Tennessee Vols have staying power at No. 1 because of Rick Barnes
For the first time since Bruce Pearl was the head coach, the Tennessee Vols are the top basketball team in the nation. But simply being the No. 1 team in the country isn't what Tennessee is playing for this season. It's a championship or bust for the 2018-19 Vols. And while being No. 1 is […]
For the first time since Bruce Pearl was the head coach, the Tennessee Vols are the top basketball team in the nation.
But simply being the No. 1 team in the country isn't what Tennessee is playing for this season.
It's a championship or bust for the 2018-19 Vols. And while being No. 1 is fun for the players and the fans, it's basically the equivalent of placing a giant red target on the UT basketball program.
Tennessee can be assured that from this point forward they will get every team's best effort. After all, everyone always wants to knock off the best team in the country.
Fortunately for the Vols, and their fans, they have staying power at No. 1.
And that's because of one person — Rick Barnes.
Look, being the top team in the country might be new territory for everyone on Tennessee's roster. But it's not for Barnes, who also led Texas to a number one ranking in 2010.
However, that's not the main reason Barnes gives Tennessee staying power. The biggest reason I think the Vols can remain in the top spot under Barnes is because the UT head coach is never satisfied. That's something that can be said about a lot of basketball coaches, but with Barnes it seems to be a little more true than with most.
If you were to watch post-game press conferences with Barnes, and you didn't know the final score of the game, you'd have no clue if Tennessee won or lost. In fact, you'd probably think they lost.
Complacency leads to failure. And it would be easy to become complacent sitting at the top.
But Barnes isn't going to allow that to happen.
The Vols have a tough stretch to finish the season. They still have to play Kentucky twice, Mississippi State and at Auburn. If they let their guard down for a moment, they'll quickly give up the No. 1 ranking they fought so hard for.
I don't know how the Vols will finish the season. I think this Tennessee team has a lot of fight and I don't think they'll get a big head from being ranked No. 1. Does that mean they'll win it all? That's impossible to know.
But I do know that if the Vols lose a game or two before the end of the season, it won't be a stain on this team. It's a long season. And an off night is bound to happen. If the Vols drop a couple of games, it won't be because Barnes didn't have them prepared. That's one thing that Tennessee fans can count on.
The Vols' 2018-19 season will ultimately be judged on what they do in March and April, but this is already a season that UT fans will forever remember.
If they keep their focus, it might be one that all college basketball fans forever remember.
Featured image via Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
