Vols never trail in victory vs. Badgers

Tennessee led wire to wire Friday night in downing Wisconsin 80-70 inside the Kohl Center.

Dalton Knecht led the No. 9 Volunteers with 24 points, and his layup and free throw with 7:33 remaining provided the visitors a 62-56 lead and a multipossession cushion that would hold for the remainder of the game. Jonas Aidoo’s layup off an assist by Zakai Zeigler with 4:45 to play gave Tennessee its first double-digit advantage at 68-58.

“That was a big-time win,” Tennessee coach Rick Barnes said afterward on the Vol Network. “They’re a heck of a basketball team. They’re so strong and physical and can back you down, but I’m just really proud of our guys. We’re will trying to mix and match and put it all together.”

Josiah-Jordan James added 14 points for the Vols (2-0), while Aidoo and Jordan Gainey each chipped in 10 against the Badgers (1-1).

Tennessee grabbed a 43-35 halftime lead on 15-of-26 (57.7%) shooting from the floor that included a 5-of-8 (62.5%) clip from 3-point range. The Vols built a 19-11 lead on a pair of Santiago Vescovi free throws at the 12:41 mark of the first half and reclaimed the eight-point advantage at 41-33 on a Cade Phillips dunk off a Jahmai Mashack assist with 1:46 before the break.

“They crushed us on the glass early in the game, but we adjusted,” Barnes said. “When we had to get a couple of stops, we did. I thought that every guy who played made a contribution.

“We’ve got the kind of team that will keep growing. We’ve got a chance every night we go out, and that’s all we can ask for.”

The Vols return to action Tuesday night, when they host Wofford at 6:30.