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Tennessee Lady Vols 2018-2019 preview by position: Front court outlook

By Caleb Calhoun

DALLAS, TX - MARCH 15: Smokey, the mascot of the Tennessee Volunteers, performs during a time out in the second half against the Wright State Raiders in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at American Airlines Center on March 15, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - MARCH 15: Smokey, the mascot of the Tennessee Volunteers, performs during a time out in the second half against the Wright State Raiders in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at American Airlines Center on March 15, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images
Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images /

Biggest Questions

1. Can anybody replace Mercedes Russell’s production down low?

This will be the big question all year. Jaime Nared was a unique enough player for the Tennessee Lady Vols that we know nobody will be exactly like her. But Mercedes Russell was just a true center, and her inside dominance came up huge for this team at times.

This year, UT has two centers with a very bright future, but one saw sporadic minutes last year and the other is a freshman. So assuming they go with the experience in the rotation, it’ll be hard to see anybody match what Russell did. But could a group do it by committee with more depth? That’s possible, and it could help define the season.

2. Will Holly Warlick only use one post player at times in order to go small?

This was Warlick’s starting lineup last year, as she used Nared to be the other inside player. Will she do that again this year? As we mentioned, Rennia Davis is capable of playing the role of Nared. And Warlick is much more comfortable coaching guards, so she could definitely go small again.

With so much inexperience in the post game this year, that’s a strong possibility. The catch is while there’s less experience, there are more bodies. So it’s going to be a bit more tricky for Warlick to go small. Her management of the lineup will be a huge deal.

3. How much versatility will the inside game have?

Right now, Lou Brown is the only player we know to be in the inside game who can stretch the floor. Now, if Warlick goes small, then Rennia Davis will be in that rotation as well. But if not, the Tennessee Lady Vols need to find somebody else who brings versatility to the inside. That’s not just crucial for this year but for the future as well.

If every other forward on the roster can only camp out inside, Warlick will be seriously limited. She needs either Kasiyahna Kushkituah or Mimi Collins to be able to show a bit of versatility, if anything for depth and to keep defenses off balance. That will be critical for the year.