Chaz Lanier shares strong message Rick Barnes sent to team after loss to Florida

At the end of the day, the Florida Gators were too much for the Tennessee Vols to handle in the SEC Tournament title game. Does this take away from the potential UT has to go on a deep run in the NCAA Tournament? Not at all.

The Vols made a statement in the conference tourney and now it's time to flush Sunday's loss and get ready to try to reach the Final Four. Chaz Lanier was a bit off his game vs. Florida, but he knows what's coming up ahead for this team.

After the loss to the Gators, Lanier also shared the plain and simple message head man Rick Barnes delivered to the locker room. The guys aren't dwelling on the loss and the focus has already shifted, which is great to see.

Chaz Lanier and the Tennessee Vols know they can make noise in the NCAA Tournament

"Don't sulk or keep your head down - we had a great regular season," Lanier said on what Barnes told the team. "Florida's a great team and if people are saying they're No. 1, then we're right here. We know we've got a little bit in getting better to do. We're in a good spot and it's good we still have games left to play."

Lanier was quite upbeat despite the Vols not being able to win the title. Keep in mind that on Saturday, the Vols surprised a lot of people by taking down Johni Broome and Co. It was a sensational win for the group and one that should still give them confidence with the first round of March Madness coming on Thursday.

In Round 1, Tennessee, the No. 2 seed in the Midwest Region, is all set to take on Wofford. The No. 15 Terriers will have an upset in mind, but the Vols aren't going to overlook them or anyone else they might face this month. It has been a memorable season and things are only going to get better. One loss to Florida, arguably the best team in the country, doesn't change a single thing.