The star system is so overrated. A team with mostly 3 stars and maybe a couple 4 stars, but all Juniors and Seniors, can put a hurting on a team full of freshmen, even if they are all 5-stars.
Rick Barnes.
- Thread starter sluggercatfan
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The star system is so overrated. A team with mostly 3 stars and maybe a couple 4 stars, but all Juniors and Seniors, can put a hurting on a team full of freshmen, even if they are all 5-stars.
We'll see what kind of coach he is moving forward. Went into this year with zero expectations but had a good year based on bringing a bunch of unknowns together and getting friendly whistles. Next year he's the favorite, his history says choke. Let's see how he does with a target on his back.
So in 30 years he has 1 FF...impressive
Dude...he's not coaching at a blue blood...he's coaching at a football school in the SEC...No body his putting him in the hall, but for Tennessee he's a solid hire and will do well.
Contrary to popular belief, final fours aren't a common thing for most coaches and programs.
I am not saying he is a bad coach but i wouldn't want him here. You don't have to coach at a blue blood to go to the FF. We could ask, um John Calapari at UMass and Memphis. I like R Barnes, I just didn't like the insinuation that he was better at this than John Calapari which is where the OP was going
I'm not sure OP or anyone is advocating for Rick Barnes.
OP just stated some cold hard facts in a tongue n cheek manner.
I think it's good that Cal and BBN learn that 6 new OAD type talents every year isn't the only way to win. Rick Barnes isn't the only one to prove that, he's just the most recent.
Fact of the matter is that we all got swooped up in the idea of freshmen lottery picks, draft night celebrations, Cal eating dinner in NY with all star players, etc. That's all great, but not a requirement for final 4s and titles. Sure, if you can get some great talent that may leave after a year, that's great. However, with every passing year we see that not every group of 18 year old kids is special, capable of playing with one another and handling all that comes with team/program oriented college basketball.
Cal took something to the extreme. I mean even Duke, UNC, and KU are having guys with legit talent stick around. Outside of the blue bloods there have been plenty of other programs win at a high rate and make runs in march without OADs.
I agree that you do not have to have OAD to win, I like experience with that talent. When we get guys that are not OAD though we are hypocritical when they don't play lik a OAD. We actually want Anthony Davis and KAT to stay 4 years, ain't happening. We don't care about SKJ, Diallo, and guys like that sticking around. I agree with the sentiment that 3 and 4 year players are good. wish we had Dom and Willis this year. Just don't agree that Rick Barnes is the example of the way you want to do it. Let him win something first
They are not common? Then why are you saying Cal should be on the hot seat?
Note that I said "for most coaches and programs"...
Cal should be feeling heat because last time I checked this is Kentucky. Not saying it's time to run anyone off, but a season like this warrants a little bit of critique.
I honestly can't believe it took that long for someone to say it. You landed that joke at a bargain!
He won’t be able to recruit superstars to UT IMO, so he may never have that problem.
UT has far more wins over UK than any other team in the country. Sweeping us is not that unusual. What is unusual is UT making it to a Final Four. Don't expect Barnes to do it with this team either. Good coach. Not a great coach.
Agree. He's at the top of the second tier with Dana Altman, Kruger, Tubby and Beilein. And if he wins one NCAA game then exits UT fans will be tickled. That's all they want. It's on to spring football.
He seems like the kind of coach who does well with players who fly a bit under the radar. He had some elite players at Texas, but they seemed to underachieve at times....maybe he couldn't relate to the guys with their eyes on the NBA.
I know he seems like a good guy and all, but I just have a hard time liking anyone or anything that has to do with Tennessee. Living here outside of Knoxville has jaded me.
People on here have given Barnes a tough time on here for years but done a fantastic job at UT this year and as a basketball fan I respect him for what done this season. He definitely deserves SEC coach of the year. Still would never want him at UK though.
http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2017/10/2017_sec_preseason_basketball.html
2017 SEC preseason basketball poll
Updated Oct 18, 2017
Preseason poll
1. Kentucky
2. Florida
3. Texas A&M
4. Alabama
5. Missouri
6. Arkansas
7. Vanderbilt
8. Georgia
9. Auburn
10. Ole Miss
11. South Carolina
12. Mississippi State
13. Tennessee :flushed:
14. LSU
2017 SEC preseason basketball poll
Updated Oct 18, 2017
Preseason poll
1. Kentucky
2. Florida
3. Texas A&M
4. Alabama
5. Missouri
6. Arkansas
7. Vanderbilt
8. Georgia
9. Auburn
10. Ole Miss
11. South Carolina
12. Mississippi State
13. Tennessee :flushed:
14. LSU
UT has been tough, especially at certain points in history, but a sweep is rare.
1917
1923
1927
1963
1967
1976
1977
1979
1999
2018
That's ten total, and only 2 in the past 39 seasons.
Whereas we have swept them in the regular season in:
1918
1925
1926
1928
1929
1931
1932
1933
1934
1935
1938
1943
1946
1947
1948
1949
1951
1952
1954
1955
1956
1957
1958
1959
1961
1962
1964
1969
1970
1972
1978
1986
1989
1991
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
2001
2003
2004
2005
2009
2011
2012
By my count, 46 times. Frustrating that we've struggled so much in Knoxville lately under Cal, but we still own UT and they can burn as far as I care.
Rick Barnes coached 17 years here in ATX. 1 Final Four and 2 Elite Eights and 2 Sweet 16s during the tenure. Good coach. Relates well with the sparse fan base. Fan support here is so bad they gave free admission to tech workers if they showed their badge at the gate on game night.
He needed a reboot. He got it at Rocky Top.
He needed a reboot. He got it at Rocky Top.
