Tennessee Lady Vols 2020-2021 preview by position: Frontcourt

Biggest questions

1. Will the free throw shooting improve?

We mentioned with the backcourt how the Tennessee Lady Vols were one of the worst free throw shooting teams in the SEC. While everybody was accountable for that, the post players were horrendous, and that was the real problem. Not one returning player shot better than 58 percent from the foul line last year.

This was what kept Tamari Key, a five-star talent, from being an unstoppable force. Newcomer Keyen Green is 63 percent for her career, and Marta Suárez is a sharpshooter, so they should help. However, Rocky Top needs the other players to improve dramatically if they are going to use their length as an advantage.

2. Who starts at the four?

With the departure of Lou Brown, Kellie Harper can go multiple ways here. Key is likely locked in at the five with Kasiyahna Kushkituah coming off the bench, although they could alternate. If Harper wants to double down on her inside game, graduate transfer Green could step in.

However, Jaiden McCoy could take a big leap her second year in the system, and despite being a freshman, Suárez would bring the most versatility to the role. It comes down to McCoy, Green and Suárez unless Harper wants to have a major size advantage and start Key and Kushkituah together. That’s not likely.

3. Which player will become the go-to scorer?

As we already mentioned, no post player on last year’s team averaged double figures. UT has this major length advantage, but it’s nothing if the forwards and centers can’t score a lot. Much of this does fall on free throw shooting.

Anyway, Harper needs somebody to become that dominant force inside if she’s going to use length to her advantage. Key has all the hype, but Green is experienced at this level, and lots of players provide a good bit of potential. Who will be the star in the post, though?