Sports
Barnes Faces Virginia in NCAA Tournament After Past Offer Rejection
Rick Barnes, Tennessee Volunteers coach, once declined an offer to coach the Virginia Cavaliers. Now, his sixth-seeded Volunteers will face the third-seeded Cavaliers in the NCAA Tournament.
In 1990, Rick Barnes was faced with deciding whether to remain at Providence or make a move to Virginia. After meeting with Virginia's athletic director and touring the campus, Barnes ultimately declined the job. He chose to stay at Providence for three more seasons before coaching at Clemson and Texas. Since 2015, Barnes has been the coach at Tennessee, leading the Volunteers to consistent success in the SEC. Tennessee has reached two Elite Eight appearances and one Sweet 16 appearance in the last three seasons.
Key Facts
- Rick Barnes, coach of Tennessee, previously declined an offer from Virginia.
- Barnes met with Virginia's athletic director and toured the campus before turning down the job.
- Tennessee is the sixth seed and Virginia is the third seed in the NCAA Tournament game.
- Barnes has led Tennessee to two Elite Eight appearances and a Sweet Sixteen appearance in the last three seasons.
- Arkansas State defeated Georgia State 13-5 in baseball.
- Arkansas State scored 11 runs in the final three innings to secure the win in Atlanta.
- Cason Campbell hit a two-run single to give Arkansas State the lead in the seventh inning.
- Raul Torres had 2 hits, 3 walks, and 4 RBI for Arkansas State.
Primary Source
Research Sources
- Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette — Barnes once spurned Virginia, now Cavs stand in his way | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
- Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette — STATE DIVISION I ROUNDUPS | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
- Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette — SOFTBALL CENTRAL ARKANSAS 10-9, LIPSCOMB 2 (6)-0 (5) | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette