It's hard not to feel bad for Rick Barnes and Tennessee, unless you're a Michigan fan that is.
For the third year in a row, the Vols overcame adversity and surprised countless people by making it to the Elite Eight. But, also for the third year in a row, Tennessee couldn't get the job done. This time around, a 95-62 loss to the Wolverines was posted in brutal fashion.
Rick Barnes may have wasted his best chance to get Tennessee to the Final Four
The Vols have never made it to the Final Four in program history and while No. 1 Michigan was favored by 8.5 points leading up to tipoff, some fans still had hope history could be made. That didn't happen and Barnes appeared to be down in the dumps after the final whistle.
Tennessee coach Rick Barnes: "Obviously, when you get to this point and don't move on, it's extremely disappointing, especially when you know you didn't play your best."
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) March 29, 2026
He added: "There's no doubt we want more. We want to break through this thing."
Tennessee losing in the Elite Eight is clearly getting old for Rick Barnes
For his career, Barnes has only been to one Final Four, getting that job done with Texas back in 2003 - the Longhorns went on to lose to eventual champs Syracuse in the national semifinals. Barnes has been hoping to help Tennessee get over the hump, but there's been no such luck.
This year, it always felt like the road to the Final Four was improbable, but the Vols surprised plenty of people in March. The Big Dance began with the win over Miami (Ohio) and was followed up with a victory over Virginia. Then in the Sweet 16, the Vols took down Iowa State, which was without Joshua Jefferson.
It seemed like the SEC side was heating up at the right time, but some of us forgot just how brilliant Michigan has been. Yaxel Lendeborg continues to look like arguably the best player in college hoops, as he torched UT for 27 points. There was no answer in trying to contain him.
Next up for Michigan is a Final Four matchup with fellow No. 1 seed Arizona. As for Tennessee, they'll have to watch that meeting from home. Barnes wasted no time in saying he'll be back next season, as you better believe he's going to want to find a way to make his Tennessee-Final Four dream become a reality. For now, however, this loss is going to sting and it's going to sting for a while.