Sometime before or perhaps during the last night of the next college basketball season, we’ll find out whether Rick Barnes guessed right or wrong.
This isn’t to say the leopard has changed his spots but I do declare the old dog has learned a new trick. Somebody will show us if it works.
Coach Barnes, 72 in July, long ago qualified for the hall of fame with dedicated defense, organized offense, rugged rebounding and practices that were more strenuous than games.
He recruited well enough. He was always looking for genius in point guards. He coached as if everything matters. Players called it tough love. There was real exertion, drippy sweat and an occasional bruise. He worked to make them better – on and off the floor. He cared.
Barnes has done it his way for 39 years at George Mason (one), Providence (six), Clemson (four), Texas (17) and Tennessee (11). I thought the Longhorns erred in telling him to go away. The Volunteers corrected that mistake. He has a lifetime contract.
Rick’s record is 861-435. That is 66.4 percent good and more wins than all but 10 Division I coaches who ever lived. He is just 15 victories behind Adolph Rupp.
Barnes’ teams have not excelled in tournaments, conference or national, but only Mike Krzyzewski and Jim Boeheim have been in March Madness more times. His 30 opportunities have produced a modest 36 victories.
Media and fans too often remind Barnes that only once has he come near the glorious mountaintop. For Tennessee, the Final Four has been never-never land. Barnes keeps hoping to fix that before he gets old.
Michigan convinced him to try another approach. On March 29 in his third consecutive Elite Eight, the more mature Wolverines overwhelmed his Volunteers, 95-62. Barnes’ defense was overmatched. The coach was pushed over the edge. His reaction was stunning.
He decided he had to have more points. That meant different players to do it. He allowed most of what he had – including JP Estrella and Amari Evans – to go elsewhere.
With the strength of new millions in NIL money, Barnes secured what seems like a whole new team. The new shooting stars were among the best in the transfer portal. It will be interesting to see five of them divide available minutes and share one basketball.
Of course they will attend the Rick Barnes’ School of Defense. Dalton Knecht survived, earned a minor degree and turned it into more NBA loot.
Consider 6-6 guard Tyler Lundblade as a likely example of what is to come. At Belmont he became the best three-point shooter in the country, 219 hits in two seasons. He led the nation in free-throw accuracy (93.4). He is a marksman. He was Missouri Valley Conference player of the year.
He was also an academic all-American, bachelor’s degree in business with a 4.0 grade-point average. He is 4.0 in Belmont’s master’s program. This young adult, 24, is said to be polite to senior citizens and patient with little children.
Notice there is no mention of “defense” in the two complimentary paragraphs above.
Juke Harris, 6-7 wing or whatever you need, was first prize in Barnes’ change in direction. He averaged 21.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.3 steals for Wake Forest. He was the ACC’s most improved player. We think he is a tremendous talent.
Juke played more than 1,200 minutes last season and committed only 72 personal fouls. He’ll probably guard Tennessee opponents a half-step closer. He has the length and strength to also be a defensive star.
Alas and alas, there are no money-back guarantees in college basketball. Sometimes good teams get hot at the ideal time and exceed expectations. More often good teams miss too many shots and are dismissed from tournaments.
Whether Barnes’ new plan will achieve the obvious goal is at best speculative. My guess is it will be exciting. If convenient, do make the proper donation to secure tickets. This show won’t go on forever.
Marvin West welcomes comments or questions from readers. His address is marvinwest75@gmail.com
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