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Ranking departing Tennessee Lady Vols by toughest to replace

By Caleb Calhoun

Feb 27, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Lady Vols seniors forward Alexus Dye (2) and forward Keyen Green (13) and guard Rae Burrell (12) pose before a game on senior day against the LSU Lady Tigers at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Lady Vols seniors forward Alexus Dye (2) and forward Keyen Green (13) and guard Rae Burrell (12) pose before a game on senior day against the LSU Lady Tigers at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tennessee forward Alexus Dye (2) gets the rebound during the SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament game against Kentucky in Nashville, Tenn. on Saturday, March 5, 2022.Sec Ut Ky
Tennessee forward Alexus Dye (2) gets the rebound during the SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament game against Kentucky in Nashville, Tenn. on Saturday, March 5, 2022.Sec Ut Ky /

Signed WNBA Camp Contract with Connecticut Sun

Both power forwards from last year’s team are gone. The Tennessee Lady Vols at least got somewhat used to playing without Keyen Green, as she missed the final 15 games of the year. However, Alexus Dye will be a lot more difficult to play without, particularly with how she played down the stretch of the season.

Dye had to shoulder a larger role once Green went out, and she willingly accepted that. Starting alongside Key, she became a primary scorer with her post skills and finished the year averaging over 10 points and seven and a half rebounds a game.

Her value really showed in tournament time. From SEC Tournament play through the NCAA Tournament Round of 32, Dye reeled off 16, 26, 18 and 20 points and was a huge reason they were able to get back to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2016.

You can’t just replace that overnight regardless of who you bring in. There’s a reason that, despite not being drafted, she got a look at the WNBA level, and he pro prospects are great. Also, she’s the only player on this list who started every game. Taking that into account, it’s really hard to see next year without her.