The Official Rick Barnes discussion thread

[walkenvol]

Rick Barnes is what he is. The man is a good head coach but his teams tend to come up short in games like this. He’s like the basketball version of James Franklin or Mark Richt- Quite good overall but loses a lot of the biggest games.

I don’t want him to retire or to be fired (not happening anyway) because we are still quite good. Making Elite Eights is a big deal, I’m just saying you kind of know what you’ll get from RB.

RACKING UP RANKED VICTORIES

• TOP 25: In the past four years (2021-25), Tennessee's 30 AP top-25 wins lead DI. Only Alabama (closest SEC team with 28), Connecticut (26), Kansas (26), Iowa State (25) and Purdue (23) are within eight.
• TOP 20: Tennessee is first in the nation with 26 AP top-20 triumphs over that span. Only Connecticut (24), Alabama (closest SEC team with 23) and Kansas (22) are even within six.
• TOP 15: The Volunteers lead DI with 22 AP top-15 decisions over those four years. Kansas (20) and Alabama (closest SEC team with 18) are the only schools even within five.
• TOP 10: Since 2021-22, Tennessee owns 12 AP top-10 wins, co-first nationally, alongside Connecticut (12), Iowa State (12) and Kansas (12). The only school within one is Kentucky (closest SEC team with 11). A full list of the 12 wins is on Page 12 (left sidebar).
• TOP FIVE: In that same four-year span, UT has seven AP top-five victories, the most in the country. Only four other schools have even five: Alabama (six), Arizona (six), Florida (five) and Iowa State (five).
• TOP THREE: The Vols have four AP top-three wins in those four years, matching Alabama (four), Arizona (four) and Florida (four) for the DI lead.

I think these stats indicate some have an incorrect perception of Barnes being a coach that doesn’t win games against top ranked competitors

 

[MinisterofDef#92]

So we are just gonna rewrite history and before Barnes no other coach was just as successful here?

6 times to the tourney never happened between 05 and 11? Didn’t make sweet 16 twice? Didn’t make an elite 8 in 2010? Wasnt number one in the entire country? Didn’t amass a record of 145-61? None of that happened? It was all a dream. Pearl did none of that?

Before Barnes UT was strictly an NIT team?

I’m not trying to be a jerk cause you’re a cool poster but for my own sanity am I imagining all of that happened under a different coach than Barnes here? It never happened?

CRB has clearly exceeded what CBP accomplished

 

[zjcvols]

I have to credit Rick for changing his offensive philosophy and embracing the 3-ball after that disaster in 2021 against Oregon State. They've won 9 NCAAT games the last four years and part of that has been willing to use the 3-point line more while not sacrificing the stifling defense. They've done a great job adapting the motion offense to make it easier for the guards to get good looks. They have overachieved their tourney results in my eyes with the 2022 and 2024 squads (2022 without Zeigler had no business beating Duke) and I think we should commend Barnes for switching that mentality about the 3-point line. Especially at the time, being 66-67 years old and realizing the teams were fading in February/March because the offense was too easy to diagnose.

The one that perplexes me is the lack of post scoring. I know Grant Williams' do not grow on trees, but other than the 2020 half season of Fulkerson, they have not had a dude they can throw the ball to inside and get 2 points. Even with the amount of action they run for perimeter guys, not being able to switch it up and throw to someone down low for a bucket seems to always bite us. If you are going to have someone like Mashack in the lineup, you got to get more from the 4/5 offensively. I like what they did with the idea of Milicic and Dubar, a stretch 4 with nice touch that isn't incapable of putting the ball on the floor. Neither guy panned out.

To me, they just need one more guy that can get a bucket, even if sacrificing a little bit defensively. Maybe with Zeigler leaving they can get a true scoring threat at PG or maybe with Mashack leaving they can get a real scorer. I like the stretch 4 idea and hope they continue that. I like the progress they have made. They just need to slightly adjust the recruiting profile and find another ballhandler/scorer or true 3&D guy.

 

[YankeeVol]

I have to credit Rick for changing his offensive philosophy and embracing the 3-ball after that disaster in 2021 against Oregon State. They've won 9 NCAAT games the last four years and part of that has been willing to use the 3-point line more while not sacrificing the stifling defense. They've done a great job adapting the motion offense to make it easier for the guards to get good looks. They have overachieved their tourney results in my eyes with the 2022 and 2024 squads (2022 without Zeigler had no business beating Duke) and I think we should commend Barnes for switching that mentality about the 3-point line. Especially at the time, being 66-67 years old and realizing the teams were fading in February/March because the offense was too easy to diagnose.

The one that perplexes me is the lack of post scoring. I know Grant Williams' do not grow on trees, but other than the 2020 half season of Fulkerson, they have not had a dude they can throw the ball to inside and get 2 points. Even with the amount of action they run for perimeter guys, not being able to switch it up and throw to someone down low for a bucket seems to always bite us. If you are going to have someone like Mashack in the lineup, you got to get more from the 4/5 offensively. I like what they did with the idea of Milicic and Dubar, a stretch 4 with nice touch that isn't incapable of putting the ball on the floor. Neither guy panned out.

