Rick Barnes feels for Chaz Lanier after missed free throw, puts position in perspective

On Saturday, Tennessee trailed Vanderbilt 76-74 with 2.8 seconds left and Chaz Lanier at the free-throw line. Lanier sunk his first free throw, allowing Volunteers fans to take a breath. However, the Volunteers standout missed his second attempt and Tennessee ultimately lost 76-75.

It was only the second time that Tennessee has lost to Vanderbilt in their last 14 meetings. After the game, Volunteers head coach Rick Barnes discussed Lanier’s shortcoming at the charity stripe.

“Chaz is such a great person. I mean, he’s great. He’s so unselfish. I hate it for him,” Barnes said. “Our team does ’cause he wants to win. But imagine four years ago, man, he was averaging two points a game. Last year, he had a good year. The next thing you know he is one of the most sought after players in the country. And he picked Tennessee for all the right reasons.

“He’s very humble. Maybe not selfish enough in some regards ’cause I could tell him (to) do more, be more aggressive, do this, do that. But he’s learning to play at a whole different level. I mean it’s a whole different level. The physicality that he has seen to this point, he didn’t get it ever. And it’s not going to change.”

Lanier transferred to Tennessee this offseason after spending four years at North Florida. He was the No. 4 overall player to enter the portal, according to On3’s 2024 Transfer Portal Player Rankings.

In the 2023-24 season at North Florida, Lanier averaged 19.7 points per game while shooting 51% from the field and 44% from beyond the arc. With such efficiency, Lanier was one of the most sought-after players in the portal, receiving interest from blue bloods across the country.

Nonetheless, he chose Tennessee and hasn’t looked back once. Chaz Lanier is averaging a team-high 18.1 points per game this season. While he’s still shooting an impressive 42.7% from 3-point range, he’s struggled more to finish inside, shooting just 41.2% from the floor.

Alas, Barnes doesn’t lack faith in his star transfer.

“He’s gonna have to keep learning how to deal with it, and it’s gonna be movement, speed, getting separation,” Barnes said. “But I do think his teammates are trying hard to get him open. Everybody’s wanting to down him. We’ve talked enough about what options he’s gotta get to, but he’s just gonna to get to ’em quicker.”