Tennessee basketball guard Dalton Knecht was named the 2024 SEC Player of the Year on Monday.
This comes after posting averages of 21.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game on 47.4% shooting from the field and 40.% on 3-pointers.
He met with the media following the being named the recipient of the award. Here’s what he had to say.
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“(Director of Basketball Operations) Mary-Carter (Eggert) told me, I was in the training room. Jonas (Aidoo) told me, as well. Both of them came in at the same time.”
“It was for sure a really cool moment. Crazy award. It was a lot of hard work and big shoutout to my teammates and the coaching staff.”
“Of course, I always wanted to be player of the year, it’d be real cool. But also, I knew it was a lot of hard work. Just real happy I got it and real big shoutout to my teammates and coaching staff.”
“It is crazy. That is wild to think about that, I didn’t even know about that. That’s real crazy. You play with one of the best point guards in the nation and center in Jonas and (Zakai Zeigler) so, they make it a lot easier for me to just go out there and hoop.”
“Obviously, defense. And then just learning the overall game. Like how one dribble, I can attack a gap and I can shift a secondary defender, rather than just worrying about my guy.”
“I haven’t talked to them yet but they texted me. They just said like, ‘super proud but you still got the SEC tourney and the big one.’ It’s a cool accomplishment but at the same time we’re ready to win the SEC tourney and the big one.”
“Just finally knew I could always do that. Just finally put me on the map. First game against a great team that I could go out and showcase what I can do. Finally put me on the map. As well as, Tennessee’s been on the map, so just to be a part of that.”
“I knew I kind of belonged as well as the coaching staff told me I belonged and that I can do all these things and accomplish all this and stuff like that when I came on my visit. Just kind of just listened to them and followed blueprint that they had when I came on my visit.”
“I’d just say trying to be in the cold tub as much as possible and recover. Listen to Chad (Newman), our trainer, and (Garrett Medenwald), the strength and conditioning coach, just listen to them as much as I can to take care of my body. That’s something I feel like I need to get better at. Just maintain, always staying consistent and keep my body healthy.”
“It gave me everything. The whole entire coaching staff, every single day I’ve asked them to come shoot or rebound or anything, they’d always do it. Just thankful for my teammates and the coaching staff. It’s a special year. It’s just one of the most craziest years I’ve ever been a part of and it’s really just a dream come true.”
“They just congratulated me and gave me big hugs and stuff. They just told me there was no doubt I should’ve got that award and stuff and congrats to all my hard work and stuff like that.”
“I feel I’ve always thought I could play at this level. So, I just think it was playing with tons of confidence and it was a big shoutout to my teammates for being super confident. Whenever during timeouts they’d always just tell me to go out and hoop. Just go play you. Just go out and hoop. Just a big shoutout to my teammates.”
“I don’t know. I couldn’t decide on one. I don’t know, probably something during the Auburn game or something. It’d be more of a team thing would be my favorite.”
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Gas prices on March 5 have gone up 27 cents in both the U.S., and in Tennessee compared to one week ago, which likely relates to the war in Iran, according to AAA – The Auto Club Group.
The national average for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is $3.25. Tennessee’s average on March 5 is $2.84, according to AAA.
The last time the national average made a similar weekly jump was back in March of 2022 during the start of the Russia/Ukraine conflict, AAA said.
“Oil prices are rising largely due to growing instability in a region that is essential to global energy markets,” AAA spokesperson Megan Cooper said. “Although the U.S. does not import oil from Iran, the country remains a major producer, supplying nations such as China and India. Any potential disruption to Iranian oil infrastructure can influence global supply expectations.”
Middle Tennessee county averages include:
Crude oil pricing correlates to about 60% of what consumers pay at the pump, Cooper said. Recent global tensions tied to the conflict with Iran are adding upward pressure on crude oil prices, according to AAA.
Also, the Strait of Hormuz is a critical connection for the Persian Gulf to open waters as a shipping lane for crude oil. Because oil is traded globally, a shortfall in one region can impact prices throughout the world.
Tennessee and the southeast portion of the U.S. consistently rank among the least expensive markets for fuel. Proximity to refineries and pipeline infrastructure are major reasons for less expensive gas, according to AAA.
Tennessee is currently the fourth least expensive market in the U.S. for gas. The last time Tennessee’s average was over $3 per gallon for regular unleaded gas was August 2024.
Refineries are also starting the process of producing summer-blend gasoline. which contains additives to help reduce evaporation during warmer months and adds to the cost. Gas demand generally increases with the spring break season and the expectation of more road trips.
Disclaimer: This story was created by reporter Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of information gathering, review, editing and publishing.