To me, they just need one more guy that can get a bucket, even if sacrificing a little bit defensively. Maybe with Zeigler leaving they can get a true scoring threat at PG or maybe with Mashack leaving they can get a real scorer. I like the stretch 4 idea and hope they continue that. I like the progress they have made. They just need to slightly adjust the recruiting profile and find another ballhandler/scorer or true 3&D guy.

Give me an Edey type all day.

 

[cncchris33]

Don't forget Kevin O'Neil, we had some pretty lousy seasons with his dynamite offenses. I was unlucky enough to be a student during his tenure.

I felt like O'Neill, for as boring as his brand of basketball could be to watch, was just on the cusp of turning things around. His last recruiting class before he left set Jerry Green up nicely. And had JG have just cared a little bit, those teams could have (should have) done a lot more in the postseason.

But to your point, KO ball was not entertaining in the least bit.

 

[zjcvols]

Give me an Edey type all day.

I don't even need that high quality of a player. Just a Vlad Goldin would be fine. Just somebody that's only offense is dunk or layup. Aidoo seemed to be getting there some but took a step back second half junior year and left. I have high hopes for Estrella, maybe he can be something.

 

[VolArmy74]

Barnes literally just coached us to the biggest win in school history. We moved into the Elite 8 by ending Kentucky's season in a revenge game where'd they'd beaten us twice. We've never had a bigger game that we won.

 

[cncchris33]

I have to credit Rick for changing his offensive philosophy and embracing the 3-ball after that disaster in 2021 against Oregon State. They've won 9 NCAAT games the last four years and part of that has been willing to use the 3-point line more while not sacrificing the stifling defense. They've done a great job adapting the motion offense to make it easier for the guards to get good looks. They have overachieved their tourney results in my eyes with the 2022 and 2024 squads (2022 without Zeigler had no business beating Duke) and I think we should commend Barnes for switching that mentality about the 3-point line. Especially at the time, being 66-67 years old and realizing the teams were fading in February/March because the offense was too easy to diagnose.

The one that perplexes me is the lack of post scoring. I know Grant Williams' do not grow on trees, but other than the 2020 half season of Fulkerson, they have not had a dude they can throw the ball to inside and get 2 points. Even with the amount of action they run for perimeter guys, not being able to switch it up and throw to someone down low for a bucket seems to always bite us. If you are going to have someone like Mashack in the lineup, you got to get more from the 4/5 offensively. I like what they did with the idea of Milicic and Dubar, a stretch 4 with nice touch that isn't incapable of putting the ball on the floor. Neither guy panned out.

To me, they just need one more guy that can get a bucket, even if sacrificing a little bit defensively. Maybe with Zeigler leaving they can get a true scoring threat at PG or maybe with Mashack leaving they can get a real scorer. I like the stretch 4 idea and hope they continue that. I like the progress they have made. They just need to slightly adjust the recruiting profile and find another ballhandler/scorer or true 3&D guy.

To their credit, I believe they thought JPE would be that guy for them this year behind the scenes. His injury, along with not filling two scholarships, really hamstrung us this year. Then Igor regressed all season, and Dubar wasn't all he was cracked up to be. Lots of shots landed to knock out options for us.

 

[Voltopia]

I felt like O'Neill, for as boring as his brand of basketball could be to watch, was just on the cusp of turning things around. His last recruiting class before he left set Jerry Green up nicely. And had JG have just cared a little bit, those teams could have (should have) done a lot more in the postseason.

But to your point, KO ball was not entertaining in the least bit.

Jerry Green was what some people thought Rick Barnes would be at Tennessee - casual dress and taking it easy. What was that old quote? "If they don't like the way I'm running this team then they can fire me." Yeesh. If any Tennessee basketball coach has ever been here just to "cash the checks," it was him.

That 2000 loss to North Carolina was abysmal. What an atrocious fumble of an easy route through Tulsa - TULSA of all teams - to reach the Final Four.

 

[Voltopia]

To their credit, I believe they thought JPE would be that guy for them this year behind the scenes. His injury, along with not filling two scholarships, really hamstrung us this year. Then Igor regressed all season, and Dubar wasn't all he was cracked up to be. Lots of shots landed to knock out options for us.

Agreed. They just whiffed on two post takes and their preferred starter suffered a season-ending injury to start. There was only so much to do from there. We've known all season that the frontcourt wasn't going to dominate.

 

[brockytop]

CRB has clearly exceeded what CBP accomplished

Brother, quit making a fool of yourself. Pearl made an Elite Eight here and a championship game at Auburn (with questionable officiating that thwarted a win) and now another Final Four.

 

[landscapingvol]

He is a generational coach for us.

I would agree with that but that isn’t my point. I assume the goal here is to win a championship but maybe it isn’t? If we are fine with just making the tournament, and occasionally making it past the first weekend then Barnes is great but if that isn’t the goal then he isn’t irreplaceable if/when he retires.

