Rick Barnes gives injury update on key Tennessee transfer Tyler Lundblade
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Rick Barnes is counting on Belmont transfer sharpshooter Tyler Lundblade to be a key ingredient next season as Tennessee tries once more to climb the mountain and finally get to the Final Four.
But Lundblade is currently dealing with a back injury, which has sidelined him from Tennessee’s practices this summer. There has been concern over the status of Lundblade going forward, but on Thursday there came some clarity on Lundblade’s situation from Barnes. The veteran head coach talked to the media about where Lundblade stands right now, and Barnes’ report on his high-profile transfer should soothe the concerns of Tennessee basketball fans.
“Well, you don’t want anybody to get hurt. But if a guy can probably do it and sustain it and come back, it’s him,” Barnes told reporters.
Barnes explained that the Vols are taking a cautious approach with Lundblade, playing the long game with him because it’s only July and the season doesn’t start until November.
“… And again, just out of precautionary reasons, we’re going to make sure that we’re going to get him totally healthy. But he has kept involved and he’ll be fine,” Barnes said.
Lundblade is a 6-foot-5 potential star for the Volunteers next season. He was the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year last season, averaging 15.6 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. Lundblade shot 40.6% from 3-point territory, and he’ll bring that shooting to the SEC this fall, assuming he’s able to recover from his injury in time.
Tennessee has tortured its fans by getting so close to the Final Four in recent seasons without actually getting to the Final Four. The Vols will take another crack at it next season, and here is what the Kalshi market is currently saying about Tennessee’s chances to finally break through and get to that elusive Final Four:
Cory Nightingale, a former sportswriter and sports editor at the Miami Herald and Palm Beach Post, is a South Florida-based freelance writer who covers Alabama for SaturdayDownSouth.com.
