Tennessee
Inside the numbers of Dalton Knecht’s road stardom for Tennessee basketball
ATHENS, Ga. − Two Georgia fans hovered in the hallway underneath Stegeman Coliseum on Saturday swiping at their phones.
They had to know more about Dalton Knecht.
That’s the experience when Tennessee basketball comes to a college city with the senior who bewilders with his offensive brilliance. Knecht had these two Bulldogs fans searching to know if he was a senior or not, surely with hopes they’d never see him again in the aftermath of a 36-point barrage.
It was the latest and arguably the greatest road game for Knecht, who couldn’t guess his road scoring average afterward.
“About 80,” estimated teammate Jonas Aidoo after some quick finger math.
Not quite, but it almost feels like it after the Northern Colorado transfer inflicted his will as No. 5 Tennessee (12-4, 2-1 SEC) earned an 85-79 win against Georgia (12-4, 2-1). He is averaging 31.3 points per game in four road games.
Why Dalton Knecht excels in road games for Tennessee basketball
Knecht had a look about him Saturday to Vols coach Rick Barnes. It was a look “where you can just tell he has got a little bounce about him,” Barnes said.
Barnes has seen it before. He witnessed it in Tennessee’s exhibition win at Michigan State when Knecht scored 28 points. He has been so good on the road that his scoring in East Lansing would bring down his average if included in his stats.
“He likes the moment. He does,” Barnes said.
That might be understated. Knecht seems to crave the stage, coveting the opportunity to silence if not crush an opposing crowd.
“You just always as a kid want to grow up and play in those type of environments,” Knecht said. “I think all of us have. I think all of us are always ready to perform in front of those crowds.”
Knecht has 125 points on 70 shots in four road games. He is shooting 48.3% on 3-pointers and 61.4% from the field on the road.
He scored 24 points for Tennessee at Wisconsin on Nov. 10. He had 37 points at North Carolina on Nov. 29, tying. the record for most points scored by a visiting player at UNC. He had 28 at Mississippi State on Jan 10.
“He is one of those guys that puts the time in and when he gets going, he is a confident player,” Barnes said.
Dalton Knecht saves his best for the second half on the road
Knecht and assistant coach Rod Clark identified a flaw in the Georgia defense’s ball-screen coverage Saturday.
Knecht hurtled a dagger into the flaw with 1:56 to play when he saw two Georgia confused defenders go under a screen and he hit a lead-taking 3-pointer. That accounted for three of his 10 points in the final 5:39 and of his 20 in the second half.
“Just going to hoop and be myself,” Knecht said. “Big props to my teammates for getting me in the right spot and making it easier for me − as well as the coaches for putting me in the right spots.”
KD: Why Rick Barnes compared Tennessee basketball’s Dalton Knecht to Kevin Durant
Knecht is averaging 19.5 points in the second half on the road. He had 26 at MSU after halftime and 20 in the second half at UNC.
On Saturday, he scored for the Vols each time Georgia took a double-digit lead. In the end, he was bringing the ball up the court often and dictating the game. He made 3-pointers and midrange jumpers. He got fouled and created opportunities. He was the reason Tennessee staved off a two-loss week.
“Just go downhill and make the right play,” Knecht said. “Coach just said get the ball and make the right play or find your teammates or get downhill and get a layup or get to the free-throw line.”
Maybe it is that simple for Knecht. He has conquered every visiting arena he has walked into. He earned an ovation at UNC when he was injured in the final minutes, recognition of his greatness from a basketball fan base well-versed in it.
Maybe it’s all about what Barnes believes: Knecht does the work in the quiet hours at Pratt Pavilion and that’s why he’s ready.
Whatever it is, Tennessee’s trip to Nashville to play Vanderbilt on Jan. 27 is another chance to find out.
Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on Twitter @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it
Tennessee
Former Tennessee Football Legend Accepts SEC Coaching Gig
The Tennessee Volunteers have been one of the main teams when it comes to producing talent and sending talent to the NFL, which is something that has often been discovered as a standard for the football program. This is something that has been going on for quite some time and isn’t anything new to the news cycle, as the Vols have been able to produce plenty of talented prospects.
Tennessee is the home of many stars, including some of the best defensive players in SEC history. Guys like Eric Berry have found their way through the Tennessee program and onto the NFL, where they would have legendary careers. However, the defensive side of the football is the only side that has produced plenty of talent, as Tennessee has produced a lot of offensive talent as well. With the likes of Peyton Manning and company, the Vols have shown a great track record in getting talent drafted.