 

[cncchris33]

Brother, quit making a fool of yourself. Pearl made an Elite Eight here and a championship game at Auburn (with questionable officiating that thwarted a win) and now another Final Four.

He seems to be talking about their respective times at Tennessee. And he's right.

 

[OrangeInKy]

Jerry Green was what some people thought Rick Barnes would be at Tennessee - casual dress and taking it easy. What was that old quote? "If they don't like the way I'm running this team then they can fire me." Yeesh. If any Tennessee basketball coach has ever been here just to "cash the checks," it was him.

That 2000 loss to North Carolina was abysmal. What an atrocious fumble of an easy route through Tulsa - TULSA of all teams - to reach the Final Four.

I agree, but Tulsa, cos cash ed by Bill Self, wouldn’t have been a pushover imo. Green vs Self? He couldn’t outfox Bill Guthridge. I’ve always said 2000 was maybe our best shot. It was wide open.

 

[LibertyVol]

“The TennesseeStandard?”
“Just making the elite 8”

Just amazing.

It is what you call a DA. Tennessee makes an elite 8 and plays two teams in the final 4 even and this idiot is not happy. You can’t fix stupid. Barnes is my guy all day every day.

 

[Voltopia]

I agree, but Tulsa, cos cash ed by Bill Self, wouldn’t have been a pushover imo. Green vs Self? He couldn’t outfox Bill Guthridge. I’ve always said 2000 was maybe our best shot. It was wide open.

Definitely wouldn't have been easy, I agree, but you're right that it was our best shot for a generation (up until that total BS Ohio State game where they gave OSU 33 or 36 foul shots and Greg Oden couldn't be touched). And they got taken out by the 8/9 line, which granted was North Carolina but still. Tennessee had all the talent they needed to win that game. Plenty enough to get to the Final Four. Just another unfortunate bookend.

Old history now but I've never fully let go of that loss.

 

[VolsSportsFan]

Brother, quit making a fool of yourself. Pearl made an Elite Eight here and a championship game at Auburn (with questionable officiating that thwarted a win) and now another Final Four.

He's talking about here. So I'd park the fool talk.

 

[VolGee4]

Brother, quit making a fool of yourself. Pearl made an Elite Eight here and a championship game at Auburn (with questionable officiating that thwarted a win) and now another Final Four.

Pearl did not make a championship game at Auburn, and they lucked out in the first round when NMSt. missed a FT to seal it. Goes both ways.

 

[GAVol]

Do we? Because seems like that goal post keeps moving.

Before last year, his ceiling here was the S16. Now apparently his ceiling is the EE; which happens to be historically our program's ceiling. And he's now done that twice, something never happened more than once much less back to back.

So apparently we don't know what we're going to get. Seems like we just keep changing the defnition of what "ceiling" means.

It’s the caveman way of watching sports. You’re a loser for not wanting more than whatever you just saw.

 

[zjcvols]

To their credit, I believe they thought JPE would be that guy for them this year behind the scenes. His injury, along with not filling two scholarships, really hamstrung us this year. Then Igor regressed all season, and Dubar wasn't all he was cracked up to be. Lots of shots landed to knock out options for us.

Was Milicic bad this year? No.

Was I disappointed? Yes.

 

[OrangeInKy]

Definitely wouldn't have been easy, I agree, but you're right that it was our best shot for a generation (up until that total BS Ohio State game where they have OSU 33 or 36 foul shots and Greg Oden couldn't be touched). And they got taken out by the 8/9 line, which granted was North Carolina but still. Tennessee had all the talent they needed to win that game. Plenty enough to get to the Final Four. Just another unfortunate bookend.

Old history now but I've never fully let go of that loss.

Nor have I, or the 2007 loss, which still probably remains the one I have taken the hardest. Last year's was brutal, though.

 

[BernardKingGOAT]

I would agree with that but that isn’t my point. I assume the goal here is to win a championship but maybe it isn’t? If we are fine with just making the tournament, and occasionally making it past the first weekend then Barnes is great but if that isn’t the goal then he isn’t irreplaceable if/when he retires.

Occasionally making it past the first weekend? We've done that 3 years in a row. Right now, Barnes gives us the best chance to win championship

Casual fan take. It's ok

 

[Volinnooga]

The lengths some of our fans go to discredit Barnes and his accomplishments is truly remarkable.

You cannot make this sh*t up.

Oh yes you can make it up; and many of these clowns do.

 

[VolsAgainstTheWorld15]

CRB has clearly exceeded what CBP accomplished

Plus, he’s done it without bringing in a bunch of players who you had a feeling weren’t exactly the best young men and were honestly not always the easiest bunch to root for.

 

[DowntownVol]

Jerry Green was what some people thought Rick Barnes would be at Tennessee - casual dress and taking it easy. What was that old quote? "If they don't like the way I'm running this team then they can fire me." Yeesh. If any Tennessee basketball coach has ever been here just to "cash the checks," it was him.

That 2000 loss to North Carolina was abysmal. What an atrocious fumble of an easy route through Tulsa - TULSA of all teams - to reach the Final Four.

we had the best roster in America that year. could have won it all with that team.