Rick Barnes advocates for Texas to make NCAA Tournament after Tennessee’s SEC Tournament win

The Tennessee Volunteers are one of the best teams in the country, a status that has become expected under 10th-year head coach Rick Barnes. Tennessee is battling conference foes Alabama and Florida for the final No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. It is believed that the team making the deepest run in the SEC Tournament will secure that coveted spot.

On Friday, the Vols faced off against Texas in quarterfinal action—the first obstacle on their path to a possible No. 1 seed. The Volunteers brought their defense from Knoxville, making it difficult for the Longhorns to establish any offensive rhythm. With Texas playing three games in as many days, the Longhorns grew too fatigued late in the second half, allowing Tennessee to pull away and claim the victory.

After the game, Barnes, a former head coach at Texas, emphasized that the Longhorns deserve to be in the tournament. Texas is currently one of the last four teams in, but that could change at any moment. Barnes urged that the Longhorns should be included in March Madness.

“There’s no doubt. Texas is an NCAA team…There’s no doubt in my mind they did enough. I think they’ve done more than enough. I think we should have 14 teams in the NCAA Tournament, is what I think,” Barnes said.

If Texas were to make the tournament, that would mean 14 SEC programs would be represented, shattering the record for most bids by a conference. The previous record was held by the Big East, with 11 bids in 2011.

To even make it to day three of the conference tournament, Texas defeated Vanderbilt and Texas A&M, both of which are projected to make the tournament as well. If the selection committee is listening, Barnes’ comments and the two wins could have played a role in securing the Longhorns’ spot in the big dance.