Despite a tough loss on the road at No.17 North Carolina, I still have to award my top transfer performance of the week to Tennessee’s Dalton Knecht. The 6-6 senior guard was unbelievable in a 100-92 defeat, dropping 37 points on 13-17 from the field.
Dalton Knecht has been on a tear to start the season and decided to transfer from Northern Colorado after averaging 20 per contest in 2022-2023. Knecht started 32 games for the Bears, scoring a then career high 34 points on January 21st against Idaho. His play garnered second team all big sky honors.
Knecht was outstanding in the first half of Wednesday’s game with 14. However, the Vols trailed 61-39 at the half. Dalton’s 23 second half points were the only reason Tennessee gave the Heels a scare in this ACC/SEC Challenge battle. He was perfect from inside the three-point line at 13-13 while still shooting 50% from beyond the arc. Dalton Knecht has also been automatic at the line, and this continued Wednesday with a 7-8 night from the stripe.
In his third season getting significant minutes, Knecht has proven to be the definition of consistency. He is slashing 20.3/4.9/1.9 on 50 FG% and 82.9 FT% so far in 2023, compared to 20.2/7.2/1.8 on 48 and 77 last season with UNCO.
Although Tennessee has lost three games so early in the year, don’t count out the Vols just yet. They have had maybe the toughest opening schedule in the country with losses to No.1 Purdue, No.5 Duke, and No.17 UNC. Look for Dalton Knecht and Tennessee to be ready for a deep run when March rolls around.
