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Tennessee basketball: 5 things a national title would mean for the Vols

By Billy Williford

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 09: Jordan Bowden #23 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates after defeating the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the game 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: Jordan Bowden #23 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates after defeating the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the game 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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NASHVILLE, TN – JANUARY 23: Head coach Rick Barnes of the Tennessee Volunteers reacts in the first half of the game against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Memorial Gym on January 23, 2019, in Nashville, Tennessee. Tennessee won 88-83 in overtime. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – JANUARY 23: Head coach Rick Barnes of the Tennessee Volunteers reacts in the first half of the game against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Memorial Gym on January 23, 2019, in Nashville, Tennessee. Tennessee won 88-83 in overtime. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

No.4 – Rick Barnes moves from great to elite

There is no doubt Rick Barnes has led one of the most amazing turnarounds in college basketball. Some credit has to go to the players for all the hard work and dedication to his plan. After all, Barnes isn’t the easiest coach to play for.

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He demands excellence from his players, and after a few struggling years, the Tennessee basketball team has 27 wins and the season isn’t over yet.

Since the 1998 season, there have been 11 different teams to win the NCAA Tournament. From the 11 National Championship teams, there are only seven coaches still coaching in the college game today.

So, in the past 20 years, there is only seven active head coaches still coaching in the NCAA.

Barnes could move into the same league with some impressive names that include Jay Wright, Roy Williams, Bill Self, Jim Boeheim, and Tom Izzo.

Barnes began coaching in 1987 with George Mason and had stints with Providence, Clemson, Texas, and of course, Tennessee.

In all those seasons, Barnes has just one Final Four appearance. No shade, it’s just a difficult feat to accomplish.

However, if he can get it done this season with the Vols, I believe the conversation will turn from him being a good/great coach to one of the elites.

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