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Tennessee Basketball: Rick Barnes Remains Optimistic on Vols

By Caleb Calhoun

Jan 31, 2017; Auburn, AL, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Rick Barnes reacts to a foul during the first half against the Auburn Tigers at Auburn Arena. The Volunteers beat the Tigers 87-77. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 31, 2017; Auburn, AL, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Rick Barnes reacts to a foul during the first half against the Auburn Tigers at Auburn Arena. The Volunteers beat the Tigers 87-77. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports /
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In light of five losses in his team’s past seven games, Tennessee basketball head coach Rick Barnes said the Volunteers can and will bounce back.

Always the voice of optimism and high expectations, Rick Barnes is not giving up on his second Tennessee basketball team.

He was the one guy who wouldn’t make excuses for the team at the beginning of the year. And at the end of January, he looked like a prophet with the team in the Top 40 of the RPI and firmly in the NCAA Tournament.

But even after a skid that includes four losses in the past five games and a 2-5 record in the month of February, Barnes is still not giving up on the Vols.

Speaking to media members on Monday, Barnes said the Vols can and will bounce back.

According to Wes Rucker of GoVols247, he remains encouraged about the future. Here is a quote from his weekly press conference in the article.

"“I think teams bounce back, and I think these guys have done that. I can tell you they did some things as a yesterday, I understand, together, and some of ‘em were in the gym working together. And this morning a number of them have come through the gym.”"

In quotes placed on UTSports Monday, Barnes showed even more optimism. He noted that the program is in better shape than many SEC schools despite its skid and also pointed to the strides its taken.

"“I just think that, still, I like our team and we’ve got a chance where we can win two games and finish out 9-9 in the league going into the SEC Tournament. I guarantee you look at other teams in the league and they’re looking at it like that, but you can’t be 9-9 if you don’t get to win number eight first.”"

Currently, Tennessee basketball is 15-14 and 7-9 in the SEC with a No. 66 ranked spot in the RPI, which only recognizes their record as 14-14.

Their final two games are at the LSU Tigers and at home against the Alabama Crimson Tide. They need to win both and make a run in the SEC Tournament to get back on the bubble, but it will be tough.

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