So, let’s go through a little history:
- Barnes took over a Providence program in 1988 that went 11-17 the year prior, and they fired that coach after one year (sound familiar?). Two years prior, Pitino took them to the FF with 5 players that Barnes never coached. Eric Murdock and Marty Conlin ended up playing some in the NBA after their two years with Barnes. Barnes makes 3 NCAAT’s in 6 years. Loses by 3 as a 12 seed in 1989, by 1 in OT as a 9 seed in 1990, and by 6 as a 8 seed in 1994.
- Barnes goes to Clemson. Greg Buckner had committed to him at Providence, follows him to Clemson, and starts 122 games all 4 years. Buckner was a KY high school player, so he wasn’t good enough for UK. He goes to the NCAAT 3 out of 4 years. In 1996, they beat 4 ranked teams including Duke and UNC. They lose by 7 as a 9 seed.
In 1997, they beat 5 ranked teams, including UK, who eventually went to the title game. They also beat Duke and Maryland twice. They go to the Sweet 16 as a 4 seed and lost to #1 seed Minnesota in double OT. In 1998, they beat 3 ranked teams and did not meet pre-season expectations. Lost as a 6 seed by 3. Buckner and Harold Jamison played in the NBA. Clemson doesn’t get back to a SS for (I think) 21 years.
- In 1999, he inherits a fairly young team at Texas that went 14-17 the year prior. Slow start, but they go 13-3 in the Big 12. Loses by 4 as a 7 seed. In 2000, they lose in the second round by 5 as a 5 seed.
In 2001, it was a good regular season but bad post season. In 2002, he started to recruit well. As a 6 seed, they reach the Sweet 16 and lose to #2 Oregon by 2. In 2003, they reach the FF and lose to eventual national champion, Syracuse, with Carmelo.
In 2004, they reach the SS. In 2005, Barnes is kind of the early Calipari strategy with really young but talented teams. They lose as a 8 seed by 4 points. In 2006, they beat 6 ranked teams, including 2 top 5 teams. They get to the EE and lose to 4 seeded LSU in OT. After this season, they lose 3 players early to the NBA.
In 2007, Durant comes in, but as many don’t research, this team’s 4 of top 5 scorers are freshmen, and the 5th is a sophomore. This team has NO contributors that are juniors or seniors. They beat 3 ranked teams. As a 4 seed, they lose in round 2 to 5 seed USC. Not strangely enough, only Durant leaves, and in 2008, they go to the EE. They beat 5 ranked teams, 2 in top 5, and lose to 1 seed Memphis (who has pro talent too).
In 2009, they had more veteran talent but not high level NBA talent. Lose to 2 seed Duke as a 7 seed by 5 points. In 2010, a bit of roster turnover as the starting guards are true freshmen. They lose as a 8 seed by 1 point in OT. In 2011, they beat 6 ranked teams. They lose in the second round to 5 seed Arizona by 1 point. Arizona then beat 1 seed Duke.
In 2012, more turnover at guard, and they don’t have near as much talent. Lost by 6 points as an 11 seed. 2013 was his only year to miss the NCAAT at Texas. In 2014, talent was just not as good. They still beat 5 ranked teams. Lost in 2nd round as a 7 seed to 2 seed Michigan State. In 2015, he did bring in Myles Turner. Beat 3 ranked teams and lost as an 11 seed by 8 points to Butler. He finishes taking Texas to 16 NCAAT’s when they had been to 17 in their history.
People can interpret all of this as they may. But with how competitive the sport has gotten, this is a hell of a resume. Some generally know who he’s coached but don’t know specifics. Just like Calipari not getting to a FF with Wall, Cousins, Bledsoe or losing to St. Peter’s and Coach K not getting to a FF with Zion. Those things happen. But, getting 4 schools to the NCAAT and 3 of them to a SS is really good, especially at the schools he has coached at. I am glad we have him.
