Tyler Lundblade Joins Tennessee Basketball
Tyler Lundblade has officially chosen to play for Tennessee basketball. This move gives Coach Rick Barnes a talented shooter from the transfer portal.
Lundblade, who previously played at Belmont, committed during his official visit, which included a fun outing at a Tennessee baseball game. He initially planned to leave on Tuesday but decided to stay an extra day to explore his options.
At Belmont, Lundblade stood out by making 219 three-pointers over two seasons. He shot an impressive 43.9% from beyond the arc. Standing at 6-foot-5, he has one season left to make an impact with the Vols. He is the first player Tennessee has signed from the transfer portal this season, showing just how eager they were to bring him on board.
Named the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year in 2025-26, Lundblade entered the transfer portal on March 23. That season, he averaged 15.6 points per game and was among just 17 players to sink over 100 three-pointers, with a total of 115 makes.
His previous season was even more remarkable, as he led the nation with a 48.1% shooting rate from three-point range, hitting 104 shots. Additionally, Lundblade excelled at the free-throw line, posting a 93.4% success rate this past season after an impressive 94.4% the year before.
Starting as a walk-on at SMU, Lundblade eventually transferred to TCU for two seasons before his time at Belmont.
Looking ahead, Tennessee is keen to strengthen its roster further. The team aims to recruit more guards, especially those who can shoot well. They’re particularly in search of a starting point guard and two additional guards with strong starting potential, as well as some rim protection for the upcoming 2026-27 season.
Recent trends in college basketball show an increased emphasis on sharpshooters like Lundblade. As teams adapt to a faster-paced game that relies heavily on three-point shooting, players who excel in that area are becoming increasingly valued. This shift is reflected in recent statistics; ESPN reports that the number of three-pointers attempted per game has risen significantly in the past decade, emphasizing the need for players who can reliably hit shots from beyond the arc.
By bringing in Lundblade, Tennessee hopes to enhance its scoring options and maintain competitiveness in an evolving landscape.
For more on college basketball trends, including detailed statistics, check out NCAA’s official stats.
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