Isaac McKneely Visits Tennessee: A Potential Answer to the Vols' Shooting Void

By Pablo Cong

With Tennessee aiming to reload following a strong season, the Vols have set their sights on Virginia transfer Isaac McKneely, who recently entered the transfer portal. McKneely's visit to Knoxville is pivotal as head coach Rick Barnes and his staff work to address the perimeter shooting gap left by key departures, notably Zakai Ziegler, Chaz Lanier, and Jahmai Mashack.

Transfer Portal: Sharpshooter Isaac McKneely to visit Tennessee

Tennessee is in the market to add several guards. #volunteers #tennesseesports #tennesseevolunteers #vols https://t.co/0bUFXItrtB pic.twitter.com/CUxC5aPvCy

— Tennessee Fandom (@tennesseefandom) March 29, 2025

McKneely visited Louisville over the weekend, and is expected to arrive in Knoxville Monday night.  Those two programs are believed to be the top contenders.  He hasn’t ruled out a return to Virginia, and North Carolina is hoping to secure a visit too.  McKneely, out of Poca High in West Virginia, has one season of remaining eligibility.  

McKneely's Impact as a Shooter

The 6'4" sharpshooter built his reputation at Virginia with his elite outside shooting and floor-spacing ability. Across two seasons with the Cavaliers, McKneely became one of the ACC's most dependable three-point snipers, knocking down over 40% from beyond the arc. His quick release, strong understanding of off -ball movement, and proficiency in catch-and-shoot situations make him a seamless fit for a Tennessee squad looking to replenish its perimeter firepower. 

Isaac McKneely shooting clinic 🔥@UVAMensHoops | @VirginiaSports | #GoHoos pic.twitter.com/MWHEb0qgrm

— ACC Digital Network (@theACCDN) January 30, 2025

This year's squad could have significantly benefited from McKneely's skill set, as they relied heavily on driving and kicking—a strategy that proved their downfall against Houston. The Cougars excel at limiting dribble penetration and disrupting passing lanes with their defensive intelligence, highlighting Tennessee's need for a reliable perimeter shooter. McKneely's ability to stretch the floor could have helped space out Houston's defense, creating more driving lanes and opening up the offense. It looks like you're trying to fix a basketball stat line. Here's a corrected version of the stat line:

McKneely's 2025 season stats- 14.4 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 2.0 APG, 43.9% FG, 42.0% 3PFG

With Ziegler, Lanier, and Mashack moving on, Tennessee loses three key contributors who played vital roles on both ends. Lanier, the team's most dependable outside shooter, kept defenses honest with his deep range, while Mashack brought defensive versatility and secondary scoring. Ziegler, the team's leader and floor general, was the engine that kept the offense running. McKneely has the potential to step in and help fill that void, particularly as a perimeter-scoring threat.

3/31/25 Visit for McKneely

McKneely's swift visit to Tennessee is a significant development and a strong indicator of mutual interest. As we await word on how the visit went, there's plenty of reason to be optimistic about the Vols' chances of landing the sharpshooter. While his initial interest and any potential ties to Knoxville remain unclear, one thing is certain—the Tennessee staff is sure to roll out the red carpet in hopes of securing his commitment, as he would be a tremendous addition to the program.

The Vols' Roster Outlook

Tennessee has already been active in the transfer portal, looking to add pieces that complement returning stars. With the addition of a proven shooter like McKneely, the Vols could significantly improve their perimeter spacing, making life easier for their playmakers and post players.

McKneely's visit signals serious mutual interest between both parties and if Tennessee can land him, he could be a game-changing addition for the Vols heading into next season. His ability to knock down shots at a high clip would help replace the production lost with Lanier's departure and provide another experienced weapon for a Tennessee squad with aspirations of making another deep NCAA Tournament run.

With McKneely weighing his options in the portal, Tennessee remains one of the top destinations to watch. If the Vols can secure his commitment, they'll take a major step toward addressing their biggest offseason need: perimeter shooting.

Other names to Watch

Rick Barnes and the coaching staff will have no time to rest as the transfer portal is quickly heating up.  Other likely top targets include Maryland point guard JaKobi Gillespie and Division II sensation Elyjah Freeman.  We keep a running list of transfer recruits of interest to the Vols on the new Locker Room Access Tennessee forum.  Come join the discussion. 

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(Featured Image Credit: UVA Athletics)