Rick Barnes has Tennessee basketball on the rise

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Rick Barnes’ 1,000-mile voyage from the oil fields of Texas to the Smokey Mountains of East Tennessee carries the same goal, only with a brighter shade of orange.

In Austin, Texas, Barnes transformed an athletic climate fixated on football into a balanced sports haven. In 17 seasons as the Longhorns head basketball coach, Barnes won 69 percent of his games and made a Final Four appearances in 2003. Texas is no longer just a football school.

Football in Knoxville, Tenn. is larger than Neyland Stadium’s 102,000 seats. The program is enriched with unique traditions and rampant success, from the formation of the “Power T” before games on Saturday afternoons to the crowd belting Rocky Top after touchdowns and the iconic orange and white uniforms dawned by legends like Peyton Manning, Reggie White, and Doug Atkins. The football program’s legacy has greatly impacted the universities’ widespread recognition, and overshadows the rest of Tennessee’s athletic field.

Barnes understands the uphill battle. Back in 1974, he frequently traveled to Knoxville from his home town of Hickory, North Carolina, ordered two roast beef and cheese sandwiches (with lettuce) from a local deli, and witnessed Tennessee legend Condredge Holloway orchestrate the Volunteer offense within a sea of bright orange.

His understanding of Tennessee’s athletic culture is crucial. His experience catapulting basketball programs from the shadow of legendary college football brands to the limelight is invaluable. Barnes lacks the hardware, but he doesn’t lack the mindset to revive a sinking basketball program.

However, the process to basketball relevancy is a marathon — not a sprint. And in the first year under Barnes, Volunteer basketball limped to the finish line after furious rallies, second-half collapses, and road struggles.

Fans of basketball on Rocky Top should erase pessimism and internalize what transpired this past season.

The record (15-19) wasn’t pretty, but consider the following: Tennessee’s lack of size created an automatic disadvantage in a number of games. Kyle Alexander, the squad’s tallest player, is an inexperienced 6-foot-9 freshman. Factor in a relative lack of talent and no commanding point guard with a natural sense of ball distribution, and a poor season was already set in stone.

Go beyond the box scores. For what this team lacked in talent and size, they made up for in effort (for the most part) and dedication to the “Tennessee” laced across their chests. They bought into Barnes’ game plan and message, even when their coach appeared dejected at press conferences after heartbreaking losses (TCU and Alabama) and embarrassing showings (against Ole Miss on Senior Day).

Take Kevin Punter Jr. The All-SEC second-team selection more than doubled his points per game average from last season, finishing second in the SEC in scoring. Armani Moore provided a surprising contribution, and Detrick Mostella came alive during the SEC Tournament.

And that’s where this Volunteer team made their largest statement. After scorching the Auburn Tigers 97-59, Tennessee avenged two brutal losses to Vanderbilt in the regular season, winning a nail-biter 67-65.

The post-game press conferences said it all. Moore refused to have the embarrassing 83-60 loss to Ole Miss on Senior Day define his legacy. With Punter absent due to a season-ending foot injury, Moore and a cast of young players pushed the Volunteers further into the tournament than anyone imagined.

Barnes deserves credit for inspiring that mindset and maximizing the talent presented on the roster. Give him a few productive recruiting classes, and Barnes can bring Tennessee Volunteer basketball back to national prominence.

Featured image by Craig Bisacre, courtesy of Tennessee Athletics

Edited by Nathan Odom