Where does Dalton Knecht rank among Tennessee basketball greats after historic season?

Dalton Knecht sat in solitude on the Tennessee basketball bench for 30 seconds at halftime Sunday in Detroit.

The Tennessee basketball guard leaned back amid the noise. His teammates took their final shots before the second half and Knecht watched, waiting on the side.

Knecht had delivered another terrific half. He had one last one in him at the end of one of the best seasons by any Vol in history.

"Every night, he's going to do what he did (Sunday)," guard Zakai Zeigler said. "We think he's the best player in the country. That will always be how I see him in my eyes − best player in the country."

Knecht cemented himself as one of the Tennessee greats in his only season as a Vol. But where does the Northern Colorado transfer rank in Vols history? He should be in the top-5.

My belief: He ranks as the third-best behind Bernard King and Dale Ellis and a spot ahead of Allan Houston and two ahead of Ernie Grunfeld.

Who are the best players in Tennessee basketball history?

Knecht put himself on the short list of all-time Tennessee players in only one season. The fact he played only one season, though, is one of the potential knocks on Knecht's ranking. Still, his single-season might be the best ever for a Tennessee player.

Knecht won the SEC player of the year and was a consensus first-team All-American while scoring at a clip rarely seen at the high-major level. He averaged 21.7 points and routinely had absurd scoring games. He likely is the runner-up for all national player of the year awards behind Purdue's Zach Edey. He also was the best player on arguably the best Tennessee team of all-time given the pairing of the SEC regular-season title and an Elite Eight.

His accolades alone warrant his place as one of the greats. He is one of four consensus first-team All-Americans in Vols history. King, who averaged a program-record 25.8 points per game, was the first in 1977. Ellis and Grant Williams followed in 1983 and 2019, respectively.

Houston was the most prolific scorer in Tennessee history. He ranks second in SEC history with 2,801 points. Chris Lofton was the best 3-point shooter in Vols history − and SEC history − with 431 made threes. Grunfeld, who averaged 22.8 points per game, Tony White and Dyron Nix warrant discussion. Rod Widby does, too. He was the SEC player of the year on an SEC championship team and UT's first NCAA Tournament team in 1967.

Where does Dalton Knecht rank in Tennessee basketball history?

The Tennessee record book should have a section called the Dalton Knecht addendum now. It is that production and how he scored that cements his place as one of the greats.

Knecht finished with 780 points, the second-most in a season by a Vol ever. The former junior-college star trails only Houston, who had 806 points in the 1990-91 season. He likely breaks Houston's mark if not for a scoring lull in December while playing with an injured ankle.

STORIES:Untold stories of Dalton Knecht's ascension to Tennessee basketball star, NBA Draft prospect

The 6-foot-6 guard had 13 25-point games, eight 30-point games, six 35-point games, and a 40-point game. A Tennessee player had scored 35 or more 50 times in history before Knecht. Knecht is tied for in UT history with eight 30-point games despite playing only one season. He often did his best work on the road, averaging 24.8 points in road games. He averaged 25.5 points in SEC play.

His ability to score at all three levels matters in the discussion. That isn't the case with some of those who also rank as some of the best at UT, although Ellis, Grunfeld and King played prior to the 3-point line existing in college basketball. Knecht's 3-point shooting was prolific. His ability to take over games was more prolific yet.

Rolled into a one-sentence case: Knecht was a scoring supernova who racked up national accolades on the Tennessee team with the most banner-worthy achievements yet. That's enough to place him in the top-5. The way he did it makes him No. 3.

Knecht leaned back on the scorer's table Sunday. He had less than five minutes left in his Tennessee career, but what a career it was.

Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on Twitter @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.