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Tennessee basketball: Barnes and Hardaway are better for the rivalry

By Billy Williford

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 09: Head coach Rick Barnes of the Tennessee Volunteers reacts during the second half of the game against the Gonzaga Bulldogs at Talking Stick Resort Arena on December 9, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Volunteers defeated the Bulldogs 76-73. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 09: Head coach Rick Barnes of the Tennessee Volunteers reacts during the second half of the game against the Gonzaga Bulldogs at Talking Stick Resort Arena on December 9, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Volunteers defeated the Bulldogs 76-73. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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The Tennessee basketball and Memphis Tigers rivalry should be one of the best in the nation going forward. A lot of the credit goes to Rick Barnes and Penny Hardaway.

I remember the days of a painted up Bruce Pearl cheering in the student section for Pat Summitt the Lady Vols. And, I remember the countless times he was roaming the sidelines with a soaking wet shirt. He coached hard for his team, and his team played hard for him.

Pearl took the Tennessee basketball program to levels they have never been in program history. He finished his time as the Vols head coach with a 145-61 overall record. That included the first Elite Eight in program history and a number one ranking in the nation.

The same could be said for John Calipari at Memphis. He had a four-year run from 2005-2009 where his Tigers played in one Sweet Sixteen, two Elite Eights, and one runner-up. They were dominant and really made it hard for Pearl and his teams to win the state of Tennessee.

However, as good as these two coaches were, Rick Barnes and Penny Hardaway should be better for the rivalry. Both, Pearl and Calipari have baggage attached to their names. Look, I agree it was just a BBQ and Pearl seems to have stayed out of trouble ever since, but it gave Tennessee a bad name for a while.

It’s hard to keep a clean name in college athletics; coaches will do almost anything to get on top and stay there. Every stop Calipari has had some type of controversy surrounding his name, he’s just really good at covering it up.

Moving forward the rivalry is in even better hands. What Rick Barnes has done with the Tennessee basketball program is nothing short than remarkable. The Vols are a legit National Championship contender. I know anything can happen in the NCAA Tournament, but I would be shocked if this year’s team didn’t at least make a Sweet Sixteen.

Hardaway, on the other hand, is just getting started. However, he has already proved he is going to be a great recruiter especially in and around Memphis where most of the in-state talent plays. Recruiting the Memphis area has never been a strong suit for the Vols, and now it got even more difficult.

Next. 10 memorable games between Vols and Memphis Tigers. dark

Tennessee should easily handle the Tigers in Saturday’s matchup. They have more talent and experience. However, Penny should get it turned around and the rivalry should be one of the best games in college basketball every season.

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