Volunteer Country

Watch: Rick Barnes Previews Vanderbilt, Performance of Freshmen Big Men During Friday Press Conference

Vols Basketball Rick Barnes Previews Vanderbilt, Performance of Freshmen Big Men During Friday Press Conference
Jack Foster|
Watch: Rick Barnes Previews Vanderbilt, Performance of Freshmen Big Men During Friday Press Conference
Watch: Rick Barnes Previews Vanderbilt, Performance of Freshmen Big Men During Friday Press Conference

KNOXVILLE, Tenn.– The No. 19 Tennessee Vols basketball head coach Rick Barnes met with the local media over Zoom on Friday afternoon to further recap UT's win over Mississippi State and preview the in-state bout with Vanderbilt on Saturday night. 

Barnes had high praise for Vanderbilt, noting the Commodores are far from an easy out and head coach Jerry Stackhouse has done a tremendous job with his team.

Barnes also touched on the performances of the duo of freshmen post players in Jonas Aidoo and Brandon Huntley-Hatfield against the Bulldogs, as both players had extended minutes in the absence of Olivier Nkamhoua. 

"Offensively how he spaced the floor was great," Barnes said of Jonas Aidoo. "He affected a couple of things. We were happy with his movement and speed, and he can shoot the ball. The shot he shot... everyone thought that was going in. He shot threes effectively in high school."

Barnes was also complementary of Huntley-Hatfield, noting the freshman handled himself well.

"He handled himself really well given the type of matchup he had to be thrown into as a starter. He just has to continue to understand the defense at a high, high level. And we expect he will," Barnes said. 

Barnes' entire Friday Zoom media availability is in the video above. 

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Jack Foster
JACK FOSTER

Jack is a sophomore at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville majoring in Journalism/Electronic Media. Jack grew up in Paris, Tennessee, but now spends the majority of his time in Knoxville doubling as a student and sports journalist for Volunteer Country. Jack has been a sports junkie since he was a young kid and always watched NFL football with his dad on Sundays. Jack still follows the NFL religiously, as he is an avid fantasy football player. Jack started with Volunteer Country in May of 2021 and has since helped provide full coverage of football, baseball and men's and women's basketball. Jack also works as a recurring member of WUTK's Rock Solid Sports show on Wednesdays and Fridays, and he also serves as head sports producer of The Volunteer Channel's Vol News, a student-run show at the University. When Jack is not watching or covering sports, find him on the golf course or back home spending time with his parents, younger sister and friends. Follow Jack on Twitter and Instagram by clicking "Twitter" and "Instagram" to see all of his work with Volunteer Country as well as student media.