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Tennessee Beats Creighton 82-75, One Win Away From First Final Four 🏀

Issue #042

30 Mar

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

📆 List of Upcoming Events

☀️ Columbia Weather - Sunny with a high of 77

🏀 Tennessee Beats Creighton 82-75, One Win Away From First Final Four 

🐴 Your Guide to More Mule-Themed Events!

🐣 Muletown Coffee Downtown Easter Egg Hunt

💃 The 2024 Spring Big Band Dance

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details! 

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

March 30th

April 1st

April 2nd

April 3rd

April 4th

April 5th

April 6th

April 7th

Tennessee Beats Creighton 82-75, One Win Away From First Final Four

Dalton Knecht's Stellar Performance Propels Vols Past Creighton to the Elite Eight.

Dalton Knecht was unstoppable, disrupting passing lanes for steals, raining down 3-pointers, and slashing to the basket to create opportunities for his teammates. His all-around brilliance was the driving force behind Tennessee's 82-75 victory over Creighton in the Midwest Regional Semifinal.

But Knecht wasn't a one-man show. The Volunteers' swarming defense, extending relentlessly from halfcourt to the rim, and their unselfish offensive execution overwhelmed the Bluejays. Knecht finished with 24 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals, while Zakai Zeigler added 18 points and 6 assists, and Josiah-Jordan James chipped in 17 points.

"He was trying to rebound and was really engaged defensively and wasn't just thinking about scoring," said Tennessee coach Rick Barnes about Knecht's performance.

After falling short in the Sweet 16 the past two seasons, the second-seeded Vols (27-8) matched their longest NCAA Tournament run and have their sights set on the program's first Final Four berth. They'll face top-seeded Purdue on Sunday for that coveted prize.

"We're ready to go out there and hopefully make some history," Knecht declared.

For third-seeded Creighton (25-10), it was another agonizingly close call, reaching the Sweet 16 for the third time in four years but coming up one win shy of the Elite Eight like last season.

"The further we get away from this game, the more I'll appreciate it," said Ryan Kalkbrenner, who had 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks.

Baylor Scheierman, a Third-Team All-American, led the Bluejays with 25 points. But Tennessee's tenacious defense smothered his teammates. "That's what we do, and I think it separates us. To sustain that pressure as long as we do, it wears on teams," said guard Jahmai Mashack.

Tennessee seized control with an 18-0 run to start the second half, forcing two Creighton timeouts as their lead ballooned to 55-39. The Bluejays rallied within three with a 9-0 spurt, but clutch 3-pointers by Knecht and a three-point play by Tobe Awaka stemmed the tide.

Knecht, a former junior college standout, relished living up to Tennessee's promise when he transferred: "This is what they said I was going to do and we were going to do. We knew it could be special."

Now one win from the Final Four, the Volunteers have a chance to author a historic chapter for the program against Purdue, a team they've already faced this season. As Barnes said, "They're much better and I'd like to think we are too."

Your Guide to More Mule-Themed Events!

Our neighbors donkey.

In addition to the Mule Day festivities at Maury County Park, there’s even more you won’t want to miss all over town. Here’s your guide for even more mule-themed events!

April 5th:

Columbia Breakfast Rotary Mule Day Auctioneers Championship

Tennessee Livestock Producers, 1231 Industrial Park Rd, Columbia, TN
11AM - 1PM

April 6th:

Masonic Lodge, 123 Theta Pike, Columbia, TN
6AM - 10AM

Memorial Building, 308 W 7th St, Columbia, TN
7AM - 11AM

Riverwalk Park, 102 Riverside Dr, Columbia, TN
8AM - 11AM

President James K. Polk Home & Museum, 301 W 7th St, Columbia TN
9AM - 11AM

102 Depot St, Columbia, TN
1PM - 1AM

307 Riverside Dr, Columbia, TN
7PM - 10PM

Ridley 4-H Center, 850 Lion Pkwy, Columbia TN
6PM - 9PM

The Barn At The Phelps Farm, 2659 TN-373, Culleoka, TN
6:30PM - 9:30PM

Muletown Coffee Downtown Easter Egg Hunt

Muletown Coffee has hidden 10 Easter eggs around the downtown square and it seems like the gold egg is extra special! This video was posted yesterday so there might still be time to find it!

The 2024 Spring Big Band Dance

The Merchants of Cool are happy to announce the 2024 spring big band dance is Friday, April 12th, 2024 from 7-9 pm at the historic Memorial Building in Columbia (308 West 7th). Free hors d'oeuvres and dance lessons. Cover $15 or $25/couple. Call / text if you need more info: (615)260-3808