Everything Tennessee Head Coach Rick Barnes Said to Preview the Vols’ Trip to Vanderbilt
As the Tennessee Volunteers prepare for their SEC matchup against the Vanderbilt Commodores on Saturday, head coach Rick Barnes addressed the media to discuss his team’s preparation, key takeaways from recent performances, and what to expect from their in-state rivals. This game holds significant weight for both teams as the SEC standings tighten, and Barnes did not shy away from emphasizing its importance.
Here’s everything Rick Barnes had to say in his press conference previewing the Vols’ trip to Nashville.
Barnes began by addressing Tennessee’s performance in their last few games, highlighting both areas of improvement and lingering challenges.
“We’ve had some good moments recently, but consistency has to be our focus moving forward,” Barnes said. “Defensively, we’ve shown that we can be one of the best teams in the country, but there are still stretches where we lose focus. Offensively, it’s about execution—staying disciplined and making the right reads.”
The Vols are coming off a hard-fought win against Mississippi State, where their defense shined, holding the Bulldogs to just 54 points. However, Barnes noted that turnovers and missed opportunities on offense are still areas of concern.
“We can’t afford to give the ball away as much as we did last game,” Barnes admitted. “Against a team like Vanderbilt, those mistakes will hurt us because they’ll capitalize on them.”
When asked about facing the Commodores, Barnes spoke highly of head coach Jerry Stackhouse and the challenges Vanderbilt poses.
“Jerry has done a terrific job with that program,” Barnes said. “They’re a well-coached team, and they play with a lot of energy, especially at home. Their guards are quick, and they’ve got guys who can really shoot the ball, so we have to be disciplined defensively.”
Vanderbilt’s ability to stretch the floor with their shooting is something Barnes emphasized as a key point of preparation.
“They’ve got guys who can knock down shots from deep, and if we’re not careful, they can get hot in a hurry,” he said. “It’s going to come down to communication on defense and making sure we contest every shot.”
Barnes also highlighted the importance of rebounding, noting that Vanderbilt’s size and physicality in the paint could present challenges.
“We’ve got to win the battle on the boards,” Barnes stressed. “Rebounding is always a big part of what we do, and it’ll be critical on Saturday.”
Barnes provided updates on the team’s lineup and rotations, hinting that there may be some adjustments ahead of the Vanderbilt game.
“We’re looking at a few things in practice to see how we can get the most out of our rotations,” Barnes said. “It’s important to keep guys fresh, especially in a physical game like this one.”
When asked about standout freshman Freddie Dilione, Barnes praised his recent progress.
“Freddie has been great for us, and he’s learning more every day,” Barnes said. “His ability to create plays and his energy on defense have been a big boost for us. We’ll need him to step up again this weekend.”
Playing at Memorial Gymnasium in Nashville brings its own unique set of challenges, and Barnes acknowledged the intensity of the in-state rivalry.
“Anytime you play Vanderbilt, especially on their court, you know it’s going to be a battle,” Barnes said. “The crowd is going to be loud, and they feed off that energy. We’ve talked to the guys about staying composed and focused, no matter what’s happening around them.”
Barnes also addressed the unconventional layout of Memorial Gym, with team benches located on the baselines rather than the sidelines.
“It’s different, no doubt, but we’ve been there before,” Barnes said. “We just have to communicate even more and make sure we’re locked in from start to finish.”
Barnes concluded his remarks by outlining the keys to a Tennessee victory.
“It’s going to come down to defense, rebounding, and execution,” Barnes said. “If we can limit their second-chance opportunities and stay aggressive on both ends of the floor, we’ll put ourselves in a good position to win.”
With the SEC standings tightening and every game carrying postseason implications, the Vols understand the importance of this matchup. Under Barnes’ leadership, they’ll aim to bring their trademark defensive intensity and disciplined play to Nashville, hoping to secure another critical conference win.