Tennessee probably isnt primed for an immediate turnaround. The media picked UT to finish 12th in the SEC in October after the Vols finished 16-16 last season, including 7-11 in conference play. They lost All-SEC guard Josh Richardson, who now plays for the NBAs Miami Heat. This season Barnes has expected more from Moore and senior guard Kevin Punter, who both averaged 10.3 points per game last year, tops among returning players. That duo has combined to average 36.0 points per game during the Vols 2-1 start under Barnes.
The Vols dont resemble a tournament team just yet. But the coach has taken to his new group, a collection of players who have been through more uncertainty than most student-athletes around the country. They havent been afraid to work and compete, Barnes says. Im the third coach in three years for some of these guys, and I dont think people realize how hard that is for young people to deal with. Youve got to earn trust both ways.
