Tennessee Vols guard Dalton Knecht set to join a very elite club on Saturday vs. Kentucky
It's been quite the season for the Tennessee Vols and particularly for guard Dalton Knecht. The fifth-year transfer from Northern Colorado has been the spark plug for a run that's seen the Vols claim just their second outright SEC regular season championship since 1967. In Knecht, the Vols have a one-on-one scorer that has blossomed […]
It's been quite the season for the Tennessee Vols and particularly for guard Dalton Knecht. The fifth-year transfer from Northern Colorado has been the spark plug for a run that's seen the Vols claim just their second outright SEC regular season championship since 1967. In Knecht, the Vols have a one-on-one scorer that has blossomed dreams of the Vols making their first ever run to the Final Four in school history.
How good has Knecht been in league play? As good as anyone over the last two decades. According to Tennessee athletics, Knecht can become just the third player in the last 22 years to finish SEC play while averaging 24+ points per game. Knecht is averaging 24.6 points per game in SEC play as the Vols prepare to take on Kentucky on Saturday afternoon at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center in the regular season finale.
The other two? Former South Carolina guard Devan Downey and former Kentucky guard Jodie Meeks.
Downey had an unbelievable year in 2009-10 for the Gamecocks. He averaged 22.5 points per game for the year but posted an incredible 26.2 average in SEC play. It was a wasted effort as far as the team went, as South Carolina finished with 15-16 overall record.
Kentucky and Meeks didn't fare much better in 2008-09. Despite Meeks' 24.9 points per game in SEC play, the Wildcats missed out on the NCAA tournament and ended their streak of 17 straight appearances in the big dance. Kentucky ultimately fell in the quarterfinals of the NIT against Notre Dame.
As opposed to those wasted extraordinary efforts, the Vols have thrived because of Knecht's efforts this season. Of course, it helps when you have one of the best point guards in the country in Zakai Zeigler and a team full of physical and high-effort defenders. And a center in Jonas Aidoo who continues to develop a solid offensive game near the basket. All things that could help Tennessee reach new heights later this month.
But it's all started with the special effort that Knecht has provided this season. One that Tennessee fans won't forget any time soon.
