Dalton Knecht doesn't have a 30-point scoring performance in February.
What's going on there?
What's up is that Tennessee's fifth-year senior guard is displaying more well-rounded capabilities instead of just being a scorer. During Wednesday night's 92-63 dismantling of Arkansas inside Bud Walton Arena, the 6-foot-6, 213-pound graduate transfer from Northern Colorado scored 22 points but also compiled four rebounds, three blocked shots, two assists and two steals.
It was the second time in three games Knecht had amassed three blocks and two steals, which continues to reflect the emphasis he is placing on defense as well.
"We're not looking for perfection," Tennessee assistant coach Gregg Polinsky said Friday afternoon in a news conference. "We're looking for progress, and I think there was progress made in this last game from Dalton. Coach (Justin) Gainey actually had him on their top scorer (Tramon Mark) at one point because of his length, and, sure enough, Dalton blocked a shot.
"Give him credit for upping his game, if you will, at the defensive end of the floor. We still know there is a lot more to go in a good way."
The No. 8 Volunteers, who are 18-6 overall and 8-3 in Southeastern Conference games, are back home Saturday night (6 on the SEC Network) to face Vanderbilt, which is 7-17 overall and 2-9 within the league. Tennessee defeated the Commodores 75-62 in Nashville on Jan. 27, when Knecht scored 32 points on 13-of-21 shooting from the floor.
Knecht was asked Friday whether Wednesday's win in Fayetteville was his best defensive performance, and he responded with, "I don't know. Maybe. I'm not to sure, to be honest."
Despite his recent dip in scoring, Knecht is averaging a robust 26.0 points in SEC contests, a figure that leads all Division I men's scorers in league games only. He is averaging 20.4 points in all games this season, shooting 47.8% from the floor and 40.3% from 3-point range.
Knecht has committed only 33 turnovers in 24 games and has racked up 45 assists, 21 blocks, 17 steals and countless good memories with plans for many more.
"I love Tennessee, like I've said multiple times, and this has worked out great for me," Knecht said. "My teammates told me it was going to be like this, but maybe I didn't think it was going to be this much. It's just really cool to see the hard work pay off and being with great teammates and this great coaching staff."
Tennessee has won 12 of the last 13 series meetings with Vanderbilt and will host the Commodores in front of a sold-out Food City Center.
Instant advertising
Vols junior forward Jonas Aidoo scored 23 points at Arkansas on 11-of-14 shooting, and Polinsky was asked Friday what consistency would look like for the 6-11, 240-pounder.
"I'm not supposed to do any advertisements, but I would say Waffle House," Polinsky said. "When you go into a Waffle House, you know what you're getting every time, don't you?
"I would say that to my daughters, but it didn't resonate."
Odds and ends
Tennessee holds a 130-76 series advantage against Vanderbilt. ... Knecht on the win in Nashville: "That feels like a long time ago." ... The Vols enter this weekend as a projected No. 2 seed for the NCAA tournament, according to ESPN analyst Joe Lunardi.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com.