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    Tennessee's Dalton Knecht Excites Fans with Clutch FTs in March Madness Win vs. Texas

    Jack MurrayMarch 24, 2024

    CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 23: Dalton Knecht #3 of the Tennessee Volunteers fights for position against Chendall Weaver #2 of the Texas Longhorns during the second half in the second round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Spectrum Center on March 23, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
    Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images

    It took until the very end, but the Tennessee Volunteers survived a major test.

    The second-seeded Vols outlasted the seventh-seeded Texas Longhorns 62-58 in the second round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament.

    Tennessee Basketball @Vol_Hoops

    SURVIVED. ADVANCED. <a href="https://t.co/awEqzcFfVp">pic.twitter.com/awEqzcFfVp</a>

    NCAA March Madness @MarchMadnessMBB

    TENNESSEE IS MOVING ON TO THE SWEET 16 👏<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MarchMadness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MarchMadness</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Vol_Hoops?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Vol_Hoops</a> <a href="https://t.co/ta5nXwGOwP">pic.twitter.com/ta5nXwGOwP</a>

    The Volunteers held off a late push from the Longhorns and avoided the upset at the hands of a future conference rival. Jonas Aidoo had 11 points, four rebounds and three assists for Tennessee, and Tobe Awaka had 10 points and five rebounds.

    However, the story for Tennessee, as it has for much of the season, was the play of first-team All-American Dalton Knecht. He had 18 points, nine rebounds and an assist, but was not super efficient as he shot 5-of-18 and went 1-of-8 from three-point range.

    Brian Pedersen @realBJP

    Sounds like Dalton is having trouble being able to ... Knecht 😎

    However, he really showed up at the free-throw line, going 7-of-8. This included two clutch makes at the end of the game that put Tennessee up by four, essentially putting the game away.

    Fans took to social media to express appreciation for his clutch play despite some struggles early.

    Vince Ferrara @VinceSports

    Dalton Knecht <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Clutch?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Clutch</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Vol_Hoops?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Vol_Hoops</a> headed to the Sweet 16 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/marchmadness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#marchmadness</a> <a href="https://t.co/Ottt3OpQQF">pic.twitter.com/Ottt3OpQQF</a>

    Tennessee's Dalton Knecht Excites Fans with Clutch FTs in March Madness Win vs. Texas
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    Charlie Burris @Charlie_Burris

    Knecht had a terrible night but he still made the shots (specifically free throws) when it mattered. Also, HUGE shoutout to Aidoo on his clutch free throws. Big time performances.

    Nathan Hiatt @NATE_HIATT

    Did anyone actually think Dalton Knecht was going to miss those clutch free throws?<br><br>Definitely not me. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MarchMadness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MarchMadness</a>

    Caleb @VolsAndDraft

    Aidoo had an awful offensive game, came up in the clutch at the line.<br><br>Knecht had an awful game, came up in the clutch at the line. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Vols?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Vols</a>

    SEC Hoops World 🌎 @SEC_Wrld

    Tennessee survives and will move on to the Sweet Sixteen!<br><br>Came down to the wire but Aidoo and Knecht hit some clutch FTs down the stretch to ice the game 🥶<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MarchMadness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MarchMadness</a> <a href="https://t.co/sBRDSz66zh">pic.twitter.com/sBRDSz66zh</a>

    Eric Sisson @ESisson7

    Aidoo and Knecht 🫡. Those free throws were as clutch as it gets

    Sean Paul @SeanPaulCBB

    Six clutch free throws from Jonas Aidoo and Dalton Knecht late.

    Luke @luke3342

    Ice in the veins from Aidoo and Knecht. That's clutch especially on a Rick Barnes team.

    Kale Glynn @Farm_Lift

    Dalton Knecht &amp; the Tennessee team came up CLUTCH at the Free throw line

    VOLS @vol_ben

    Knecht is clutch FT out of breaks.

    Sam Rothman @samrothman_

    Dalton Knecht in the 2nd half = definition of clutch. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Vols?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Vols</a> <a href="https://t.co/8u6RpoRsSc">pic.twitter.com/8u6RpoRsSc</a>

    Miles McDowell @journeyofMilesM

    Knecht and Jo big time shots. Knecht and Aidoo knocking down clutch free throws. Texas made a run, we answered. Fought through worst shooting night of season. Final Four characteristics. 2 down, 4 to go. 1-0 4 times. 🍊

    Ben Sig 🚬 @sig_50

    Knecht has the opportunity here to do one of the funniest things in pulling a Boston #0 and be an average player throughout but make the clutch play late to save face.

    Wes @realMillertyme

    We shot the ball terribly tonight but played great defense and rebounded. Like the saying goes, good teams find a way to win! Aidoo and Knecht were clutch at the line.

    Octavius Diamond-Chandelier @mahomessburner

    Knecht with a shaky game from the field but buries 4/4 from the stripe in clutch time. Saved a young man's hopes and dreams tonight

    TennesseEV Bets @TennesseEVBets

    Knecht has been a shaky FT shooter all year in the clutch

    Max Greenberg @MaxGreenberg176

    Vols win! Holy hell what a game, and damn good job by Dalton Knecht to knock down some clutch free throws <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MarchMadness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MarchMadness</a>

    SmoketheComp @VolDog1998

    Knecht is CLUTCH

    The win advances Tennessee to the Sweet 16 round. This is the farthest the program has gone since 2018-19, when it reached the same round. The Volunteers have not reached the Elite Eight since 2009-10.

    Tennessee will await the winner of Creighton and Oregon.