Even before NCAA basketball fans were done processing the James Nnaji eligibility decision, they found themselves staring at another reality check, where the lines around who can return to the college game have been blurred again.

After blowing a 17-point lead to lose at home to Kentucky, Tennessee blamed it on defense and effort, places where Rick Barnes' Vols have thrived.

After a dominating performance from Florida basketball's Ruben Chinyelu, he would get huge praise from Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes.

Tennessee basketball coach Rick Barnes is still trying to decipher his team following its 80-78 surprise loss to Kentucky at Food City Center on Jan. 17.

Jaylen Carey is more consistent for Tennessee basketball, but Rick Barnes believes there's "so much more left in his tank" as Vols open SEC play.

Freshman Nate Ament's play was only bright spot for Tennessee basketball in a 24-point loss. But that wasn't as bad as the Vols' last trip to Florida.

Tennessee is coming off a 24-point loss to unranked Florida, and after the game Rick Barnes took aim at AP poll voters.

Rick Barnes emphasized a crucial point during his conversation with Ament: even the greatest athletes face setbacks. He cited Roger Federer, who boasts an impressive win rate of nearly 80%, yet only wins 54% of the points he plays. This statistic underscores a vital lesson: it's not about dwelling on failures but learning to move past them.