The Vols have produced someone who could be considered as one of the best players to play the Tide end position, as the Knoxville, Tennessee program is the home to Dallas Cowboys legend, Jason Witten. Witten is someone who made the most of his career and has been viewed as a top player at the Tide in position, and someone who is often referred to as a legend for the Cowboys, along with being a legend in the game of football as a whole.
Jason Witten Accepts TE Coach Position For Oklahoma
Witten is now taking a new gig, which has him in a huge role inside the Southeastern Conference. The Vols legend is now the tight end coach for the Oklahoma Sooners. The Sooners have had some success out of their tight ends in the past, but the sky is the limit with a guy like Witten coaching up the players. Witten has the opportunity to do really well, as coaching tight ends won’t be an issue, and you have to imagine that he will be able to recruit very well, considering he has a huge name around him, as this is something that we have seen from positional coaches as well as head coaches who have done great work in the league. You have to imagine that the Vols will now have stiff competition for his son, Cooper, who is a five-star recruit for the upcoming 2027 class at the linebacker position.
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Tennessee
Tennessee Football DB Transfer Boo Carter Visits the Vols Rival
The Tennessee Volunteers are looking to land many of the nation’s best players in the transfer portal to replace the players who have already announced they are transferring away from Tennessee. One of the players they lost very early on to the portal, and his plans of entering the portal is Boo Carter.
Carter is someone who has quickly made a name for himself, as he played for the Vols as a freshman. He also played for the Tennessee Vols this past season before suffering an injury that sidelined him for the rest of the season. Carter entered the portal and left an announcement on his X page for those interested. Here is what was said.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank The University of Tennessee Coaches, administrators and fans for a wonderful 2 years. Unfortunately my season has been cut short due to injury. I have decided to enter the transfer portal and I am excited about the opportunities going forward!-Boo Carter”
Boo Carter Visits Vanderbilt
Now that the portal is here, he has started to hear from many teams, including a team many anticipated to be in the picture. The Vols DB heard from the Vanderbilt staff and is now reportedly visiting them. This is a school where many of his friends go currently, and a school that has been doing well, but it is no secret that this is one of the Vols’ biggest rivalries.
He is undecided on a possible commitment somewhere, but the reports have started to indicate that the Commodores are a team to watch moving forward. This will be one to watch for the Vols, as there is a good chance they may see Carter next season.
“Dynamic athlete who quickly made an impact on defense and special teams as a true freshman … Earned the starting STAR position and shined while becoming a dangerous weapon as a punt returner as a true freshman in 2024 … Saw action as a slot receiver as well during 2025 spring practices … Early enrollee in January 2024 who participated in Citrus Bowl practices and spring practice before his true freshman season … Has compiled 63 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, three forced fumbles, three pass breakups and one interception on defense in his career … Dynamic punt returner who averages 16.0 yards per return in his career … Played in 21 career games and made five starts,” the Tennessee Vols athletics website stated.
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Tennessee
Tennessee Football Misses on Major Transfer Portal Target
The Tennessee Volunteers have been looking to land the best of the best when it comes to the transfer portal, and they have been targeting the best, but as of recently, all it has been is a bunch of swings and misses.
The Vols have missed yet again, as they have failed to land one of their top targets on their board when it comes to the college football transfer portal at a position that they currently need more than any. That position is the cornerback position, which is one that they need very badly.
The player that they failed to land in this go-around is Troy cornerback Jaquez White. White is one of the better players that the portal has seen at the position, as he was easily named as a top portal target for many. He was seriously looking at Tennessee, and the Vols were ready to bring him in, but instead, he has opted to commit to the Virginia Tech Hokies. The Hokies have done a decent job in the portal thus far, but their portal class has definitely improved following the addition of White.
Whether this is a money thing or the Vols just couldn’t do enough convincing, the point is that they have missed on guys left and right recently. The vision isn’t clear, but fans are hopeful that it will be soon.
Here is what White did in his 2025 season according to the Troy website.
Jaquez White’s 2025 Season
“Earned All-Sun Belt Second Team honors … Ranked third in the league (seventh nationally) with 14 total passes defended and fourth (15th nationally) with 11 pass break ups … Started 12 games and played in all 14 contests … Returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown in Troy’s victory over Louisiana; added interceptions against Nicholls and in Sun Belt Championship Game at James Madison … Finished season with 67 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack … Sack came in Troy’s win over South Alabama; added five tackles, a quarterback hurry and a pass break up in the game … Season-best seven tackles against Memphis … Broke up four passes in win at ULM and had a pair at Southern Miss … Troy’s top-rated defender per PFF with an 87.6 rating … Played 879 defensive snaps, second most on the team … Third-rated cornerback in the country (min. 700 snaps) per PFF and fourth-rated cover corner … Held opponents to a 54.5 reception percentage (36-of-66).”
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