Vols Coach Rick Barnes Tries to Explain Big Loss to Bama

What happened to Tennessee Saturday against Alabama?
The 15th ranked Vols took a six game winning streak to Tuscaloosa, and they were blasted by the unranked Tide 78-50.
Head coach Rick Barnes was peppered about the blow-out loss during his press conference on Monday.
Said Barnes:”You know what. We pretty much got what we deserved. It took us ten minutes into that game before we even got close to being the defensive team we’ve been all year.”
Reporter:”Just what did that tape reveal? Anything that stood out other than what you already knew Saturday night?”
Said Barnes:”Revealed pretty much again guys getting the scouting report. Very early in the game we weren’t doing what we were supposed to do in the scouting report.”
Reporter:”Do you think the team kind of has heard the hype and it might have gotten into their heads in this game?”
Said Barnes:”Well I’m sure they do. They hear it. I think it’s a big problem on their part. We’ve got a team of guys that I can tell you when they have big games, it’s almost a pattern they come back and they don’t play as well. Again, it’s over. Once you have a big game that game is over and done with. The question is can you do it again and do it better the next week. I’ve said it before, we don’t have a guy on a night where we’re just not locked in that can carry us.’
Reporter:”Was curious. Did I see that you guys ended up having to bus back, and if so, what was the mood of that trip like?”
Said Barnes:”Ever been on a bus for four hours? I don’t care if you win or lose, it’s not a good deal.”
Repoter:”You touched on this a little. You said you didn’t necessarily practice great Friday, but were there any warning signs between the Kentucky game and Alabama?”
Said Barnes:”I think you guys are trying to make too much of it. We got beat. We didn’t play well. Plain and simple. They might have played as well as they’ve played all year. Collectively, we weren’t good. When you’re not good, you are going to get beat pretty badly, and we did.”
Tennessee hosts South Carolina on Tuesday night at 9 o’clock.