Rick Barnes credits defense across NCAA Tournament field

Rick Barnes has built his team around playing defense and ideology has paid off. Tennessee finds itself in the Sweet Sixteen and has a great chance of reaching a Final Four. FAU will be the first opponent, with Kansas State and Michigan State on the other end of the bracket. Offensive struggles have occurred for the Vols but throughout the NCAA Tournament, teams have found similar problems.

The type of ball used in the first two rounds has been a big talking point heading into the second weekend. Shooters have stated discomfort and described their struggles. Barnes just thinks great defense is being played after coaches have put an emphasis on it.

“Well, I do think this: I think there is a great deal of emphasis placed on defense in college basketball now because I think we know we’re dealing with young people where inconsistencies can be a part of it,” Barnes said. “We all work obviously and we all will tell you that we need guys that can put the ball in the basket.”

As we have seen throughout the tournament thus far, open shots have been there at times. Shots have not always fallen and shooting percentages have suffered as a result. Again, many think it’s the ball being used by the NCAA.

Barnes somewhat agrees there, saying most coach’s biggest concern is whether or not they can get a basket. However, he believes it’s because teams can control their defensive effort. It’s far from a guarantee for a shot to drop.

“Truth be told, if you ask every coach before every game if you have a concern, he would say, I hope we can make a basket,” Barnes said. “Because the other things you feel you can control with effort and if you’re locked in with a game plan.

“But sometimes you can run the exact play that you want, get the exact shot that you want, and it doesn’t fall for you.”

Even against a lower seed such as Louisiana or an inconsistent defensive team such as Duke, Barnes claims his players were surprised when they got an open shot. Playing quality teams in the NCAA Tournament does bring out their best effort, no matter the scenario.

“I would have to say most of all, if it’s down, it’s because of the defense, because it’s hard to get baskets,” Rick Barnes said. “You come down the court — whether we’re playing Louisiana the other night or Duke, can we find a way to score here, can we shake loose and get a good look? And if you do get it, oftentimes I think players are surprised that they’ve got such a good look.”

Looking ahead to Thursday night, Barnes knows his own team will have to be ready defensively. FAU has been dynamite all season, sporting one of the top offenses in the country. Even if their shots are not completely open, the Owls will not be afraid to pull up.

“We’re playing a team right now that I think they can lock and load that thing as quick as anybody we’ve played all year,” Rick Barnes said. “And knowing that anybody that you play is capable of having one of those nights, I hope we can break our trend and keep shooting it. I think we can. I think we’re a good shooting team.”