Over the past five years, you could count on a few things in Knoxville: an elite defense, a so-so offense, an NCAA tournament trip, and an early exit when that inconsistent offense failed to turn up.
Two seasons ago, the Volunteers were so good on defense that even a remotely competent attack might have ushered them into the Final Four. Instead, Florida Atlantic bounced them in the Sweet 16.
So Rick Barnes went out and found the best scorer in the transfer portal, Dalton Knecht, and watched him become the SEC’s Player of the Year. Knecht’s presence boosted the Vols to 28th in offensive efficiency from 64th.