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Tennessee basketball: Rick Barnes crumbles in another big game this season

By Billy Williford

COLUMBUS, OHIO - MARCH 24: Head coach Rick Barnes of the Tennessee Volunteers reacts to a play against the Iowa Hawkeyes during their game in the Second Round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament at Nationwide Arena on March 24, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO - MARCH 24: Head coach Rick Barnes of the Tennessee Volunteers reacts to a play against the Iowa Hawkeyes during their game in the Second Round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament at Nationwide Arena on March 24, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – MARCH 28: The Tennessee Volunteers huddle prior to the game against the Purdue Boilermakers during the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament South Regional at the KFC YUM! Center on March 28, 2019, in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – MARCH 28: The Tennessee Volunteers huddle prior to the game against the Purdue Boilermakers during the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament South Regional at the KFC YUM! Center on March 28, 2019, in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

The Start

The Vols started a Sweet 16 game like they were playing Georiga on a Tuesday night at 9:00 pm in front half-filled Stegeman Coliseum. It’s the freaking Sweet 16, how do the players not show up for the game? You could make the argument that’s on the players and to a degree, I would agree.

However, when teams go on these runs, Barnes does nothing. Call a timeout, Rick!

We’ve seen this time and time again this season from Barnes. He decides sitting on his hands while other teams go on these massive runs is the best option for the team to win. That just isn’t going to get it done. Not to mention the offense looks like garbage because the guards pass the ball back and forth at the top of the key.

I’ve said this all season long. Teams go on these huge runs and instead of time outs and set plays for Grant Williams, the Vols just pass along the top of the key. Then comes a little iso action where Jordan Bone and Lamonte Turner try their best to make something out of nothing.

Even with the horrible start, Barnes didn’t help the team with X’s and O’s, and that is where we head next.

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