National media outlet gives the last laugh to former Tennessee Vols standout Dalton Knecht over Zach Edey

The NBA Draft order became set on Sunday , and as such, revised mock drafts are beginning to roll in.  ESPN put theirs out on Sunday afternoon, and former Tennessee Vols superstar and consensus first team All-American Dalton Knecht got a lofty prediction from ESPN's Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo .  The duo projected Knecht to end up at #8 with the San Antonio Spurs.

That ends up being in line with what the NBA sent out to teams regarding where they projected their consensus Top 10 players for the upcoming draft set to take place on June 26-27, with Dalton Knecht falling in the 7-10 range.

In case you were wondering, yes, that's seven places higher than where Zach Edey - without his traveling band of black-and-white-striped officials/minstrels - was predicted.  Givony and Woo tabbed the Miami Heat to take Edey at pick number 15.

Edey and the Boilermakers were given the benefit of many a doubt during the Purdue's run to the Final Four, including against Tennessee in the Elite Eight, which Purdue won 72-66.  It goes without saying that the standard of whistles between Edey and every other player was on a different level.

However, simply being tall and trying to bowl your way over everyone to earn to a trip to the free throw line won't cut it in the NBA.  Officials won't let you camp out in the lane and each team has big and physical players who can defend the rim at an elite level.  While a great rim protector and rebounder, Edey doesn't offer much offensively in the double-digit foot range from the basket, something that some other NBA centers provide. Conversely, it appears as though scouts and experts value more what Knecht has as far as shooting range and individual scoring ability.

Edey got over on Knecht and Tennessee in last year.  That's pretty undeniable.  The Boilermakers went 2-0 against the Vols with two six-point wins.  Edey swept the national player of the year awards over Knecht.

However, Knecht appears to be in position to end up in a higher draft position, and thus a significantly higher contract based on the NBA rookie scale.  Millions of dollars.  That's a good last laugh that would go all the way to the bank for Knecht.

Related: ESPN gives early bracketology prediction for Tennessee Vols in 2025