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Tennessee's 2025-26 basketball season came to an end on Sunday in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight. The Vols (27-12) were a No. 6 seed and eliminated by No. 1 seed Michigan (35-3), 95-62, at United Center in Chicago, Illinois.
The 2025-26 campaign marked the 11th season for Tennessee under head coach Rick Barnes. He has guided the Vols to three straight Elite Eight appearances and three consecutive Sweet 16 berths.
Barnes met with media after Sunday's loss to the Wolverines.
"Well, I've said before, I like to win every game, but our first two teams at Providence, we were picked to finish last in the Big East," Barnes said. "Getting to the tournament was an incredible, incredible achievement. Did I make mistakes back then in coaching, probably, in this tournament - certainly. I think I did. Probably putting way too much pressure on guys and maybe changing up what we did maybe too much. Or, honestly, maybe and probably, doing too much as opposed to doing less, but I will never take away from those guys because I know how hard they worked. I know that. Yeah, I mean, I know we lost some heartbreaking games. I can tell you that. We did.
"I lost a game to Ohio State. I'll never forget it. The last game on the second night, like at nine at night. They had like a 40-foot shot on us, but I'm proud of all those teams. I really am. Do I wish we could have won national championships and all that? All I can tell you is we just stay in the arena. We'll keep fighting as long as we can. Again, I'm proud of every team we've ever had in this tournament."
More: Michigan basketball eliminates Tennessee, advances to Final Four
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This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Rick Barnes reacts to Tennessee's loss to Michigan basketball
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The 2025-26 campaign marked the 11th season for Tennessee under head coach Rick Barnes. He has guided the Vols to three straight Elite Eight appearances and three consecutive Sweet 16 berths.
Barnes met with media after Sunday's loss to the Wolverines.
"Well, I've said before, I like to win every game, but our first two teams at Providence, we were picked to finish last in the Big East," Barnes said. "Getting to the tournament was an incredible, incredible achievement. Did I make mistakes back then in coaching, probably, in this tournament - certainly. I think I did. Probably putting way too much pressure on guys and maybe changing up what we did maybe too much. Or, honestly, maybe and probably, doing too much as opposed to doing less, but I will never take away from those guys because I know how hard they worked. I know that. Yeah, I mean, I know we lost some heartbreaking games. I can tell you that. We did.
"I lost a game to Ohio State. I'll never forget it. The last game on the second night, like at nine at night. They had like a 40-foot shot on us, but I'm proud of all those teams. I really am. Do I wish we could have won national championships and all that? All I can tell you is we just stay in the arena. We'll keep fighting as long as we can. Again, I'm proud of every team we've ever had in this tournament."
More: Michigan basketball eliminates Tennessee, advances to Final Four
Follow Vols Wire on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Rick Barnes reacts to Tennessee's loss to Michigan basketball
Continue reading...
