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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 bench looks on against the Purdue Boilermakers during overtime of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament South Regional at the KFC YUM! Center on March 28, 2019, in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – MARCH 28: The Tennessee Volunteers bench looks on against the Purdue Boilermakers during overtime of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament South Regional at the KFC YUM! Center on March 28, 2019, in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

If all that wasn’t enough, maybe the worst decision of the night was keeping Grant Williams on the bench to start overtime. Yes, Williams had four fouls, but starting him on the bench, Barnes basically fouled him out for Purdue.

It’s easy to second guess, but I’m riding with Grant in overtime. I’m riding with the back-to-back SEC Player of the Year and one of the best players in college basketball on the court. I’m trying to win the game.

Purdue went on an 8-2 run before Grant Williams took his first shot in overtime. That’s inexcusable and unforgivable. That’s when Barnes tells his team to get Grant the ball like he should have so many time throughout the season.

Again, I will never understand why this team gets away from Williams when it matters most. Is it other players wanting to be the hero? I don’t think so; all these guys are team players. It’s coaching not making a point to highlight the best player on the team.

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I’m not creating a discussion about Barnes’ future as the coach of the Tennessee basketball program. He’s done one of the best jobs in the country. But, when it comes to in-game coaching just bank on Tennessee losing the big one.

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