Readers pile on Tennessee Vols basketball, Rick Barnes after one-point loss to Texas | Adams

Tennessee’s offensive struggles have been a target of fan criticism much of the season. So, as you might expect, Saturday’s 52-51 loss at Texas spiked more criticism.

The Vols finished the game with a furious rally, which came one shot short of overtaking a Texas lead that was as large as 49-32.

Not all my literary contributors merely cited what went wrong. Some offered constructive criticism.

Richard writes: Simple. Make free throws.

My response: Thanks for the concise analysis. Ironically, although the Vols made only 8 of 16 free-throw attempts, they shot better than the Longhorns. Texas was 5-for-12 at the foul line.

In case you were wondering, all of those free-throw shooters are on scholarship.

Jerry writes: Why is the local sports media so reluctant to call out Barne$ for his team's underperformance? Give him credit for recruiting three five-stars and three four-stars for this team, but where are the results?

Did Barne$ misevaluate the talent of these players or has he failed to develop their talent? He is quick to call out one of his players for their lack of production, but when is the local media going to call out Barne$?

My response: You have to consider his track record.

When you are one of the winningest coaches in college basketball, you are less likely to be criticized than if you are a losing coach.

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That doesn’t mean he’s above criticism. Barnes has a talented team that has sputtered offensively. You can't just blame the players for that. The coach is also culpable.

Darryl writes: I’m not sure what Coach Rick Barnes needs more from his players, leadership or scoring. It looks like Barnes is steering his UT basketball team towards another mediocre season.

Will UT win at least one post season game this year?

My response: Due to recently acquired prophetic powers, I have the answer. However, I’m reluctant to reveal it since that could alter the betting line.

Mike: I am struggling to understand why Rick Barnes is one of the highest paid college basketball coaches in America. His teams consistently underachieve. He is not earning his inflated salary.

My response: His salary is based on a successful career and leverage.

He had won 741 games before Tuesday night’s game. Moreover, he has won at five different schools.

Three years ago, when he was in the running for the UCLA job, UT renegotiated his contract to make him one of the highest paid coaches in the country.

The main knock against Barnes: His teams historically haven’t fared well in the NCAA Tournament. In the past 13 seasons (seven at Texas and six at Tennessee), he has taken only one team as far as the Sweet 16.

Marco: Kennedy Chandler dribbles too much, and he turns over the ball way too much, and he misses way too many shots. Zakai Zeigler is the spark that brought us back from a 17 point deficit, and a certain blowout. And yet … he almost did it… all by himself.

Why does Barnes kept the faith with Chandler? Why does he not start Zeigler?

My response: Chandler is a five-star recruit with NBA-level talent. I agree that the freshman doesn’t always play to that level.

Nonetheless, he’s second on the team in scoring, and leads in assists and steals. He also has a better shooting percentage than Zeigler.

But he leads the team in turnovers.

My guess is that Barnes will continue to rely on both players. Sometimes, he plays them together. Other times, he goes with the hot hand.

Zeigler almost saved the day against Texas.

David writes: The Lady Vols two most talented players - Horston and Burrell - too often try to do "too much”. Results in a bad loss (Auburn) or ugly win (Georgia) that shouldn’t have been that close.

During Burrell’s absence the team played well together. Shared the ball, worked it very well - pretty basketball. Excellent results. Since Burrell has returned, she and Horston compete to do too much.

When they’re on the floor together, they’re a two-woman turnover machine.

My response: Turnovers have been UT’s weakness all season. They sabotaged them in a shocking loss to Auburn, which was last in the SEC.

The Lady Vols lost Rae Burrell to injury for a huge chunk of the season. Jordan Horton then stepped up as their go-to player.

Now, Burrell is back, and the Lady Vols need to adjust to a different lineup. They did it once when Burrell went out. They should be able to do it again.

Tennessee needs both Burrell and Horston at the top of their game if they hope to make the Final Four for the first time in 14 years.

John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com. Follow him at: twitter.com/johnadamskns.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee basketball loss to Texas, Rick Barnes reaction from readers