The buzz of March Madness is already in the air. It’s that time of year when college basketball fans start dreaming of Cinderella stories and nail-biting finishes. But for Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes, that buzz might feel a bit more like a ticking clock. In a career where his regular season numbers are tops, he has found himself under increasing fire about his NCAA Tournament record, having failed to make the Final Four even once in his decade-long career with the Volunteers. Just over a month left, he’s under the microscope again. 

On January 25, Tennessee gave No. 1 Auburn everything they could handle. The Vols nearly pulled it off, falling short in a 53-51 thriller. It wasn’t the result Tennessee wanted, but what stood out was their defense. They limited Auburn, which had been putting up 85.7 points a night, to 31% shooting and 15% from three. For context, that was Auburn’s worst offensive performance all season.

Tennessee’s ability to completely throw off one of the best offenses in the country is exactly why people believe in this team’s potential. But the narrow loss also highlighted their Achilles’ heel: the offense. Tennessee’s offense has been inconsistent, especially during SEC road games. The team has failed to score more than a point per possession in two of their four SEC away games. This inconsistency has been a major concern for the Volunteers. And as March Madness creeps closer, more and more people are asking whether that will be their undoing. 

Rick Barnes isn’t just feeling the pressure from fans—national analysts are chiming in too. One of the voices belongs to Mark Titus, who didn’t hold back on his concerns about the Volunteers during a recent episode of his show. “My fear with Tennessee, though, is that they have just devolved after last year,” Titus said. “What is the plan B? That’s what I’m worried about with Tennessee.”

His point is hard to ignore. Since December, Tennessee hasn’t cracked 75 points in a single game. Their defense, though, is one of the best in the country. They ranked no.1 entering the game the Kentucky Wildcats on Tuesday. But their inability to put points on the board has fans and analysts worried.

When it comes to March Madness, being able to pivot mid game is often the difference between going home and moving on. Titus made this clear, saying, “If every single game they play in the NCAA tournament is a game where both teams are four for 25 from the three-point line, then they can win it… But what happens when you’re playing a team that’s just hot and they’re hitting threes? Can you adjust? I don’t know.”

It’s a fair concern. Tennessee’s defense might be enough to win grind-it-out games, but what happens when they run into a team that can’t seem to miss? That could be trouble because high flying opponents can expose the Vols weaknesses if they don’t develop a more dynamic offensive game plan.

Despite the criticism, Rick Barnes isn’t losing sleep. After the Auburn loss, he praised his team for its grit and its resilience. “We can get so much better… I’m proud of every guy,” Barnes said, pointing to the leadership of veterans like Zakai Zeigler and Jahmai Mashack. This optimism gives a glimpse into Barnes’ mindset. While fans and analysts are dissecting every flaw, he seems focused on the bigger picture: turning these challenges into stepping stones for March.

If there’s one thing no one can argue with, it’s Tennessee’s defense. It’s been their calling card all season, and the numbers back it up. Tennessee is first in the nation in adjusted defensive efficiency ratings at 86.85, according to KenPom. That’s better than other elite defensive teams, including Houston.

But is defense enough for Rick Barnes and Tennessee?

This defensive dominance isn’t new for the Vols. Over the last several seasons, they’ve consistently been among the best: In 2023-24, they ranked third in adjusted defensive efficiency. In 2022-23, they were the best in the country in the same category. Since 2017, they’ve finished in the top 10 five times.

It’s not just stats, either. The defense has directly impacted their games. Tennessee has won 41 straight games when holding opponents under 60 points. In the first 14 games of the season, they trailed for less than 47 minutes total. But evidently, it hasn’t always proven enough.

After the loss to Auburn, the Volunteers couldn’t handle Mark Pope’s Wildcats. Even as they played without lead scorer Lamont Butler and Andrew Carr, Kentucky snatched a convincing 78-73 win. Just as Titus feared, Pope’s team just couldn’t be limited in shooting; going 50% (12-of-24) from beyond the arc and 50% (25-50) from the field. As the Cats led, Barnes’ team seemed to have made some attempts in panic, for they finished 25-of-72 from the field, and just 11-of-45 from the 3.

As good as Tennessee’s defense is, it’s only half the equation. The best teams in March Madness aren’t just great defensively—they’re balanced. While Tennessee has proven they can shut down opponents, their offensive struggles are a glaring issue. If they can’t find ways to score against teams that push the pace or shoot the lights out, their tournament run could end sooner than they’d like.

With March Madness just weeks away, the clock is ticking for Rick Barnes and his Volunteers. They have the tools to compete at the highest level; an elite defense, experienced leaders and proven coach. While defensive grit is needed on the road to the final four, it takes more.