Tennessee is still waiting on a final answer in Jalen Washington’s eligibility case, but Rick Barnes isn’t operating like a coach who’s banking on a quick resolution.
Barnes said he believes Washington will eventually be cleared to play, yet the Volunteers are planning as if they won’t have him available in the near future. That means Tennessee’s staff is building out its rotation and preparing for games without knowing when - or if - Washington will be able to step in.
"We don't know when. I mean, we think he will be eligible to play. We think it will happen," Barnes said.
Even with that confidence, Barnes made it clear Tennessee can’t leave its lineup decisions hanging.
"We're not planning on him doing that, obviously, tomorrow night, or Tyler," Barnes explained.
Washington’s situation has been in limbo since October 16, when the Tennessee Supreme Court denied a request for review tied to a temporary injunction that had allowed him to pursue another season. He has already played four collegiate seasons and is trying to gain a fifth year through legal action aimed at NCAA eligibility rules.
Last season at Vanderbilt, Washington averaged 8.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game. His size and experience would give Tennessee another important piece in the frontcourt if the situation breaks his way.
Until then, Barnes is looking at other options. He previously pointed to Miles Rubin, Braeden Lue and Chris Washington as players who could help absorb the loss, while the staff can also lean into smaller alignments, including moving Jalen Haralson into different spots.
Barnes also said Washington is handling the wait the right way and continuing to improve.
"He's getting better, and I'm sure he's frustrated inside," Barnes said.
For Tennessee, the focus now is simple: get ready with the players it knows it will have, while Washington keeps fighting for a chance to suit up. The Volunteers begin the regular season November 3 against Wofford, which makes the timeline on his eligibility all the more important.
In Other News...
Tennessee's Celebration Just Added Another Twist To This Alabama Rivalry
The postgame celebration in Knoxville came with a costly catch. After Tennessees win over Alabama, the Southeastern Conference fined the university $500,000 for violating its access to competition area policy, punishing the fan rush onto the field that followed one of the programs biggest victories in recent memory. The leagues policy is designed to keep spectators out of competition areas for safety, and it only allows exceptions when procedures are approved in advance and clearly communicated.
The money will go to Alabama, adding another layer to a rivalry that already had plenty of juice. Tennessee still has a path to have the fine reduced if it can show it tried to prevent the field storming or that there was only minimal interaction during the scene, but for now the SEC has made clear that the celebration crossed a line it wasnt willing to ignore. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama Faces A Brutal Truth After Tennessee Exposed This Weakness
Alabamas trip to Tennessee ended with a 26-10 loss that put a familiar SEC test back in sharp focus: the line of scrimmage. ESPN analyst Greg McElroy pointed to the Tides struggles up front and the offensive turnovers as major reasons the game tilted, even as Alabamas defense did enough to keep things from getting away from them early.
Tennessee, meanwhile, leaned on its running game to control the contest and keep pressure on a Tide offense that never found much rhythm. The result dropped Alabama to 5-2 overall and 3-2 in SEC play, with Texas A&M next on the schedule as the Tide try to answer a question that was exposed in a hurry in Knoxville. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee's Alabama Celebration Just Reignited A Debate Vols Fans Know Well
The celebration in Knoxville is already carrying a pricey reminder. Tennessee was fined $500,000 by the Southeastern Conference after fans stormed the field following the football game against Alabama, a scene that quickly turned a big win into a league issue. Under SEC policy, spectators are not supposed to enter the field except in specific circumstances, and the penalty is being passed along to Alabama.
There is still a possible path to a smaller bill if Tennessee can show it made efforts to keep fans off the field, but the visuals from Saturday make that a tough case to sell. Video showed a large number of fans spilling onto the turf, which is exactly the kind of moment the conference has tried to discourage as it keeps revisiting how to handle field-storming celebrations. [Read more 🡒]