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Tennessee basketball: 5 reasons Vols are a lock for the Final Four

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, TENNESSEE – MARCH 15: Rick Barnes the head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers gives instructions to his team against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the Quarterfinals of the SEC Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 15, 2019, in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – MARCH 15: Rick Barnes the head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers gives instructions to his team against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the Quarterfinals of the SEC Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 15, 2019, in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

No.1 – Been there, done that

One important thing for a deep run in March is teams having a coach that has been there and done that. Obviously, that isn’t always the case, but it certainly helps.

Here is a list of a couple of coaches that have made the Final Four since 2015.

Jay Wright – Bill Self – Jim Beilein

Roy Williams – Frank Martin – Mark Few

John Calipari – Bo Ryan – Jim Boeheim

Mike Krzyzewski – Tom Izzo  – Lon Kruger

What do all those coaches have in common? They’ve all made a Final Four before the 2015 season. And, they are all proven coaches.

What does Rick Barnes have in common with those coaches? Although it was back in 2002-03, Rick Barnes made a Final Four with the help of one of the best point guards in the nation at the time, T.J. Ford.

One thing Barnes knows how to do is get to the big dance. And, at some point he is bound to win a National Championship, right? In his coaching career, he’s made three Sweet 16’s, two Elite 8’s, and one Final Four.

Next. A look at the Vols road to the Final Four. dark

While it’s not a done deal because anything can happen in March, but the Vols have an excellent chance to make a Final Four.

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