The Volunteers last met the Boilermakers in the NCAA Tournament in 2019, when a Tennessee team many picked to reach the Final Four lost a thriller against Carsen Edwards and Ryan Cline. The rosters have changed, but the mission hasn’t for Barnes and Purdue’s Matt Painter.
Here’s what you need to know about Tennessee’s Final Four history and best March Madness finishes.
The Volunteers don’t exactly have a long history of March success, despite being one of the most well-known programs in the country since 2019. Prior to this year’s tournament, Tennessee had only made it to the Elite Eight once, in 2010. However, the Vols had lost in the Sweet 16 eight times in the previous eight seasons.
Bruce Pearl, the head coach of Tennessee in 2010, is currently the head coach at Auburn. After defeating No. 2 Ohio State in the Sweet 16, Pearl guided the Volunteers to a 28-9 season.
The Vols had a good starting point and led by two at the half in their Elite Eight matchup with Michigan State; nevertheless, the Spartans narrowly prevailed by one point.
It won’t be easy, but Tennessee has Sunday to put that memory behind them. Through the first three rounds of the competition, Purdue has appeared completely dominant, defeating the team from the previous year and securing their first Final Four berth since 1980.
On Sunday in Detroit, one program will win a game that defines it, but only Tennessee can accomplish an unprecedented feat.
Has Rick Barnes ever made it to the championship game?
Barnes has actually attended the Final Four before, but Tennessee hasn’t. In 2003, under T.J. Ford’s leadership, he led Texas to the Final Four.
After 17 seasons at Texas, Barnes’s lack of success in March finally contributed to the school’s 2015 departure. While it’s true that Barnes had additional chances to make it to the Final Four throughout his career, 2003 remains one of the greatest seasons in program history.
In order to set up an Elite Eight meeting with No. 7 Michigan State, which Texas won 85-76, the Longhorns defeated No. 5 UConn in the Sweet 16. It was Barnes and the Longhorns.
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