COMMENTARY: Barnes beside himself with team's lack of defensive skills

In the realm of coaches, Rick Barnes is as normal as they get.

Put him in a competitive practice or game situation, and he’s going to be intense. What he preaches is a toughness that can translate into success on the floor.

When he’s dealing with the public, especially when the bright lights come on and the media is peppering him, the 12th-year Tennessee head basketball coach is fair and mostly protective of his players.

For 14 minutes Thursday night, that wasn’t the case. Barnes was doing a burn after the Volunteers lost an exhibition game to Xavier, 86-70. He said more than a few times that he hopes a beating like this will get the message across to his newly constructed team that games are won with defense, communication and toughness.

The stats just tell part of the story. The Vols shot just 15% from 3-point range (4 of 26). They were out rebounded 45-31 and outscored in the paint 40-30. Those are three areas that Barnes is used to dominating with his teams.

He criticized the entire unit for taking the easy way out of defense in most occasions. Barnes said players would rather call out a switch on the ball rather than fight through a screen.

I can’t help but think of guys like Jahmai Mashack and Zakai Zeigler, who would battle through whatever the defense threw at them with the tenacity of a tiger. At the time, I guess we were taking a lot of that effort and intensity for granted. Sure, that was the way that everyone played defense. Right?

Well, no. That was special. How special? Just look at the tape from Thursday night and it’s obvious that no one on this offense-centric collection of players is gifted enough to completely embrace the blue-collar logic that goes into playing defense with reckless abandon.

These are thoroughbreds, brought here because they can put the ball in the basket. They aren’t plow horses, who are content — and even thrilled — with doing the dirty work that goes into stringing a few defensive stops together.

Of course, this is a team that was hand-picked by Barnes and his staff. They’ve seen that defense can’t get Tennessee over that Elite Eight hump. However, you’ve got to get to the Elite Eight for the fourth straight time before you can get to the Final Four.

The way the Vols played Thursday night, the Elite Eight seemed several light years away. 

Barnes said this team would have to see what it takes to lose before it can figure out what it takes to win. 

OK, the Vols got beyond the losing part in a big way. Now it’s time to take the next step and start winning.

Before it drives Barnes completely crazy.