Tennessee HC Rick Barnes Reflects on 250th Win, Ethan Burg's Big Night in Victory Over LSU

Barnes discusses Burg's maturity, the importance of having a deep bench, and the challenges of officiating in the SEC.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes spoke to the media following the Vols' 73-63 win over LSU on Saturday night. Barnes reflected on Ethan Burg's big performance off the bench, his 250th win at Tennessee, and the challenges of officiating in the physical SEC. He praised Burg's maturity and the importance of having a deep bench, while also discussing the difficulties of refereeing the high-level talent and physicality in the conference.

Why it matters

This win over LSU keeps Tennessee in the hunt for a top seed in the SEC tournament, and Barnes' 250th victory at the school is a significant milestone. The coach's comments provide insight into the team's depth, the development of role players like Burg, and the ongoing challenges of officiating in the rugged SEC.

The details

In the win, Ethan Burg played 18 minutes off the bench, providing a spark for the Vols. Barnes said he had Burg work on the scout team to "calm down" and focus on being "fundamentally sound" rather than trying to do too much. Burg embraced the role, and Barnes felt he deserved the chance to contribute. The coach also discussed the importance of having a deep bench, noting that players like Amari Evans and Clarence Massamba have helped push starter Nate Ament in practice. On the officiating, Barnes was critical of the lack of "freedom of movement" calls, feeling that physical play is often overlooked, especially on the perimeter.

  • Tennessee picked up its second straight win on Saturday night in Knoxville.

The players

Rick Barnes

The head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers basketball team, who earned his 250th win at the school with the victory over LSU.

Ethan Burg

A Tennessee guard who played a key role off the bench, providing a spark for the Vols with 18 minutes of action.

Nate Ament

Tennessee's starting point guard, who has been playing heavy minutes and needs to be kept fresh down the stretch.

Amari Evans

A Tennessee guard who has made an impact off the bench and helps push the starters in practice.

Clarence Massamba

A Tennessee forward who has been dealing with a hip flexor injury but has also helped push the starters in practice.

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What they’re saying

“Tonight he threw one to Felix that he probably should've kept because he's a really good finisher around the rim. But he's trying to figure out a new game for him.”

— Rick Barnes, Tennessee Head Coach (rockytopinsider.com)

“I told them before the game, maybe one of the reasons that we've let leads get away (is) we've been tired at the end. Tonight, I didn't think that, you know, we made the plays when we (needed to).”

— Rick Barnes, Tennessee Head Coach (rockytopinsider.com)

“I can just tell you, I was on the rules committee, and I always said a foul is a foul. And I think if you get any kind of contact on the three-point line, why is that not the same call at 12 (or) 15 feet?”

— Rick Barnes, Tennessee Head Coach (rockytopinsider.com)

What’s next

The Vols will look to build on this win as they continue their SEC schedule, with key matchups against ranked opponents looming.

The takeaway

Barnes' comments highlight the importance of roster depth and player development for Tennessee, as well as the ongoing challenges of officiating in the physical SEC. The Vols' ability to get contributions from role players like Burg will be crucial as they push for a high seed in the conference tournament.