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One of the nation’s fast-rising 7v7 events made it back to the Atlanta area as The Sevens 7v7 tournament was held at Peachtree Ridge High School over the weekend.
Many of the top organizations across the country registered and entered the tournament such as Hustle INC, C1N, NPA, 24K Cold Hearts, and Fast Houston.
The amount of star power each brand displayed with many of the top athletes from all of the country was insane to fathom.
One of the nation’s coveted 2028 cornerbacks was in attendance as Jermaine Cobbins and NPA showed up on a mission.
NPA earned the number 1 seed during pool play on the first day of the event. The team fell just short of the championship game, but the players went down swinging.
Vols on SI caught up with Cobbins to discuss any recruiting updates, and to shed light on an off-field story that deserves some attention.
“The recruitment is going great,” Cobbins said.
“You know, a lot of teams are showing love,” Cobbins continued. Alabama, Vanderbilt, and Texas A&M were a few schools mentioned to be showing a lot of love to the Tennessee native.
Cobbins has plans to get on the road once dead period is over.
March 2- Auburn
March 6- USC (potentially)
March 13- Alabama
March 17- Georgia
March 19- Tennessee
March 21- Vanderbilt
As Cobbins is wrapping up his sophomore year and on his way to becoming a junior, the pace will pick up as schools will come on stronger as some will fall back. The talented defender has to check boxes of his on while spending time with each school.
“The main thing I’ll be looking for is probably how much love are they going to be showing, their background (track record), and how the coaches coach,” Cobbins explained.
With a visit to Rocky Top in a few weeks looming, this will be the first time Cobbins has made it to Tennessee since the staff changes on the defense.
Cobbins had a relationship with Coach Michael Hunter Jr., who joined the Volunteers staff for a very short time before taking an opportunity in the NFL.
“Me and the corners coach had a great relationship, he came (to UT) but he left out for the NFL, so kudos to him. Love that for him. I’ve met Coach Poindexter. He’s a great coach,” Cobbins said.
The coaching staff at Tennessee stands out to the Springfield (TN) student-athlete as, “they coach at a high level.” Cobbins would go on to describe how the Vols pulling in great talent truly has an impact because you get to practice against some talented players day in and day out.
Cobbins recently had the opportunity to give back to the next generation, and it was no surprise to see this act carried out, so Vols on SI had to ask about this act of kindness before concluding the interview.
“That was very important (to me), you know. It just really made me feel good inside. I always love giving back to the little kids, especially from my hometown,” Cobbins said with a smile.
Cobbins understands the small-town life, and how such a simple gesture can make a huge difference. Talent aside, this is an A+ young man.
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Published on Mar. 4, 2026
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Vanderbilt basketball guard Frankie Collins is leaving the program, head coach Mark Byington announced on Tuesday night. The news comes just days before the Commodores are set to face off against Tennessee in the regular season finale, with the Volunteers looking to clinch a top-four seed and double-bye in the SEC Tournament.
Collins was Vanderbilt’s most highly touted transfer last offseason, but injuries limited him to just nine games this season. His departure leaves the Commodores shorthanded heading into a crucial matchup against their in-state rival Tennessee, who are seeking to complete a regular season sweep.
The 6-foot-1 guard averaged 7.8 points, 4.7 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game this season, but suffered a meniscus injury in December that sidelined him for the majority of the year. With the emergence of sophomore point guard Tyler Tanner and Oklahoma transfer Duke Miles, Collins never quite found his footing in the Vanderbilt lineup.
A 6-foot-1 guard who was Vanderbilt’s most highly touted transfer last offseason, coming to Nashville after spending the 2024-25 season at TCU and the three prior years at Arizona State and Michigan.
The head coach of the Vanderbilt Commodores basketball team.
The sophomore point guard who emerged as a key player for Vanderbilt this season.
An Oklahoma transfer shooting guard who joined the Vanderbilt roster this season.
The head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers basketball team.
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“Frankie has left Nashville, and he’s not gonna be on the team. It’s gonna be good for both sides of it. We wish him well. So we’ll roll with the guys we got.”
— Mark Byington, Head Coach, Vanderbilt Commodores (rockytopinsider.com)
With a victory over Vanderbilt, Tennessee will clinch a top four-seed and a double-bye in next week’s SEC Tournament. Vanderbilt could potentially earn a double-bye themselves with a win and a little extra help.
The loss of Frankie Collins leaves Vanderbilt shorthanded heading into a crucial matchup against in-state rival Tennessee, who are seeking to complete a regular season sweep. The Commodores will have to rely on the emergence of players like Tyler Tanner and Duke Miles to try and pull off the upset and keep their own postseason hopes alive.
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