miss, Indiana, Mississippi State, Wake Forest, Alabama, Virginia Tech and Clemson.
Tennessee has 16 commitments in its 2027 football recruiting class: linebacker JP Peace, offensive tackle Princeton Uwaifo, quarterback Derrick Baker, athlete Jaden Butler, wide receiver KeSean Bowman, defensive back Carter Jamison and defensive back Brandon Leavell, tight end Malik Howard, defensive lineman Christian Mays, cornerback Dylan Haley, linebacker Kenneth Simon II, kicker Ford Fehling, long snapper Sam McKeown, offensive tackle Q’Mari Hudson, athlete Dayon Cooper, and safety Marcus Jones.
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The Tennessee Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at July 3, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from July 3 drawing
05-09-29-47-57, Mega Ball: 16
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 3 numbers from July 3 drawing
Morning: 7-0-6, Wild: 8
Midday: 8-9-9, Wild: 7
Evening: 3-6-1, Wild: 4
Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 4 numbers from July 3 drawing
Morning: 2-5-7-4, Wild: 1
Midday: 3-7-7-4, Wild: 3
Evening: 1-4-3-6, Wild: 5
Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Daily Tennessee Jackpot numbers from July 3 drawing
09-12-23-27-33
Check Daily Tennessee Jackpot payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Tennessee Cash numbers from July 3 drawing
04-13-18-27-35, Bonus: 02
Check Tennessee Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from July 3 drawing
07-08-24-42-47, Bonus: 03
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All Tennessee Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $599.
For prizes over $599, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at Tennessee Lottery offices. By mail, send a winner claim form, winning lottery ticket, a copy of a government-issued ID and proof of social security number to P.O. Box 290636, Nashville, TN 37229. Prize claims less than $600 do not require a claim form. Please include contact information on prizes claimed by mail in the event we need to contact you.
To submit in person, sign the back of your ticket, fill out a winner claim form and deliver the form, along with the ticket and government-issued ID and proof of social security number to any of these locations:
Nashville Headquarters & Claim Center: 26 Century Blvd., Nashville, TN 37214, 615-254-4946 in the (615) and (629) area, 901-466-4946 in the (901) area, 865-512-4946 in the (865) area, 423-939-7529 in the (423) area or 1-877-786-7529 (all other areas in Tennessee). Outside Tennessee, dial 615-254-4946. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.
Knoxville District Office: Cedar Springs Shopping Center, 9298 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37922, (865) 251-1900. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $199,999.
Chattanooga District Office: 2020 Gunbarrel Rd., Suite 106, Chattanooga, TN 37421, (423) 308-3610. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $199,999.
Memphis District Office: Chiles Plaza, 7424 U.S. Highway 64, Suite 104, Memphis, TN 38133, (901) 322-8520. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $199,999.
Check previous winning numbers and payouts at https://tnlottery.com/.
When are the Tennessee Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10:00 p.m. CT Tuesday and Friday.
- Cash 3, 4: Daily at 9:28 a.m. (Morning) and 12:28 p.m. CT (Midday), except for Sunday. Evening game daily, seven days a week, at 6:28 p.m. CT.
- Daily Tennessee Jackpot: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
- Tennessee Cash: 10:34 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
- Powerball Double Play: 10:30 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Tennessean editor. You can send feedback using this form.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — If Middle Tennessee’s summer heat has you questioning every life decision made after noon, these local ice cream shops offer the sweetest escape.
As dangerous heat grips Middle Tennessee, here’s a roundup of the region’s best spots for handcrafted scoops, towering sundaes and frozen treats made to beat the summer sizzle.
Mike’s is a late-night go-to for sweet cravings, known for its homemade waffle cones — the smell alone draws people in — and dozens of rotating flavors like espresso shake, banana pudding and strawberry cheesecake.
A Middle Tennessee institution, Hattie Jane’s churns small-batch ice cream made with Tennessee dairy. Southern-inspired flavors such as nana puddin’, brown butter pecan and strawberry jam have made it a regional favorite.
With more than 70 flavors — including a rotating “Sweet 16” lineup — Sweethaven has quickly earned its place on Franklin’s Main Street. Popular picks include fresh strawberry, chocolate raspberry truffle and spicy mango. Its charming location makes it an easy stop after shopping or dinner.
A Nashville landmark since 1951, Bobbie’s Dairy Dip keeps it classic with chocolate-dipped soft serve, old-school milkshakes and an ice cream-and-burger combo locals swear by. Pup cups are available for four-legged regulars.
Sarabhas is the spot for adventurous palates. Indian-inspired flavors, chai pairings and kulfi-inspired creations set this shop apart. Popular flavors include mango, Indian coffee and chai spice.
Conecept is Instagram-worthy without sacrificing substance. Creative seasonal flavors, thick milkshakes and loaded specialty cones keep locals coming back. Popular flavors include blueberry and vanilla.
This neighborhood favorite serves everything from ice cream to floats in a family-friendly setting. Standout flavors include bunny tracks, mango ice cream with chamoy and chocolate peanut butter.
Gelato lovers, this one’s for you. GelatoPazzo serves authentic Italian-style gelato with rich pistachio, stracciatella and seasonal fruit flavors. Locals consistently praise the shop’s warm, welcoming atmosphere.
Assorted ice cream flavors. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Can’t choose between savory and sweet? Fryce Cream solves that. The shop pairs fries with soft-serve ice cream, loaded sundaes and sweet-and-salty combinations. The fries-and-gelato dip combo is a must-try, according to regulars.
Equal parts coffee shop and creamery, Cream & Bean features homemade coffee and ice cream flavors in a relaxed neighborhood setting.
A fast favorite in Franklin’s Cool Springs area, Handel’s makes its ice cream fresh daily with a lineup of more than 40 flavors. Fan favorites include Chocoholic Chunk, Monkey Business and Graham Central Station.
Visitors can watch staff hand-craft Mackinac Island-style fudge right in the shop. Freshly made waffle cones, rich ice cream flavors and an old-fashioned candy shop atmosphere have made Kilwins a longtime draw for locals and tourists alike.
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