All for Tennessee
Fansided

10 factors determining if Vols head coach Rick Barnes leaves for UCLA

By Caleb Calhoun

COLUMBIA, MISSOURI - JANUARY 08: Head coach Rick Barnes of the Tennessee Volunteers directs his team against the Missouri Tigers in the second half at Mizzou Arena on January 08, 2019 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, MISSOURI - JANUARY 08: Head coach Rick Barnes of the Tennessee Volunteers directs his team against the Missouri Tigers in the second half at Mizzou Arena on January 08, 2019 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 11
Next
Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images /

9. Prospect of rebuilding

Now, on paper, this is another toss-up. At first glance, you would think that this is a reason for Rick Barnes to stay with the Vols. After all, he just finished off his second straight season in the top 25 and has a five-star guard committed heading into his fifth year. The program is rolling.

Meanwhile, the UCLA Bruins just finished the year 17-16 with two different coaches. As a result, they are clearly in rebuilding mode after firing Steve Alford and having Murray Bartow finish out the year.

But let’s be clear, this rebuilding job is not as tough as you might think. UCLA as a program has some decent talent and is only two years removed from the Sweet 16.  Alford actually stocked the cupboard well, even if he didn’t always coach up his players.

Tennessee basketball, on the other hand, could be in a rough spot this upcoming year. The Vols lost their one big men, Kyle Alexander, and their overall leader and most versatile player, Admiral Schofield. Their one true point guard, Jordan Bone, has also left for the NBA Draft as well and isn’t coming back.

Grant Williams, their best overall player, could still very possibly leave, and Lamonte Turner, their best overall scoring guard, is a fourth-year junior, so if he doesn’t leave he could still transfer. Simply put, the Vols have an uphill climb to rebuild as well.

Considering those two things, UCLA may have more talent ready to go than the Vols next year. Add in the fact that you can turn around a basketball program quickly, and the rebuilding scenario is a bit of a wash. It may even favor the Bruins.

Home/Vols Basketball