Tennessee’s Rick Barnes Drops a Truth Bomb Ahead of March Madness Showdown with Kentucky.

Tennessee basketball continues its postseason run after a hard-fought victory over UCLA on Saturday night. The Bruins managed to keep the game competitive early on, but once Chaz Lanier found his rhythm, the Volunteers pulled away to secure a 67-58 win.

This triumph carried plenty of significance. Not only did it punch Tennessee’s ticket to the Sweet Sixteen for the third straight year, but the overwhelming presence of Vols fans in Lexington was impossible to ignore.

It’s no surprise that head coach Rick Barnes was thrilled about the support. When asked about the passionate crowd that helped fuel Tennessee’s win over UCLA, Barnes had high praise for the fanbase.

Barnes Believes Tennessee Has the Best Fans in the Nation

If you were in attendance at Rupp Arena, your presence didn’t go unnoticed. Barnes made it clear that Vol Nation played a crucial role in energizing the team. The players feed off that passion, using it as motivation inside the locker room.

So far in the NCAA Tournament, Tennessee has dominated both Wofford and UCLA, but the road ahead won’t get any easier. Up next, they face Kentucky—a team that has given the Vols trouble this season.

Kentucky managed to beat Tennessee both in Knoxville and Lexington earlier this year, making this rematch all the more intriguing. The Wildcats have had the upper hand, but now the Vols have an opportunity to flip the script.

Fans are eager for a third meeting between these rivals, and Tennessee is determined to settle the score. With a chance to reach the Elite Eight, Barnes, Lanier, Zakai Zeigler, and the rest of the squad are locked in. And they know one thing for sure—Vol Nation will be behind them every step of the way.

Tennessee vs. UCLA: Game Details

The second round of the NCAA Tournament brought another late-night tipoff for Tennessee fans, with the game against UCLA scheduled to start at 9:40 p.m. ET. Despite some frustration over the timing, the Vols remained locked in on advancing.

With the matchup taking place at Rupp Arena, a strong contingent of Tennessee supporters was expected. But for those who couldn’t make it, here’s how to watch the action:

Matchup: Tennessee vs. UCLA (NCAA Tournament)
Location: Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY
Time: 9:40 p.m. ET
TV Coverage: TBS and truTV
Streaming: Available on fuboTV

Vols Look to Continue Their Dominance

Tennessee entered the game as the favorite, but UCLA, led by Mick Cronin, impressed in the first round by handling Utah State with ease. Similarly, Tennessee looked sharp in its opening-round win over Wofford.

Chaz Lanier and Zakai Zeigler were instrumental in Thursday’s victory. Lanier led the charge with an impressive 29-point performance, while Zeigler contributed 12 points along with an outstanding 12 assists—without committing a single turnover.

For Tennessee to keep its Final Four aspirations alive, Lanier and Zeigler will need to continue their high-level play. With Kentucky standing in their way, the Vols are ready for the challenge, and their fans will be right there to push them forward.

Tags: Rick Barnes