On the moment that the team found out its NCAA Tournament seeding:
“It was very different than in the past. To be honest, when it came up, there were a couple claps and then everybody got up and walked away. I just think it’s different. We’re all in to that right now. They fought hard to be a part of this tournament and they knew they would be a part of it, obviously. We felt like we would probably be seeded somewhere between five and six. I don’t want you to think that they’re not excited, because they really are excited to play, but it’s just different. It’s very different. We’re here in a big ballroom where you could put down two basketball courts. And we’re spread out and everybody’s there. We were all sitting there from the very beginning of the show, but once it popped up there were some claps and then everybody was going out getting ready to eat. That’s being honest with you. But to be where we were a year ago, I’d like to thank the SEC for doing their part, but I’d also like to thank all of the players in this league and around the country, because they were the ones that had to work through what we’re going through right now, it’s not over. And the fact that we have a chance in the national tournament—I just think the players around the country, what they’re gone through, we should really appreciate it, and the people that have worked so hard to get us to this point. But it is different. And it’s going to be different there, but I think that when the games start, I think we’re all going to be used to ‘sort of, kind of.’ But I will tell you this, I felt like this weekend’s SEC Tournament was just an unbelievable atmosphere compared to what we’ve had to deal with all year long. It felt really like and NCAA Tournament first round game, that’s what it felt like. So that made this week really good. We had great support over here in Nashville, which you would expect from Vol Nation. But going to Indy, I don’t think we know.”
On what he feels like Tennessee’s potential is in the NCAA Tournament:
“I think we’re good enough to play anybody and beat anybody in the tournament. I really believe that, that’s the honest truth. Do I want to have everybody? I would, because really and truly other than a few weeks at a time, we’ve had our whole team together and do I want to see our team right now with everybody and a full roster? Absolutely. With that, we’re not afraid to compete against anybody. Even if things don’t work out with John, we’re going to go there with the same mindset because we believe that someway, somehow we have guys that maybe haven’t played as many minutes like what Uros has done, ready to step in there and play. I like the mindset we have right now, but it would be nice for us to have our full allotment and just see what we can be.”
NEXT: Rick Barnes previews NCAA Tournament continued