Vols' Zakai Zeigler Says Dalton Knecht Is CBB's Best Player

Tennessee Volunteers guard Zakai Zeigler had strong words to describe his backcourt mate Dalton Knecht after their Elite 8 loss to the Purdue Boilermakers.

Tennessee's Zakai Zeigler (5) and Dalton Knecht (3) talk as they take to the floor to start the NCAA / Saul Young/News Sentinel / USA TODAY

Tennessee Volunteers guard Zakai Zeigler had strong words to describe his backcourt mate Dalton Knecht after their Elite 8 loss to the Purdue Boilermakers.

Tennessee guard Dalton Knecht powered the Vols through the NCAA Tournament, averaging 26 points per game and scoring 37 in their final outing against the Purdue Boilermakers. His running mate Zakai Zeigler was equally as impressive throughout the season, earning SEC Defensive Player of the Year despite being listed at 5'9".

After their loss, Knecht is out of eligibility and will test the NBA Draft waters this offseason. According to Bleacher Reports' latest projections, the reigning SEC Player of the Year is projected as the No. 15 pick in the upcoming draft. Zeigler weighed in on Knecht's talents, declaring him the top talent in the sport.

"Dalton Knecht is the best player in the country," Zeigler proclaimed during his postgame press conference. "I don't care what anybody else says. He's the best player in the country." Knecht finished as one of four consensus first-team All-Americans. He spent one season at Tennessee and finished 28 points short of their single-season scoring record.

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