Rick Barnes impressed with offensive balance against Georgia
On Wednesday night, Rick Barnes and the Tennessee Volunteers dominated the Georgia Bulldogs, 70-41. It was an easy win for Tennessee against a solid Georgia team that saw the Volunteers control the game on both ends of the court.
After the game, Volunteers head coach Rick Barnes spoke about how impressed he was with the offensive balance against Georgia while also speaking about how he thinks the defense has room to improve.
“I appreciate the fact, and I wasn’t really happy with the way we started the game,” Rick Barnes said. “I think our first six possessions we shot quick threes, but once we settled in, we’ve got an unselfish team.”
Rick Barnes also emphasized that he feels the team’s defense can be better. However, it’s easier for the defense when the offense plays smart and balanced.
“We had talked about coming in the game, more defensively what we need to do to get better defensively because we still think we have a ways to go there. Was with one-on-one defense, knowing that we were gonna play against Georgia’s guards who are tough to guard, especially late in the shot clock when they’re just going to go at you,” Barnes continued.
“They got some wiggle to them where they can set you up, step back. Set you up, step drive, and didn’t want to foul. We thought that was important. And, early in the game, some of those shots led to them getting easy baskets.”
Next up, Tennessee will host Texas on Saturday in a key non-conference game.
“But, offensively, when we’re moving the ball, sharing the ball, that’s when we play our best basketball,” Rick Barnes concluded.
Rodney Terry’s feelings on coaching against Rick Barnes
This Saturday, Texas will take on Tennessee in one of the biggest non-conference games of the season. It involves a unique coaching matchup, where interim Longhorns coach Rodney Terry goes up against his former mentor, Rick Barnes.
Their relationship actually dates back to when Barnes was at Texas, and now Terry has explained his feelings about coaching against him.
“We’ll play the best defensive team in the country on Saturday. Coach Barnes, he’s like family to me. He’s a mentor, someone I stay in close contact with on a regular basis. But, it’s gonna be a great game. It’s gonna be a great atmosphere,” Terry said.
“It’s what you want when you come to Texas to play in these types of games. College GameDay is there. So, I think it’s gonna be a special opportunity for us. You know, I’ve only had a chance to coach against him one time here in a highly competitive game years ago when I was at Fresno State and we’ll be excited about the challenge, going up and competing against one of the best teams in the country.”