Tennessee didn’t have to stray too far off its NCAA Tournament path to see an old friend on Wednesday night.
With VFL Dalton Knecht and the Los Angeles Lakers taking on the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night in Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the Tennessee basketball team was able to attend the game from a box to see their old teammate on the court.
Knecht played just five minutes in the 120-119 win on Wednesday but did record a three-pointer on his lone shot attempt of the game.
.@Vol_Hoops in the house for Lakers-Pacers
pic.twitter.com/AQfSzz04if
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) March 26, 2025
shoutout DK
the VFL hooked the squad up with a suite at last night’s Lakers-Pacers game in Indy pic.twitter.com/s52AXfdUwT
— Tennessee Basketball (@Vol_Hoops) March 27, 2025
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In his rookie season as a whole, Knecht is averaging 9.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 0.9 assists per game in 20.1 minutes on the court. However, his minutes have taken a hit as of late, only tallying 5.6 minutes per game over his last three contests despite putting together some great showings in the week before.
Knecht’s Lakers defeated the Pacers in Gainbridge Fieldhouse by a score of 120-119, thanks to a buzzer-beating tip-in from LeBron James.
Tennessee will look for the same result this Friday night down the road in Lucas Oil Stadium. The 2-seed Vols will take on 3-seed Kentucky in the Sweet 16 with a spot in the Elite Eight on the line on Sunday.
Tennessee has been playing great but is winless against the Wildcats in two meetings this season. All the more anticipation for the rivals’ first-ever NCAA Tournament clash on Friday.
In his final game against Kentucky last season, Knecht dropped 40 points on the ‘Cats in a loss in Knoxville.
Stay tuned to Rocky Top Insider for more Tennessee tournament coverage from Indianapolis.
