Tennessee's Dalton Knecht Excites Fans with Clutch FTs in March Madness Win vs. Texas | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

It took until the very end, but the Tennessee Volunteers survived a major test.

The second-seeded Vols outlasted the seventh-seeded Texas Longhorns 62-58 in the second round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament.

Tennessee Basketball @Vol_Hoops

SURVIVED. ADVANCED. <a href="">

NCAA March Madness @MarchMadnessMBB

TENNESSEE IS MOVING ON TO THE SWEET 16 👏<a href="">#MarchMadness</a> <a href="">@Vol_Hoops</a> <a href="">

The Volunteers held off a late push from the Longhorns and avoided the upset at the hands of a future conference rival. Jonas Aidoo had 11 points, four rebounds and three assists for Tennessee, and Tobe Awaka had 10 points and five rebounds.

However, the story for Tennessee, as it has for much of the season, was the play of first-team All-American Dalton Knecht. He had 18 points, nine rebounds and an assist, but was not super efficient as he shot 5-of-18 and went 1-of-8 from three-point range.

Brian Pedersen @realBJP

Sounds like Dalton is having trouble being able to ... Knecht 😎

However, he really showed up at the free-throw line, going 7-of-8. This included two clutch makes at the end of the game that put Tennessee up by four, essentially putting the game away.

Fans took to social media to express appreciation for his clutch play despite some struggles early.

Vince Ferrara @VinceSports

Dalton Knecht <a href="">#Clutch</a> <a href="">@Vol_Hoops</a> headed to the Sweet 16 <a href="">#marchmadness</a> <a href="">

Charlie Burris @Charlie_Burris

Knecht had a terrible night but he still made the shots (specifically free throws) when it mattered. Also, HUGE shoutout to Aidoo on his clutch free throws. Big time performances.

Nathan Hiatt @NATE_HIATT

Did anyone actually think Dalton Knecht was going to miss those clutch free throws?<br><br>Definitely not me. <a href="">#MarchMadness</a>

Caleb @VolsAndDraft

Aidoo had an awful offensive game, came up in the clutch at the line.<br><br>Knecht had an awful game, came up in the clutch at the line. <a href="">#Vols</a>

SEC Hoops World 🌎 @SEC_Wrld

Tennessee survives and will move on to the Sweet Sixteen!<br><br>Came down to the wire but Aidoo and Knecht hit some clutch FTs down the stretch to ice the game 🥶<a href="">#MarchMadness</a> <a href="">

Eric Sisson @ESisson7

Aidoo and Knecht 🫡. Those free throws were as clutch as it gets

Sean Paul @SeanPaulCBB

Six clutch free throws from Jonas Aidoo and Dalton Knecht late.

Luke @luke3342

Ice in the veins from Aidoo and Knecht. That's clutch especially on a Rick Barnes team.

Kale Glynn @Farm_Lift

Dalton Knecht &amp; the Tennessee team came up CLUTCH at the Free throw line

VOLS @vol_ben

Knecht is clutch FT out of breaks.

Sam Rothman @samrothman_

Dalton Knecht in the 2nd half = definition of clutch. <a href="">#Vols</a> <a href="">

Miles McDowell @journeyofMilesM

Knecht and Jo big time shots. Knecht and Aidoo knocking down clutch free throws. Texas made a run, we answered. Fought through worst shooting night of season. Final Four characteristics. 2 down, 4 to go. 1-0 4 times. 🍊

Ben Sig 🚬 @sig_50

Knecht has the opportunity here to do one of the funniest things in pulling a Boston #0 and be an average player throughout but make the clutch play late to save face.

Wes @realMillertyme

We shot the ball terribly tonight but played great defense and rebounded. Like the saying goes, good teams find a way to win! Aidoo and Knecht were clutch at the line.

Octavius Diamond-Chandelier @mahomessburner

Knecht with a shaky game from the field but buries 4/4 from the stripe in clutch time. Saved a young man's hopes and dreams tonight

TennesseEV Bets @TennesseEVBets

Knecht has been a shaky FT shooter all year in the clutch

Max Greenberg @MaxGreenberg176

Vols win! Holy hell what a game, and damn good job by Dalton Knecht to knock down some clutch free throws <a href="">#MarchMadness</a>

SmoketheComp @VolDog1998

Knecht is CLUTCH

The win advances Tennessee to the Sweet 16 round. This is the farthest the program has gone since 2018-19, when it reached the same round. The Volunteers have not reached the Elite Eight since 2009-10.

Tennessee will await the winner of Creighton and Oregon.