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Tennessee Lady Vols 2021-2022 season preview: Backcourt

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee's Rae Burrell (12) takes a shot during an NCAA women’s basketball game between the Tennessee Lady Vols and Connecticut Huskies in Knoxville, Tenn. on Thursday, January 21, 2021.Kns Lady Vols Uconn
Tennessee's Rae Burrell (12) takes a shot during an NCAA women’s basketball game between the Tennessee Lady Vols and Connecticut Huskies in Knoxville, Tenn. on Thursday, January 21, 2021.Kns Lady Vols Uconn /
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Jan 14, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Lady Vols guard Rae Burrell (12) and guard Jordan Horston (25) wears jerseys in support of We Back Pat during the second half against the Georgia Lady Bulldogs against the Georgia Lady Bulldogs at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 14, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Lady Vols guard Rae Burrell (12) and guard Jordan Horston (25) wears jerseys in support of We Back Pat during the second half against the Georgia Lady Bulldogs against the Georgia Lady Bulldogs at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /

Returning starters

Rae Burrell

  • 6’1″
  • Senior
  • Las Vegas, Nev.

The star of this unit, Rae Burrell is a preseason All-American. Burrell has been one of the best development stories in the Tennessee Lady Vols’ recent history. She worked her way into the rotation alongside Rennia Davis with a breakout finish to Kellie Harper’s first season, and she took a huge step forward last year.

Burrell averaged 16.8 points while shooting 40.2 percent from three. Her scoring is highly efficient, and given the jump it made last year, she should be the most lethal scorer in the nation this year. Add in her averaging nearly a steal a game along with 4.6 rebounds and shooting 82.5 percent from the free throw line, and she seems ready to take on a greater burden with Davis gone.

Jordan Walker

  • 5’8″
  • Senior
  • Muskegon, Mich.

Upon transferring from the Western Michigan Broncos, Jordan Walker was immediately part of UT’s rotation last year. She finished the year as the starting point guard, and that’s why we have her on this list, as she started the final eight games of the year and 12 on the season overall.

Walker averaged just 5.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.28 assists. She also averaged 2.32 turnovers and shot 59 percent from the free throw line. If Walker is going to remain the starter, those efficiency numbers have to change dramatically. To be fair, she was getting acclimated to a new system, so another year playing for Harper should help.