Tennessee coach Rick Barnes is considered a no-show in March Madness while Auburn coach Bruce Pearl is considered a prince. Something isn’t right.
Let’s begin with this. Both coaches have one Final Four run on their resume. Just one. For both of them. However, it seems that fact is pointed out more frequently with Barnes, who is often disparagingly referred to as “Second Round Rick.” That seems a bit unfair. Don’t believe me? I’ll prove it.
Barnes has made the NCAA Tournament 27 times. He has advanced to the Sweet 16 or beyond on nine occasions. Pearl, who coached in Div.-II until 2001, has advanced to the Sweet 16 or beyond on five occasions. Let’s do some math.
Once he reaches March Madness, Barnes has advanced to the Sweet 16 or beyond 33-percent of the time. Pearl has advanced to the Sweet 16 or beyond 38-percent of the time. Pearl’s record is better, but not by much. So why does Barnes get all the heat? Age may be a factor.
Pearl turned 65-years-old on Tuesday. Barnes will turn 71-years-old in July. Is there something different about being 70 or older? Perhaps. However, age isn’t the only reason that Barnes’ resume, which is soon to be complete, is often criticized. Barnes faced the same heat when he was a younger coach at Texas. Pearl has never faced that sort of criticism. There’s reason to believe that the two coaches’ style of play is a factor.
Pearl is viewed as an aggressive coach that has mastered the X’s and O’s of basketball, especially during inbound plays. While that may be true, it’s a bit too simplistic to differentiate between the two purely based on scheme. It’s not as if Barnes is just faking his way through a game plan. He wouldn’t have been a head coach for over three decades if that were the case. The criticism about Barnes seems more centered about how he manages his team.
Known for tough, demanding practices, Barnes is often critiqued for being too hard on his players, which leads them to be fatigued later in the season, especially in March. While that may be the case, it hasn’t seemingly hindered the Vols recently. Tennessee has made the SEC Tournament twice since 2022 and advanced to the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight in the past two seasons. Perhaps Barnes has altered his approach? If so, he hasn’t told anyone.
Both coaches will get a chance to change the narrative of their careers – or reinforce them. Auburn is a No. 1-seed. Tennessee is a No. 2-seed. Neither seem like world beaters at the moment. The Tigers have stumbled down the stretch, losing three of their last four, while the Vols barely managed to stay close to Florida in the SEC Championship Game, losing 86-77. Both teams are good, but are they great?
Barnes and Pearl enter March Madness with high stakes. If either coach makes the Final Four, there will be no questioning their postseason resume. Having two Final Four runs on their record would quell the critics. However, losing early wouldn’t be good for either coach’s legacy.
Imagine the outrage by the individual fan bases if either Auburn or Tennessee lose in the first two rounds. The “Second Round Rick” moniker would gain even more steam. However, “Bounced Out Bruce” could also become a common moniker. Perception is a funny thing – and it’s clearly aligned against Barnes for now.
