Tyler Lundblade, a transfer to Tennessee basketball from Belmont, is in recovery after undergoing back surgery in August. His surgery came after he had tried various non-surgical treatments, which failed to alleviate his pain. Lundblade, who was named the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year for the 2025-26 season, is currently limited in preseason practices but is optimistic about returning to full fitness.
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On September 22, during the first day of preseason practices, Lundblade expressed his frustration about being sidelined. "No one wants to be hurt, especially going into a new place," he said. He added that his injury is "nothing major" and that he is looking forward to returning soon.
Lundblade's recovery involves light activities such as form shooting and stationary ball-handling, and he has been using an underwater treadmill. He hopes to transition to running on solid ground shortly. Currently, he is observing practices from the sidelines, which he describes as "the hardest part" of his recovery process. Despite being limited in physical participation, he remains engaged with the team by assisting in huddles and participating in film study.
Head coach Rick Barnes has involved Lundblade in strategic discussions, treating him like an assistant coach at times. Lundblade has contributed by sharing insights from his experience at Belmont, where he was instrumental in leading the team to a 26-4 record and an MVC regular season title, averaging 15.6 points per game and shooting 40.6% from beyond the arc last season.
While Lundblade may not be the primary offensive option immediately due to a talented backcourt, he is confident in his ability to contribute to the team's success. "I feel like I can fit into any system... if we had someone like me on the floor, the court’s going to be spread out a lot more," he stated, noting the potential benefits of his playing style for the Vols.