Rick Barnes: Year One

[DC_Vol]

I remember a lot of posters here accused him of coming to Tennessee just to collect a paycheck until retirement. Search paycheck in this forum and you’ll find dozens upon dozens of examples.

 

[BernardKingGOAT]

I remember a lot of posters here accused him of coming to Tennessee just to collect a paycheck until retirement. Search paycheck in this forum and you’ll find dozens upon dozens of examples.

That was the Gridscape narrative too

 

[vols 30]

Amazing that beating Vandy that year was considered an upset.


Also, there's a few negative posts in the first few pages by posters who like to now jump on others for being negative

 

[VolsAgainstTheWorld15]

I remember a lot of posters here accused him of coming to Tennessee just to collect a paycheck until retirement. Search paycheck in this forum and you’ll find dozens upon dozens of examples.

Tony Basilio propagated that quite a bit if I remember correctly. He may not have been the only media member pushing the “Barnes is here to collect a retirement check” agenda, but I distinctly remember him pushing it in his blog numerous times. Or it may have been one of his contributors. Either way, I remember seeing that belief pushed in his blog more than once.

 

[cncchris33]

Tony Basilio propagated that quite a bit if I remember correctly. He may not have been the only media member pushing the “Barnes is here to collect a retirement check” agenda, but I distinctly remember him pushing it in his blog numerous times. Or it may have been one of his contributors. Either way, I remember seeing that belief pushed in his blog more than once.

And now he's one of Barnes's biggest supporters. He tends to pile on every March when we get knocked out, but he's changed his tune overall since the hire. He used to have a running count on number of days since Rick Barnes landed a top-100 player, and that thing blew up in his face quickly when Grant, Bone, Kyle Alexander, Fulkerson, et.al. torpedoed his no-talent narrative.

 

[zjcvols]

And now he's one of Barnes's biggest supporters. He tends to pile on every March when we get knocked out, but he's changed his tune overall since the hire. He used to have a running count on number of days since Rick Barnes landed a top-100 player, and that thing blew up in his face quickly when Grant, Bone, Kyle Alexander, Fulkerson, et.al. torpedoed his no-talent narrative.

I can’t imagine anyone not being happy with the program right now. The March is still frustrating but the SEC tournament win bought me some goodwill and getting another SEC regular season title would be awesome.

It’s like having a perfect meal but the chair you sat in was uncomfortable all night. You’re like “I can’t figured out why the chair is uncomfortable and it’s annoying as hell but holy that shrimp scampi was to die for.”

 

[VolsAgainstTheWorld15]

And now he's one of Barnes's biggest supporters. He tends to pile on every March when we get knocked out, but he's changed his tune overall since the hire. He used to have a running count on number of days since Rick Barnes landed a top-100 player, and that thing blew up in his face quickly when Grant, Bone, Kyle Alexander, Fulkerson, et.al. torpedoed his no-talent narrative.

Like the old saying goes: “winning solves everything”. Most of the Knoxville media is on the Barnes train now. Caller Phil takes any reason he can find to bash Barnes, but he’s pretty much the only person on East Tennessee radio that I’m aware of who isn’t a big supporter of Barnes. It’s pretty astounding how we have fans complaining their way through a golden era of Tennessee basketball.

 

[cncchris33]

Like the old saying goes: “winning solves everything”. Most of the Knoxville media is on the Barnes train now. Caller Phil takes any reason he can find to bash Barnes, but he’s pretty much the only person on East Tennessee radio that I’m aware of who isn’t a big supporter of Barnes. It’s pretty astounding how we have fans complaining their way through a golden era of Tennessee basketball.

There's a handful of local callers in addition to that bozo Phil...who wouldn't know a basketball from a butthole...that are on the Barnes hate train with him. I won't even dignify them by mentioning their names, but they aren't Barnes fans.

But, yes, complaining right now is unimaginable.

 

[cncchris33]

I can’t imagine anyone not being happy with the program right now. The March is still frustrating but the SEC tournament win bought me some goodwill and getting another SEC regular season title would be awesome.

It’s like having a perfect meal but the chair you sat in was uncomfortable all night. You’re like “I can’t figured out why the chair is uncomfortable and it’s annoying as hell but holy that shrimp scampi was to die for.”

I know you were pretty hung up on his UCLA comments. I mildly defended those comments at the time, and I still think I understand why he said it, but in hindsight, it wasn't endearing to the fanbase regardless of his penchant for being candid and honest, and perceived lack of success in the postseason. I do think there are a lot who are vocally critical of his failure to take another step that have found it hard to forgive that lack of March success because of the UCLA comments.

 

[DC_Vol]

And now he's one of Barnes's biggest supporters. He tends to pile on every March when we get knocked out, but he's changed his tune overall since the hire. He used to have a running count on number of days since Rick Barnes landed a top-100 player, and that thing blew up in his face quickly when Grant, Bone, Kyle Alexander, Fulkerson, et.al. torpedoed his no-talent narrative.

I’ve never been a big consumer of Tony B, at least since I got out of school. I don’t know the full context, but the countdown you are describing sounds really low IQ and low rent given the dumpster fire Barnes signed up for.

 

[OrangeInKy]

I’ve never been a big consumer of Tony B, at least since I got out of school. I don’t know the full context, but the countdown you are describing sounds really low IQ and low rent given the dumpster fire Barnes signed up for.

Basilio admits being wrong about Barnes the first couple of years. However, he and his crew absolutely suck up to Phil and treat him like he knows basketball. He’s a clown. Basilio called out the Barnes critics a couple weeks ago and it’s weird how he names names but never called out Phil to call and defend himself. Philly is a joke.

