Rick Barnes won’t be sitting on the fence when Texas walks into town this weekend.
Tennessee’s coach made it plain on Tuesday: he’s backing the Volunteers in the matchup, even with his former school coming to Knoxville. Barnes spent 17 years leading Texas men’s basketball, a run that included 16 NCAA Tournament appearances and a Final Four trip in 2003.
But the back end of that tenure never matched the early success. Texas failed to get past the first weekend in each of Barnes’ final seven seasons, and the two sides eventually moved on.
Tennessee was the one that opened the door for him, and Barnes has turned that opportunity into something bigger. Over the last three seasons, he has guided the Vols to three straight Elite Eight appearances, making Knoxville look like the right landing spot.
“Well, I’m pulling for the Tennessee Volunteers,” Rick Barnes said on Tuesday. “I can tell you that.
And what I would tell you, someone asked me the other day about it. You know, I spent 17 years in Texas, had wonderful friends there.
A bunch of them will come in. I doubt I will see them all.
“Really good friends with (Texas AD) Chris Del Conte. I love the guy.
He and I got to be buddies when I was in Texas and he was at TCU. And he has done just an incredible job in Texas.
And what Danny White has done here, I look at those two guys as being guys that I think if people would listen to them, we could get some things done because they both see things in a different way.”
Barnes’ loyalty to Tennessee isn’t exactly a surprise. He has leaned into the program from the start and helped rebuild it piece by piece. He’s also weathered some rough athletic leadership along the way, and now he’s working inside a department that finally feels steady.
“Obviously, I like to see us because I love Josh Heupel and the way he’s building here,” Barnes continued. “I think Texas is No.
- That’s why we play the games, right?
But, again, I just have so many fond memories of my time in Texas.
In Other News...
College GameDay Guest Picker For Tennessee Texas Could Spark Vols Debate
ESPNs College GameDay is headed to Knoxville for Tennessees showdown with Texas on Sept. 26, and the familiar guessing game is already underway around who will handle the celebrity guest picker role. When the show comes to a host campus, it usually leans into local flavor, and Tennessee has no shortage of recognizable names to choose from after years of memorable selections that mixed sports, music and comedy.
Rick Barnes, Bianca Belair, Candace Parker and Kenny Chesney are among the names being floated, which gives the Vols plenty to debate before the cameras ever arrive. The decision will matter less for the picks than for the vibe, since GameDay guest spots tend to become part of the weekends identity, especially when a major SEC matchup brings the kind of attention Knoxville is about to get. [Read more 🡒]
Former Vol Kaleb Beasley Is Creating An Uncomfortable Tennessee Question
Kaleb Beasleys move from Tennessee to Louisville has already turned into one of those transfer stories that lingers a little longer for Vols fans. The Nashville product was once viewed as a highly rated local recruit, and after spending time as a backup safety in Knoxville, he has started to find a bigger stage elsewhere. His recent showing in Louisvilles win over SMU made sure the attention followed him, because he was all over the field and came away with a performance that drew national and conference recognition.
For Tennessee, the uncomfortable part is simple: Beasley is suddenly looking like the kind of defensive back the Vols could have used. He led Louisville in tackles and picked off two passes in that game, then added the Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week and ACC Defensive Back of the Week honors to the resume. When a former in-state recruit starts stacking that kind of production after leaving town, it naturally invites a second look at how his path unfolded and what it means for the roster Tennessee is trying to build now. [Read more 🡒]
Steve Spurrier Just Weighed In On A Texas Game Gators Fans Know Well
Steve Spurrier has a way of making old SEC rivalries feel current, and his latest take will perk up Tennessee fans who are looking for reasons to believe ahead of the Longhorns visit. The former Florida star and coach picked Tennessee to upset Texas, pointing to the Volunteers previous win over the Longhorns and the edge that comes with playing at home.
Spurriers opinion carries extra weight in this matchup because of the history he has with Tennessee from his Florida days, along with his connection to the state itself. For Tennessee, it is another reminder that this game is drawing plenty of attention beyond Knoxville, and that the Volunteers may be getting a little outside confidence to match their own belief heading into a big test. [Read more 🡒]