Let us hope Rick Barnes was making Saturday notes, assessing intensity and talent, where did it come from and how much did it cost. It is important that he determine and remember what it takes to reach the NCAA Final Four.

In his 39-year career, he’s been there once without needing a ticket, 2003 as leader of the Texas Longhorns. That was a long time ago. The game has changed.

Lest you forget, Barnes has led Tennessee where it had never been, to three consecutive Elite Eights. Three times on the doorstep sounds great. Results were not all that good. The door didn’t open.

In 2024, Dalton Knecht scored 37 against Purdue. Alas and alas, man-mountain Zach Edey stood around under the goal and got 40 for the Boilermakers. Tennessee lost, 72-66.

Last year, Houston got off to a crushing 27-8 lead and kept both feet on the accelerator. Tennessee never closed to within 10. The Cougars romped, 69-50.

Tennessee put down a couple of higher-seed name foes to reach the Elite Eight a few days ago. What happened next was a record tournament loss for Barnes – Michigan Wolverines 95, down-and-out Volunteers 62. Yes, it was embarrassing.

I liked the coach’s reaction and what he said to the players.

“I’m promise you, there’s going to be a Tennessee team that breaks through because of what has come before it, because of the standard that has been set.

“And that’s not ever going to go backwards. But you have to learn. It’s hard to win this tournament. It can be done … but it’s hard.”

There was a time when it was very difficult just to get into the tournament. Ray Mears had some great teams but only two appearances in the then-limited NCAA show.

The field expanded at a convenient time for coach Don DeVoe. His Vols made six trips. Jerry Green went four-for-four and Bruce Pearl six-for-six. Cuonzo Martin got one taste of March Madness even as fans were trying to get him fired.

There’s no way to win from the outside looking in. Only once has Tennessee been really close to reaching the Final Four.

Sixteen years ago, in Pearl’s next-to-last season as coach, Tennessee defeated Ohio State in the Sweet 16 when J. P. Prince blocked a three-point shot.

In its first Elite Eight, Tennessee had the lead but allowed Michigan State to go on a 14-1 run over a seven-and-a-half-minute span. As often is the case, turnovers, defensive breakdowns and missed shots were to blame.

The Vols rallied. Brian Williams reduced the deficit to 69-68 on a putback. The Vols got even on a Scotty Hopson free throw with 11.2 seconds left. He missed the second.

Maybe the miss muddied minds. I thought the team was slow getting back on defense. Prince was whistled for a hack with 1.8 seconds remaining. Spartan forward Raymar Morgan won the game with a free throw. Tennessee went home two points short of the Final Four.

Tennessee ranks third in the Southeastern Conference in all-time basketball victories. Many notable players have played at Tennessee – Bernard King, Ernie Grunfeld, Dale Ellis, Allan Houston, Jimmy England, Grant Williams, Chris Lofton, Tony White, Ron Widby, Reggie Johnson and Knecht.

I thought Ron Slay was a good one. I still admire A.W. Davis and Bill Justus and Rodney Woods. I don’t know if we’ll ever see another Ziggy.

The Volunteers have appeared 28 times in the NCAA tournament without reaching the main event. Missouri has fired and fell back 31 times. Brigham Young holds the record, 0-for-33.

Barnes told the Volunteers that he was sorry this team fell short.

“I wish the coaching staff, we could look at it and take it apart more and more. But it’s part of life. You’ve got your ups and downs. But the key is we will. We’ll find a way to do it.”

Marvin West welcomes comments or questions from readers. His address is marvinwest75@gmail.com