 

[cncchris33]

I’ve never been a big consumer of Tony B, at least since I got out of school. I don’t know the full context, but the countdown you are describing sounds really low IQ and low rent given the dumpster fire Barnes signed up for.

Oh it definitely was stupid, and even crazier was that Barnes took those alleged no-talent nothings all the way to #1 in the country for a month straight. Tony finally had to get on board, or just risk looking even more foolish by doubling down.

Once Barnes landed JJJ, it was 5* after 5*. Keon Johnson, Jaden Springer, Kennedy Chandler, Julian Phillips...and the funny thing is, we had some of our leanest years with those kids (aside from the transition years). Barnes has proven that his sweet spot is the top-125 kids who come in, develop, adopt the culture, and find success in year 2, 3, and 4. This team is littered with those kinds of kids.

 

[white65]

I can’t imagine anyone not being happy with the program right now. The March is still frustrating but the SEC tournament win bought me some goodwill and getting another SEC regular season title would be awesome.

It’s like having a perfect meal but the chair you sat in was uncomfortable all night. You’re like “I can’t figured out why the chair is uncomfortable and it’s annoying as hell but holy that shrimp scampi was to die for.”

Agreed winning the SEC Tournament was huge. I'm surprised we haven't won more regular season titles in the last 5 years though. Had some good teams, but the SEC has been night and day tougher than it was before.

 

[zjcvols]

I know you were pretty hung up on his UCLA comments. I mildly defended those comments at the time, and I still think I understand why he said it, but in hindsight, it wasn't endearing to the fanbase regardless of his penchant for being candid and honest, and perceived lack of success in the postseason. I do think there are a lot who are vocally critical of his failure to take another step that have found it hard to forgive that lack of March success because of the UCLA comments.

After finding how much an incompetent, moronic, selfish buffoon Phillip Fulmer is I can’t even criticize Barnes about it.

 

[DC_Vol]

Oh it definitely was stupid, and even crazier was that Barnes took those alleged no-talent nothings all the way to #1 in the country for a month straight. Tony finally had to get on board, or just risk looking even more foolish by doubling down.

Once Barnes landed JJJ, it was 5* after 5*. Keon Johnson, Jaden Springer, Kennedy Chandler, Julian Phillips...and the funny thing is, we had some of our leanest years with those kids (aside from the transition years). Barnes has proven that his sweet spot is the top-125 kids who come in, develop, adopt the culture, and find success in year 2, 3, and 4. This team is littered with those kinds of kids.

And they are the best teams to follow and get truly invested in. When I think Tennessee Volunteer basketball, not a single one or two year guy comes to mind.

 

[Cosmo Kramer]

Basilio admits being wrong about Barnes the first couple of years. However, he and his crew absolutely suck up to Phil and treat him like he knows basketball. He’s a clown. Basilio called out the Barnes critics a couple weeks ago and it’s weird how he names names but never called out Phil to call and defend himself. Philly is a joke.

Philly can definitely be negative at times but he is a good caller esp when he is drunk. Poli Joe should be banned from every radio station in Knoxville. No idea why shows takes his calls. I change the station when he calls in.

 

[OrangeInKy]

Philly can definitely be negative at times but he is a good caller esp when he is drunk. Poli Joe should be banned from every radio station in Knoxville. No idea why shows takes his calls. I change the station when he calls in.

Agree on the second part for sure. I’ve listened to some bad stuff from Philly over the last 30 years, I just find him to be a total clown now. Poli Joe is as well, but he doesn’t get treated like a basketball genius like Philly does. Poli Joe’s call yesterday was so dumb, equating Barnes tenure here to a bad marriage, suggesting a divorce. I’m assuming he’s been divorced a lot.

 

[VolsSportsFan]

Much easier to trust and believe in Butch. The recruiting, the general history of UT. I don't anybody thought UT would never come back. It was a matter of when, not if. UT basketball has had a long period of time without a ton of success. Bruce brought it to the fans, and the fans want it back.

I'll take Posts That Aged Like Milk for $600 Alex.

 

[VolsSportsFan]

I get the impression that your ego needs propping up when you try to put down someone, rather than sticking to the subject. This is sad!

I forgot this dude, wasn't he the Tyndall dude's alt?

 

[Rockytop10nessee]

Basilio admits being wrong about Barnes the first couple of years. However, he and his crew absolutely suck up to Phil and treat him like he knows basketball. He’s a clown. Basilio called out the Barnes critics a couple weeks ago and it’s weird how he names names but never called out Phil to call and defend himself. Philly is a joke.

Basilio is a total ass clown

 

[Rockytop10nessee]

Tony Basilio propagated that quite a bit if I remember correctly. He may not have been the only media member pushing the “Barnes is here to collect a retirement check” agenda, but I distinctly remember him pushing it in his blog numerous times. Or it may have been one of his contributors. Either way, I remember seeing that belief pushed in his blog more than once.

Basilio is a dumbass and a liar. He makes things up to get listeners and clicks. Just low class journalism.

 

[OrangeInKy]

Basilio is a total ass clown

Ok

 

[OrangeInKy]

This is taking a turn

 

[walkenvol]

Basilio is a dumbass and a liar. He makes things up to get listeners and clicks. Just low class journalism.

Tell us how you really feel!

 

[OrangeInKy]

Tony Basilio propagated that quite a bit if I remember correctly. He may not have been the only media member pushing the “Barnes is here to collect a retirement check” agenda, but I distinctly remember him pushing it in his blog numerous times. Or it may have been one of his contributors. Either way, I remember seeing that belief pushed in his blog more than once.

It was him, he was dead wrong. He knows it and has said it. Wasn’t the first time, won’t be the last. I’d listen to him any day over those two on 99.1 from 3-7. I don’t take his stuff too seriously , and he has good guests on with good info/analysis. It’s entertainment.