Rick Barnes comments on addition of MVC Player of the Year Tyler Lundblade
By Ethan Stone
Published:
Tennessee basketball added the first transfer portal commitment of its offseason this past week with the addition of grad transfer Tyler Lundblade, who spent the past 2 seasons with Belmont.
The 2026 MVC Player of the Year is as efficient a scorer as you’ll find in the transfer portal. He shot a blistering 40.6% from 3 and drained 84 of his 90 free throw attempts, averaging 15.6 points per game for one of the best mid-major programs in the country. Belmont gave Lundblade a lot of dribble-handoff looks in 2026, and his quick release makes him dangerous the second he gets an inch of space.
Tennessee made Lundblade’s signing official on Thursday. Here’s what head coach Rick Barnes had to say about the Vols’ latest addition:
“We are thrilled to start our portal class with Tyler, who is both an exceptional player and an impressive young man,” Barnes said in a UT release. “There is no doubt Tyler is one of the very best shooters at the college level and he proved that in one of the nation’s premier conferences. He can score in a variety of ways, whether that is a catch-and-shoot, dribble-handoff or off-the-dribble situation. Tyler has consistently been a part of winning teams and he brings a great deal of experience, as well as a tireless work ethic, with him to Rocky Top.”
The Vols have several more moves to make in the transfer portal, which officially opens on April 7. Among other moves, expect Tennessee (like many other power programs) to search for a rim-protecting big to replace Felix Okpara, as well as a lead guard that can run Barnes’ offense.
The Final Four starts on Saturday. Here’s a look at the latest odds to cut down the nets, via Kalshi:
Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.
