What Rick Barnes said about No. 5 Tennessee's loss at Auburn

With a chance to clinch at least a share of the SEC regular-season title, the Tennessee Volunteers faltered at Auburn on Saturday afternoon.

Despite playing a close game, the Vols ended up falling to the Tigers 84-80. Now, if LSU beats Vanderbilt on Saturday night, it (despite all the recent drama surrounding the program) will win the title outright.

After the game, coach Rick Barnes praised Auburn’s effort, but added that the Vols beat themselves. He spoke about a number of things in his postgame press conference, including the team’s struggles from three-point range.

Here’s a look at what he said after the loss:

On beating themselves:

Rick Barnes: You have to give them credit, but from our point of view, we hurt ourself. Turnovers and not being able to guard the ball.

— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) March 9, 2019

Rick Barnes: The fact is, we didn't guard the ball well enough, whether it was on the perimeter or the inside. You look at it, 19 points off 13 turnovers. We don't usually do that. Shot-clock violations, no one to blame but ourselves. That's on our guards.

— @GrantRamey (@GrantRamey) March 9, 2019

On a controversial three-point shot by Auburn’s Jared Harper late in second half:

Rick Barnes said that Jared Harper three that bounced in was tipped and should've been a two-point play.

Then said "that's neither here nor there."

— @GrantRamey (@GrantRamey) March 9, 2019

On the team’s three-point struggles:

Barnes: We shot too many threes. Lamonte Turner was pressing.

Lamonte Turner was 1-for-9 from the field, 1-for-8 from three. Vols shot 28

— @GrantRamey (@GrantRamey) March 9, 2019

The Vols may find themselves falling to the No. 3 seed in the SEC Tournament if Kentucky beats Florida on Saturday. They’ll still be a threat to win the tourney, but things could have gone better on Saturday.