In Thursday’s NCAA tournament clash, Tennessee basketball entered the court with a determination to avoid the fate of being upset by St. Peter’s, a team renowned for its remarkable Elite Eight journey in 2022.
The No. 2 seeded Vols faced off against the No. 15 seeded Peacocks and emerged victorious with a commanding 83-49 triumph, largely fueled by the standout performance of their star guard, Dalton Knecht. Now, Tennessee gears up to face off against No. 7 seeded Texas in the Round of 32 on Saturday.
Knecht, who boasts the titles of All-American and SEC Player of the Year, showcased his prowess in his debut NCAA tournament appearance. The former Northern Colorado transfer exhibited a stellar performance, tallying 23 points and eight rebounds while shooting an impressive 8-of-15 from the field.
.@Vol_Hoops SMOOTH with it. Tennessee is ROLLING 🏀 pic.twitter.com/NEn0nagLYe
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) March 22, 2024
Contributing to the Vols’ victory, Jonas Aidoo, the team’s formidable big man, notched 15 points, while guard Zakai Zeigler secured a double-double with 11 points and 10 assists.
Throughout the season, Knecht, known for his ability to rack up 30+ points in seven separate games, has been instrumental in steering the Vols towards their maiden Final Four berth. With a robust start to the tournament, fans are increasingly confident in his leadership capabilities.
Social media erupted with praise for Knecht’s stellar performance, with fans expressing admiration and anticipation for Tennessee’s journey ahead.
While defeating a No. 15 seed was anticipated, the Vols’ dominant display has ignited enthusiasm among fans, hinting at the potential for a significant postseason run. Armed with a prolific scorer like Knecht and a seasoned cadre of veterans, Tennessee appears poised to make a compelling push towards the coveted Final Four spot.
