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Tennessee Lady Vols’ five biggest preseason storylines for 2021-2022

By Caleb Calhoun

From left, Tennessee Lady Vols basketball guard Brooklynn Miles (0), guard/forward Sara Puckett (1), guard Jordan Walker (4), and forward Alexus Dye (2) during practice in Knoxville, Tenn. on Tuesday, October 5, 2021.Kns Wbball Practice
From left, Tennessee Lady Vols basketball guard Brooklynn Miles (0), guard/forward Sara Puckett (1), guard Jordan Walker (4), and forward Alexus Dye (2) during practice in Knoxville, Tenn. on Tuesday, October 5, 2021.Kns Wbball Practice /
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Dec 10, 2020; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Lady Vols guard Jordan Horston (25) brings the ball up court against the Furman Lady Paladins during the second half at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2020; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Lady Vols guard Jordan Horston (25) brings the ball up court against the Furman Lady Paladins during the second half at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Will experience improve Lady Vols’ backcourt efficiency?

We know about the Tennessee Lady Vols’ length advantage, their need to address the loss of Rennia Davis’ production and the depth they need to bring to continue all of those advantages in the post. What about the backcourt, though?

Pretty much everybody is back at guard. Jordan Horston has been an explosive player for two years, and Jordan Walker provided stability last year. However, with them running the show, turnovers have remained an issue. UT was 13th in the SEC in turnovers last year, committing nearly 17 a game.

Beyond that issue, Harper brought in Jessie Rennie two years ago and Marta Suárez last year, both from overseas, to add three-point shooting to the mix. Rennie played sparingly and just hit one out of 14 three-point attempts. Suárez  became a rotational player but only shot 29.6 percent from the three-point line.

Can these guys improve their efficiency in the backcourt? This means Horston, Walker and even Rae Burrell limiting their turnovers while Suárez and Rennie become sharpshooters. If those things happen, then UT should have the best half-court offense in the nation.

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Having a ton of returning talent is a huge benefit usually in college, but that’s only if players develop. This will be a major test for Kellie Harper. She is a former guard herself, so the Tennessee Lady Vols’ backcourt taking this major step will be all on her coaching.