There’s no query that Barnes’ tenure has been profitable. Tennessee has made the NCAA Event 5 occasions and Candy 16 twice. However he has but to take the Volunteers to the Elite Eight, and this system nonetheless has not reached a Remaining 4.
However Knecht is the kind of participant who can change that. As one would count on from a Barnes-led crew, Tennessee is elite defensively, rating fifth nationally in adjusted defensive effectivity, per KenPom.
Precedent shows that to be a championship contender, you have to be elite on protection. However to make the ultimate weekend of the Large Dance, you additionally want a participant to depend on in essential moments, somebody who can get his personal shot and make teammates’ lives simpler.
Knecht matches that description to a T. Certain, he could make you pay from outdoors or off the bounce. When he merely has the ball in his arms, although, defenses freeze. That opens issues up for the likes of pocket rocket guard Zakai Zeigler (17 factors and three triples towards LSU) and bruising massive man Jonas Aidoo (10 factors on 4-of-6 from the sector).
When Knecht committed to the Volunteers in April of final yr, after two seasons at Northeastern Junior Faculty and two extra at Northern Colorado, he figured to be a key piece. However in 22 video games, he has proved to be much more.
“I knew I had just one yr [at Tennessee], and had one yr to make an impression,” Knecht said. “I can’t thank my teammates sufficient for taking me in and simply letting me be who I’m.”
Being who he’s should proceed. Tennessee, with 9 video games left earlier than the convention match, is a half-game again of the first-place triumvirate of No. 15 South Carolina, No. 12 Auburn and No. 16 Alabama within the race for the SEC regular-season crown.
With the regular-season slate ending with a four-game gauntlet of residence towards Auburn, at Alabama, at South Carolina and residential towards No. 17 Kentucky, the Volunteers will probably be examined. To cross, they may want Knecht to do what he has completed all season.
If he does, and Tennessee retains rolling heading into the NCAA Event, then maybe 2024 will probably be completely different.