So far this is working out perfectly for Rick Barnes to join Matt Painter and our own beloved Tony Bennett in reinforcing his reputation for tournament futility. Tennessee has cleared the Duke hurdle, breathed a sigh of relief, and is now the favorite to reach the elite 8. Surely FDU couldn’t pull a St. Peter’s could they?
It’s funny how the narrative changes depending on which round you lose in and to whom. If UT had lost to Duke today, there would be no disgrace. Duke was on a roll, they are Duke, and UT struggled down the stretch without their point guard. But now that they will be the favorite, a loss to FDU or even FAU will be seen as some sort of evidence that Barnes can’t win the big one.
It’s a big boy beating too, not a “plucky underdog got really hot with a David strategy” kind of game. Offensive rebounds, holding Mizzou to 38% inside the arc. They are switching everything and daring Mizzou to beat them 1-on-1 and Mizzou just…can’t?