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Tennessee basketball: Watch Josiah-Jordan James get Rick Barnes to back off Kennedy Chandler

By Caleb Calhoun

Jan 5, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Rick Barnes during the first half against the Mississippi Rebels at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 5, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Rick Barnes during the first half against the Mississippi Rebels at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /
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It was nearly a disastrous night for Tennessee basketball. The Vols struggled to put away the Ole Miss Rebels in their SEC home opener despite Kermit Davis’ team, which is now 8-5 and 0-1 in the SEC, playing without leading scorer Jarkel Joiner.

Rocky Top had to fight back from falling behind early 16-4 and being behind 48-41 with under four minutes to go. However, the frustration really boiled over at the end of regulation. The Vols, with the game tied at 51, got a stop and had the ball with the chance to win with 10 seconds left.

Kennedy Chandler was driving and had a chance to go to the basket or hit John Fulkerson, who had the matchup he needed, for the game-winner. Instead, he pulled off a killer crosser and then tried a three, which he missed. Afterward, Rick Barnes clearly went at him, and you can see Josiah-Jordan James get in the way to back him off.

Obviously, Barnes, who commands more respect than most coaches, is not usually going to be waved off by one of his players. That’s rare to see, and you have to wonder what he was saying to Chandler to accept being forced to back down like that.

Of course, James is a rare guy who has likely earned Barnes’ respect more than most of his players. You’re talking about a five-star commitment in 2019 who is in his third year with the program and focuses on all the little things that coaches love: defense, distributing and rebounding. He also did his part scoring in this one with 10 points.

Luckily for Rocky Top, they were able to pull out the victory in overtime 66-60, and Chandler clearly made a freshman mistake. There’s nothing wrong with Barnes coaching him up right there to make it clear he needs to make the right play.

However, give James credit. He showed his leadership abilities, knowing that in such a moment, the focus for Tennessee basketball needed to be regrouping mentally to make sure it’s ready for overtime. That’s what they did, and it’s why they pulled off the win.

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