Former Belmont star chooses SEC powerhouse over Wildcats and Casey Alexander

First-year Kansas State men’s basketball head coach Casey Alexander has been on a heater on the recruiting trail, but that momentum may have just hit a wall. Another one of his former players at Belmont has made a decision on his future, and it won’t be with the Wildcats.

Former Belmont standout Tyler Lundblade announces commitment to Tennessee Volunteers

Alexander and his staff have done their part so far, flipping two former recruits in Jaylen Alexander and Devin Hutcherson from the Bruins to future Wildcats. As for his former players in the transfer portal, he's already down one.

Tyler Lundblade, a former Belmont guard who averaged 15.6 points per game in 2025-26, announced his decision to leave the Bruins after Alexander's departure. He's one of two big names to leave the Bruins alongside Drew Scharnowski.

Lundblade, the 2026 Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year, announced his commitment to via Instagram Tennessee on April 1. He's the first of Alexander's former players to announce commitment outside of Manhattan.

Why Lundblade's decision to avoid Kansas State might pay dividends

There's a lot to unpack when it comes to the SEC, including big names, NIL revenue, and the entirely different ball game that is recuriting. When opportunities arrise for players like Lundblade, they're hard to pass up.

For a player of his caliber, it’s no surprise that programs like Tennessee would go all-in to land him. The Volunteers secured his commitment after hosting him on an official visit.

Tennessee made its third consecutive Elite Eight appearance in this year's NCAA Tournament. And head coach Rick Barnes. He's got a proven track record of success dating back to 2015. It’s also worth noting that Barnes has made the tournament in each of the last eight seasons, excluding 2020 when there was no postseason play.

For Alexander, it opens the doors for a new 'old school' opportunity. One less transfer could mean another recruit from the high school ranks. So far, he's already proven capable in that department in recruiting Alexander.

Between his first two high school recruits, Alexander stands out as a former Alabama High School Player of the Year Finalist and Gatorade Player of the year in his home state. Previous reports indicate that he led Oxford High School to a 30-4 record in his junior season.

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