Tennessee basketball is still on the hunt for its first-ever Final Four. However, in the past three seasons, Rick Barnes has had the Vols knocking on the door. In each of the last three years, UT has made it to the Elite Eight, which it had done just once prior to that stretch.
Now, Tennessee is reloading in an attempt not just to get back to the round, but break through to the Final Four and ultimately win a national title. In this pursuit, UT Athletic Director Danny White was asked about his backing of Barnes during the Big Orange Caravan. He said he’s doing whatever he can to support the program.
“We all want it. He wants it,” White said. “He’s so competitive. I’ve been working with Rick, this was my fifth season. I had half of a season when I first got here in January of ’21, so I guess maybe this is my sixth season. The way he commands his team and talks about winning a national championship in November and December and January. He wants to win the whole thing and we’re going to support him any way we can.
“He’s just built an unbelievable program for us. Best basketball coach we’ve ever had. Three Elite Eights is so hard to do. Four straight Sweet 16s is so hard to do. I’m excited about what he’s putting together for next year, that’s for sure.”
Tennessee AD Danny White at tonight’s Big Orange Caravan:
Disappointing year by UT standards, want to win championships every year
Still believes in Caldwell
Wants 24-team CFP
Doing everything to get Barnes, Vols to Final Four. @NC5 pic.twitter.com/A2WfZtRXg0
— Steve Layman (@SteveLayman) April 30, 2026
More From RTI: Tennessee Basketball Freshman Wing Commits to New School in Transfer Portal
In the effort to reload, Tennessee lost a good bit of production to the portal. Contributors JP Estrella, Amari Evans, Jaylen Carey, Bishop Boswell and Cade Phillips are all departing for other Power Four schools. However, the Vols have hammered the portal themselves to find talent.
UT has landed six portal commitments so far. This features Belmont guard Tyler Lundblade, Cal guard Dai Dai Ames, Loyola (Chicago) forward Miles Rubin, Notre Dame forward Jalen Haralson, VCU guard Terrence Hill Jr. and Kennesaw State forward Braden Lue.
Tennessee isn’t done, either. The Vols’ staff just took another trip to see coveted Wake Forest transfer Juke Harris with the hopes of getting him to join the program.
