The Tennessee Vols football and basketball teams don’t even leave a letter. When they are gone, they’re gone.
UT’s basketball team was the latest to leave the Vol fan base all alone with an empty feeling. The Vols lost to Houston 69-50 on Sunday to prevent Tennessee from advancing to that all-too-elusive Final Four, which the Vols have never made in their history. At least UT’s fanbase didn’t have to fret for long in its matchup against the Cougars; the Vols were never in the game.
In the first half of this Elite Eight matchup, the Tennessee Vols only managed 15 points. That’s bad, but it’s better than Tennessee’s football team, which only scored 10 points in the first half of a 42-17 loss at Ohio State in the first round College Football Playoff. Both games were ones to forget, but neither should overshadow two very successful seasons.
Simply making it to the Elite Eight or the College Football Playoff is proof that the Tennessee Vols were one of the best teams in the nation in both sports last season. That shouldn’t be forgotten just because both seasons ended on a sour note. Both programs can easily match what they did this past season and advance further in the near future.
I’m sure Tennessee’s fans are hurting. It’s hard not to be sympathetic for a fan base that is so supportive. Vol fans took over Columbus for the Ohio State game in football and followed the basketball Vols all over the country for the SEC and NCAA Tournament.
Despite the nature in which both teams lost, they were national championship contenders. That shouldn’t be lost in a one-sided season finale. Both teams will be back in title contention soon, likely this upcoming season.
Tennessee’s basketball team won 30 games this season. The Vols have only reached that mark three times in school history. Barnes has done it twice.
UT’s football team has won 10 games or more in a season just twice since 2007. Josh Heupel is responsible for both, even though they were each marred by ugly losses late in the season, to Ohio State this past year and to South Carolina in 2022.
Both teams can match their recent success in the near future.
Led by Heupel, the football program has a strong coaching staff and a solid roster that can overcome a few players moving on. That’s half true with Tennessee’s basketball team.
Tennessee certainly has a strong coaching staff in place, led by coach Rick Barnes. However, they’ll have to rebuild a senior-laden team before next season. Although it’s daunting, I have little doubt that Barnes can do that.
Barnes has surprisingly become a master of the transfer portal, proving he can assemble a championship-contending team in just an offseason. Who needs player development? Sure, Barnes can do that, but he can also get the best out of players he barely knows for a full calendar year.
My only concern with either program is Barnes’ coaching future. I know he has said he will return to the Tennessee Vols to coach at least one more season, but I’m sure there will be plenty of contemplating in the coming days.
If Barnes does, indeed, retire then I have no doubt that Tennessee athletic director Danny White can find a suitable replacement. Just look at the Lady Vols and Kim Caldwell. That was a slam dunk hire.
Caldwell is proof that the Vols will be competitive in all sports as long as White is in charge. The Lady Vols were considered a borderline NCAA Tournament team before the season. Yet, instead of sitting and watching basketball in March, they won 24 games, made the Sweet 16 and inked one of the top incoming signing classes in the nation. Yep, Caldwell will be just fine.
My only question about Tennessee’s athletic department is who will win a championship next. Well, the answer is probably baseball, but Barnes, Caldwell and Heupel all have a legitimate shot.
Tennessee’s basketball program will be in a similar position in the coming years. I have no doubt about that. No one-sided contest will alter what I think of the direction of UT’s athletic department.
The Tennessee Vols are headed to even better times in the near future. They have White as well as incredible fan and financial support. Don’t let one game destroy the faith you should have in the Vols.
Tennessee will win a championship sooner rather than later as long as they stay competitive – and there’s no reason to doubt that. Now, it’s on to baseball season. There’s always a championship to be had on the diamond as long as coach Tony Vitello is in charge. White isn’t going to let that change anytime soon.
