How Norfolk State Coach Robert Jones Compares This Tennessee Team to Dalton Knecht’s Vols
Norfolk State head coach Robert Jones offered his thoughts on the differences between this season’s Tennessee Basketball team and last year’s iteration, led by standout Dalton Knecht, during his postgame press conference on Tuesday night.
After facing Tennessee twice in a year—an 87-50 loss on January 2 and a 67-52 loss on New Year’s Eve—Jones acknowledged the strength of this season’s squad. However, he noted that last year’s team had a distinct edge in offensive firepower. The Norfolk State head coach was asked Tuesday night to compare this season’s Tennessee Basketball team to last season’s version of the Vols.
Dalton Knecht’s Impact on Last Year’s Vols
“Last year, they had maybe a little bit more firepower,” Jones said, referencing Dalton Knecht, who was the SEC Player of the Year, a consensus First Team All-American, and a first-round NBA Draft pick. Knecht’s impact was undeniable—he averaged 21.7 points per game for the season and 25.5 points per game in SEC play.
“He’s going to be an NBA player a long time,” Jones said, emphasizing the challenge of replacing Knecht’s prolific scoring ability.
Roster Overhaul and Balance
Jones pointed out that while the current Vols are less reliant on a single player, they have found greater balance across the roster. “I do think that they’re probably a little bit more balanced. Last year might have been top heavy,” he said.
This year’s team saw significant roster changes. Alongside Knecht, key players like Josiah-Jordan James and Santiago Vescovi graduated, and four players entered the NCAA Transfer Portal, including Jonas Aidoo (Arkansas) and Tobe Awaka (Arizona).
To rebuild, Tennessee brought in talent from the transfer portal, including:
- Felix Okpara (Ohio State), replacing Aidoo as the starting center.
- Chaz Lanier (North Florida), now the leading scorer at 19.6 points per game, shooting an impressive 45.9% from three.
- Igor Milicic (Charlotte), the team’s leading rebounder with 8.2 rebounds per game, while averaging 10.7 points.
- Darlinstone Dubar (Hofstra), contributing off the bench.
Key Returner: Zakai Zeigler
Tennessee’s point guard Zakai Zeigler remains a cornerstone of the team. Averaging 11.7 points, 8.1 assists, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game, Zeigler’s leadership is crucial. Jones described him as “the engine,” adding, “he made a lot of things happen for them. With him coming back, you’re always gonna have a chance.”
Tennessee’s Defensive Dominance
Under coach Rick Barnes, Tennessee has maintained its defensive reputation, currently ranked No. 2 in adjusted defensive efficiency (88.0) by KenPom.com. The Vols’ overall balance this season places them at No. 4 in the KenPom rankings, slightly ahead of last year’s Elite Eight team, which finished No. 5.
Up Next: SEC Play Begins Against Arkansas
The No. 1 Vols (13-0) open SEC play on Saturday against No. 23 Arkansas (11-2) at Food City Center. With Tennessee’s defensive dominance and new roster balance, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how this season unfolds.
Jones concluded with an observation about Tennessee’s progression: “I don’t know if we are better and they’re worse or maybe we had a better game plan coming in this year than we did last year.”
