Tennessee basketball landed its sixth commit out of the transfer portal on Friday afternoon when Kennesaw State transfer Braedan Lue committed to the Vols shortly after completing his official visit. The Vols needed to add more size and defense to their roster before next season and Lue provides that.
Lue spent his first two collegiate seasons at Kennesaw State and is coming off a sophomore season where he averaged 10.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, 1.2 assists and 0.9 assists while helping lead Kennesaw State to a NCAA Tournament appearance.
What is Tennessee getting in Lue and how will they use him? Taking a look here.
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What Are Lue’s Strengths?
Lue is a strong defensive player who provided rim protection at Kennesaw State while also having defensive versatility with an ability to defend multiple positions. The Atlanta native earned Conference USA All-Defensive Team honors a season ago.
The 6-foot-9, 235-pound forward has a 7-foot-1 wingspan and totaled 86 blocks and 56 steals over his first two collegiate seasons including 50 blocks in his sophomore season. His 5.8% block rate last season ranked 133rd nationally amongst qualified players last season.
Offensively, Lue does most of his scoring around the rim though he is capable of knocking down jump shots and showed solid touch with his free throw shooting (69% last season) as well.
How Will Tennessee Use Lue?
Tennessee sees Lue as more of a four-man who is also capable of playing the five-spot in spurts. The Vols biggest asks of Lue will be for production defensively, especially with his ability to switch on smaller guards.
Offensively, Tennessee will use Lue as a screener and a lob threat. He was effective scoring off cuts as was Notre Dame transfer commit Jalen Haralson last season. The Vols use cuts some in their offense and could look to add more next season.
Lue has a unique skillset that Tennessee does not currently have on its roster. They hope he can provide some of the same things that Josiah-Jordan James and Igor Milicic did on the defensive end and as rebounders from similar positions a few years ago.
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Questions About Lue’s Game
To me, the biggest question is how much Lue can hold up as a rim protecting five-man in the SEC. He did that at a high-level in Conference USA but the SEC is obviously a completely different beast on the inside.
With where Tennessee’s roster currently stands, the Vols could need Lue to play the five-spot for extended minutes of games due to foul trouble or if Tennessee deals with any injuries.
Rebounding is another question for Lue. He was a solid rebounder at Kennesaw State, averaging 5.3 per game, but was not great. How well will he rebound in the SEC?
Then what about the shooting? Lue made 55 three-pointers at a 27.8% clip in his first two collegiate seasons. Can he make strides there to be a threat from deep? Will Barnes let him shoot many three-pointers?
What Does Lue’s Commitment Mean For Tennessee Basketball
Tennessee now has 12 scholarship players on its roster for next season. The Vols are down to just three scholarships as they look to complete their roster.
On the inside, Tennessee now has Miles Rubin, DeWayne Brown and Lue as more traditional big men. Haralson and incoming freshman Chris Washington Jr are both also capable of playing the four-spot. Expect Tennessee to go small next season.
What’s left for Tennessee’s roster? They continue to pursue star Wake Forest transfer Juke Harris and await official word on Nate Ament’s draft decision. I still expect the Vols to add one more big man but do not think it’s going to be a big name that commands much financial commitment.
