Tennessee Lady Vols 2020-2021 preview by position: Backcourt
1. How much improvement has been made at limiting turnovers?
There’s just no denying the fact that the Tennessee Lady Vols were horrible at taking care of the ball last year. They were ranked No. 255 in the nation in fewest turnovers a game with 17.2, and that was 12th worse in the SEC behind the Vanderbilt Commodores and Ole Miss Rebels.
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Jordan Horston was the main culprit, averaging over four a game. However, Rennia Davis and Rae Burrell both averaged over two a game. All three have to get better on this front, and that actually leads to our next question.
2. Will Jordan Horston, Rennia Davis and Rae Burrell be the sure starters?
Once Kellie Harper inserted Rae Burrell into the lineup, these three were the starters at the end of the year. That may be why Jazmine Massengill transferred, although Zaay Green transferring makes it a bit more of a question. Anyway, will that be the case this year? Jessie Rennie’s development and the arrival of Jordan Walker could encourage Harper to mix things up a bit.
Since Horston is a combo guard, there doesn’t seem to be a true point guard on the team, but could Destiny Salary or Tess Darby provide that? It’s possible, so pay attention to whether or not Harper switches up the lineup. She did it last year during the crucial stretch run of the season.
3. Are there now enough shooters to spread the floor?
When we talk about shooting, we mean at the free throw line and from beyond the arc. UT was 77th nationally in free throw shooting at 65.4 percent and only ahead of Ole Miss, the LSU Tigers and Florida Gators in the SEC.
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They also were 135th in three-point shooting and eighth in the SEC at 31.7 percent. The development of Jessie Rennie and arrival of Jordan Walker should help this, but as a go-to scorer, Rae Burrell needs to improve her free throw shooting after going 60 percent from the line last year. Her improving there and the other two players adding help will bode well for this team.