Josiah-Jordan James took an opportunity playfully jab at his coach, Tennessee’s Rick Barnes, ahead of the Sweet 16 matchup against Florida Atlantic.

Speaking on Wednesday ahead of the matchup in Madison Square Garden,

“You would never how Coach Barnes is as old as he is,” James said of his coach, who is 68. “I mean, sometimes he’s yelling so much I worry about him at that age, but he’s great. He keeps coming. He doesn’t take any days off.”

The Vols’ adversity this season is well known, and Santiago Vescovi said he’s not surprised with how they’ve responded to it.

“I’m not really surprised when other guys step up,” he said. “We believe we’re the hardest working team in the country. I think it shows how much work we put in when the lights are off.”

Barnes added his thoughts on the adversity: “Just really excited to be here. Just really proud of players for everything they’ve gone through this year.”

About the venue, Vescovi said that Tennessee hasn’t had much success playing in the city of New York, but the Vols are looking forward to bouncing back this time around.

H/T Tyler Mansfield.