After the Tennessee Volunteers defeated Saint Peter’s 83-49 on Thursday night in the first round, Rick Barnes celebrated his 200th victory as a player. The Vols had lost their first game in the SEC Tournament and their final two games of the season before this victory.
Following two straight losses, Barnes emphasized the Vols’ focus by saying, “I’m proud of our guys’ focus tonight.” They were aware of what had to be done. I’m proud of the way our guys played defense and prepared.”
With the chaos of March Madness, Tennessee never knows when their season will end, so it will be crucial for them to keep getting ready. Every game will feel like the last one.
Tobe Awaka left the game with a minor injury but came back later in the second half to help the Vols win. According to Barnes, “Awaka felt something in his right leg near the hip, and he’s fine.”
Additionally, reporters questioned Barnes about his impending game against Texas, the team he played for 17 years of his career. According to Barnes, “It’s not easy or fun to face people who have done so much for you in your career.”
“I have friends in Texas that will be dear friends until the day I die. I will always be appreciative of them. After the game, Barnes remarked, “But I’ve been gone nine years.” “I’m a Tennessee Volunteer, and I thank the Lord for that blessing.”
Next: Tennessee slays in the NCAA Tournament’s opening round.
He spent many years working for Texas on the same staff as head coach Rodney Terry. Terry worked under Barnes, so there will be some emotion coming from each bench looking to represent their coach on the court.
Jordan Josiah James is aware of Barnes’ connection to Texas and the potential significance of this game for both the players and him. Given the challenges Barnes and Terry face, I have no doubt that the players in the Texas locker room share a similar desire to win for their coach.
Coach, in my opinion, doesn’t exaggerate anything. James stated, “He doesn’t harbor any animosity toward that university. “For us, we kind of take it upon ourselves to make things right with him because we know this is a huge game for him, even though he doesn’t want it to be.”
Zakai Zeigler is still focused on the ultimate goal, which is more than winning in the Round of 64 or Round of 32. Zeigler noted postgame that the Vols didn’t come to Charlotte or the NCAA Tournament only to win one game. Tennessee has a lot more goals for the month of March.
Jahmai Mashack was open about facing the best competition in the country, too. “I love playing against the big name players, the players that everybody loves, everybody thinks are amazing because it gives me that edge and competitive fire to go and stop that,” Mashack said. “Being the guy that’s known to stop players like that it just makes me want to build off that and keep that rhythm going. It’s going to be exciting.”
Tennessee players know the type of opponent they will have with Texas. While the Longhorns are a lower seed, that doesn’t necessarily mean they are an inferior opponent. The players on this team have lost to worse teams over the past few years, so they aren’t going to be afraid to face Texas head-on, and Zeigler is leading that charge.
“I love competition. I never feel like I’ve ever ducked any smoke or ran from any competition in my life,” Zeigler said. “So night-in and night-out I want to play against top guards and these type of moments, I dream for them and I’m glad God gave me this opportunity.”
There is no doubt the Vols will be ready for their second-round game. Tennessee dominated its first game of the NCAA Tournament and wants to do the same for Barnes and keep its season alive with a spot in the Sweet Sixteen on the line. The Vols and Longhorns tip off at 8:00 PM ET on Saturday.
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