Dalton Knecht was again sensational for Tennessee on Wednesday night, leading the Volunteers to a hard-fought road win over South Carolina that secured the regular-season SEC championship for UT.

Like Vols everywhere, Knecht celebrated the SEC title. One national radio host took issue with how Knecht celebrated.

Andrew Perloff of CBS Sports Radio (known to “Dan Patrick Show” fans as McLovin), called out Knecht for pointing at his ring finger. Perloff felt Knecht’s celebration indicated that he and the Vols lack bigger goals.

Knecht can both celebrate an SEC title and have bigger national goals. And Perloff’s take is about to go freezing cold.

Wednesday night was a big deal for Knecht and a big deal for Tennessee.

Knecht is a fifth-year player enjoying his first season of SEC basketball. He played two seasons at Northeastern Junior College in Colorado and two seasons at Northern Colorado before taking his talents to Rocky Top. In his first season of the SEC spotlight and playing in front of big crowds twice a week, Knecht has led his team to a conference title and potential No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Tennessee last won a regular-season SEC basketball championship in 2018. Wednesday’s win was also important to locking up the No. 1 seed in the SEC Basketball Tournament, securing one of the four double-byes.

Assuming Knecht and the Vols don’t have bigger goals is ludicrous. Perloff is asking to land on @OldTakesExposed.

Rick Barnes has a 199-98 record in his Tennessee tenure. He has taken UT to the last five NCAA Tournaments. UT’s sixth time dancing under Barnes could come with a No. 1 seed.

Under Barnes, Tennessee has yet to make it past the Sweet 16. UT as a program last reached the Elite 8 in 2010 under Bruce Pearl. The Vols have never been to a Final Four.

It’s insulting to Barnes and Tennessee basketball to accuse Knecht and the Vols of not having “bigger Tournament goals.” Barnes has been in coaching since 1977 and a head coach since 1987. It’s safe to say that when UT recruited Knecht out of the portal, part of the pitch to come to Rocky Top was to use his extra eligibility to help bring a championship to Rocky Top.

We don’t have to wait long to put Perloff’s take to the test. Tennessee wraps up the regular season Saturday at home against Kentucky.

If the Vols are only focused on the SEC title, they’ll take it easy on Saturday and rest the starters after the grind of three straight games against ranked opponents.

More likely? Knecht and Co. keep their foot on the gas. There’s a No. 1 NCAA Tournament seed to play for, and Knecht is a Player of the Year candidate. Oh, and there’s the added bonus of hurting Kentucky’s SEC Tournament seeding.

Tennessee continues the pursuit of its remaining goals Saturday at 4 p.m. ET against Kentucky.

Ready to bet on Tennessee tournament action? SDS has you covered with the top Tennessee sports betting apps!