Rick Barnes downplays familiarity with Madison Square Garden

The World’s Most Famous Arena will play host to Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight games this weekend, with four teams competing at Madison Square Garden. Rick Barnes will lead his team up north, hoping to make his first Final Four as the head coach of Tennessee. FAU will be the first opponent, while Kansas State and Michigan State are on the other side of the bracket.

Some teams might be intimidated by playing at MSG. Between the Knicks, Rangers, and some of music’s biggest performers, getting to play in the arena is a big deal. Tennessee luckily has some experience playing in different parts of the city, mainly Brooklyn this season. Trips to the Garden have been there for previous teams as well.

“Going to New York and playing there,” Barnes said. “I don’t know if these guys have played there… Not all of them, right? We were in Brooklyn earlier in the year. I think they’re just going to be excited in the fact that we’re going to be playing, wherever we may be.”

A Dec. 11 neutral site game against Maryland was played at Barclays Center, resulting in a Tennessee win. Last season against Texas Tech is when the Vols played at Madison Square Garden, also earning a win. Players who returned, such as Santiago Vescovi and Josiah-Jordan James will not be too phased by the bright lights.

In fact, Barnes does not believe MSG will provide too much nerve for any of his players. He believes just being this far in the NCAA Tournament is a major accomplishment. Tennessee should be loose and ready to play against FAU.

“I think this time of year, it’s just the moment of being in the NCAA,” Barnes said. “Being part of 16 teams that are left in the tournament. It brings great excitement. I think what Jahmai Mashack said when someone asked him about the tournament — he said ‘just growing up as a kid, wanting to be in the tournament and just the excitement of it.’ I think alone, that’s what gets kids excited about it.”

Tennessee last made an Elite Eight under Bruce Pearl, dating back to the 2010 tournament. The Volunteers have not gone further than that, never making it out of a regional. Barnes will have an incredible opportunity to do so.

If he can, cutting down the nets at the World’s Most Famous Arena will make the moment that much better.