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Posted by Scipio Tex on February 21st, 2008 under Basketball
On Mike Tirico’s ESPN radio show (HT: Hornfans Basketball Forum)
Here’s the direct radio link
The money summary quote:
He was just on Tirico’s radio show and said of the Mizzou game they were terrible and he couldn’t let it go. Said he coached angry for 2 weeks after and the team playing poorly was his fault. It stopped when he asked AJ to help him by stepping up on D which he did, very well.
This makes a lot of sense and it’s one of the things I really like about Barnes. He’s intensely self-critical and very adept at self-diagnosis. The fact that he can admit these things publically on a national radio show is a credit to him and demonstrative of a certain degree of bemused detachment about his own failings.
By the way, I don’t think Barnes was coaching angry – I think he was teaching angry. There’s a difference.

Barnes will always have a certain I-will-break-you-to-make-you-better mentality that is, frankly, incredibly healthy for most 19 year old males, but he has always done a nice job of interlacing that with healthy portions of respect, teaching, good humored teasing, and a very legitimate concern for them as young men. When those positives appear absent, or at least are no longer felt, you’re just left with an impatient guy hectoring a puzzled freshman after the quick hook because he didn’t set the screen you just drew up on the goddamn white board during the TV timeout. It’s amazing what an arm around the shoulder and a moderate voice can do for receptivity to instruction.
He also clearly has assistants and, in some instances, players that are capable of speaking truth to power. Very few coaches want subordinates who push up, preferring to get their wisdom from older peers they admire, often out of the game entirely. See Bobby Knight and Pete Newell. I’m under no illusions that Barnes is running an Athenian democracy, but he clearly holds some nameless, rankless debriefs. There’s a petitionining process. That’s incredibly healthy for the program and in line with Barnes’ philosophy of “If it ain’t broke…break it.”
For the record, I have zero interest in making a parallel to Mack Brown as so often happens in these instances. I’m excited about this team – I’m excited about the last decade, truth be told – and I love to discuss these guys in their own right. In fact, I’d argue that we owe them that.
Rick Barnes, glad you’re our coach.

Hiphopopotamus wrote a new blog post: Bid Dance: Day Three 1 minute ago
A little late getting this up today, as our first game is already in the second stanza, but we’ve got plenty more to keep us all fat and giggly.
Lunch
2) Villanova v. 10) St. Mary’s – I like this to be a highly entertaining, competitive game from beginning to end. St Mary’s will likely jump out
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NorthDallasSooner commented on the blog post Rumor Alert–TMG 8 minutes ago
Cameron Clark, #5 3-position player in country (Scout) from Sherman, Committed. T.J Taylor, 3 star two guard from Denison, committed. We seem to have Texoma bottled up. Lots of others “interested.”
This is a rumor at this point and not confirmed, so we’ll see.
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Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post Texas Turns the Page 22 minutes ago
Texoz,
As much as we need to find an identity on offense, we also need to address our defensive schemes. If JCB and JH are two big contributors and we play a 6′6″ guy at 4 and a foul prone freshman in the middle then we need to re-examine our principles on defense. We
dick commented on the blog post Second Round Bets 37 minutes ago
I ended up going the other way and taking St Mary’s. Unfortunately, we’ve all become experts at basketball team collapses this year and Villanova’s collapse looks too familiar.
I really like Washington today for the reasons you mentioned. I have them in my Calcutta too so I have a lot riding on them.
I am
Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post Recapping the West 39 minutes ago
Yea, Mack was very good. He got really hot in the right game. Aubrey Coleman was pretty good too. And your definitely right Jordan Crawford. He’s fun to watch….
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Jorgrama commented on the blog post Texas Turns the Page 1 hour ago
Barnes has lost two longtime assistants and gained Paulino and Ogden–two guys who really only know what he’s taught them. Seems like he should look to the outside for some methodology.
Two, got to recruit fewer projects. Fewer spindly white guys that need to gain 30 pounds of muscle. Fewer all-purpose guards who you
Kevin Berger commented on the blog post Recapping the West 1 hour, 1 minute ago
Thanks Patrick. UTEP played dumb and Butler was en fuego. Be nice to have a Shelvyn Mack on this Texas team, huh?
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Kevin Berger wrote a new blog post: Recapping the Midwest 1 hour, 3 minutes ago
There were lots of fireworks and exciting games in this region. Let’s start at the top.
Kansas vs. Lehigh
Lehigh never had a realistic shot, but I’m sure they gained Kansas’ respect as a sixteen seed. They’re pretty athletic, especially inside. Again, I ask the tournament selection committee; this was the worst team in
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Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post Recapping the West 1 hour, 24 minutes ago
Great recaps, Trips, er Kev. Keep pumping out the great content. Sorry about UTEP…..
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Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post Rumor Alert–TMG 1 hour, 29 minutes ago
NDS,
What will your team look like w/o those two guys? Who do you have coming in???
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Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post Nike U in Turmoil 1 hour, 40 minutes ago
Getting off a sinking ship. Bellotti is supposedly very much like Mack in his affinity for the media. I’ve always wondered about the assumption that Mack would be happy as the Texas AD when he could just go get a cushy analyst job. Mack clapping in studio would be great TV, no??
Kevin Berger wrote a new blog post: Recapping the West 1 hour, 42 minutes ago
The Wild West was anything but considering all games played according to seed except for Vanderbilt and Murray State. Let’s start with the big dog.
Syracuse vs. Vermont
The Orange took an early first half lead and never looked back. Using five players with double figure scoring, and a new-look zone missing interior presence Arinze
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Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post Texas Turns the Page 1 hour, 42 minutes ago
AAS wrote a dumbed down version of this subject today. Barnes says he’s bringing in another guard. Good, because I feel very confident in our depth in the front court. Alexei, white stiff #1, and white stiff #2 make me ooze with confidence especially behind a true freshman and undersized 4…….
Barnes, asked
Farmer Ted wrote a new blog post: Suh Meets with Lions 2 hours, 2 minutes ago
Not too long ago we laughed at the idea that a team would consider taking anyone ahead of Ndamukong Suh in the NFL draft. Now it appears very possible — even likely — that the Rams will take QB Sam Bradford with the #1 pick, which would give the Lions the next shot at Suh
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Black Scholes commented on the blog post Texas Turns the Page 2 hours, 5 minutes ago
Hamilton needs 1-2 years to seriously work on the deficiencies in his game. He goes now, and in a couple of years he’s “whatever happened to …?”. The risk is while he might get drafted now on potential, if he can’t/won’t develop as a player he won’t even have that to offer in
NorthDallasSooner commented on the blog post The week in news- Pariahs, Malcontents and Power Hour 2 hours, 31 minutes ago
“Coincidentally I maintain a subscription to Texas Monthly magazine in an effort to keep up with my roots in some way, shape or form. The April issue showed up at my house this afternoon and features a fairly in depth article about the ongoing drama between Texas Tech and the Dread Pirate Leach. The more
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Kevin Berger wrote a new blog post: Recapping the East 2 hours, 34 minutes ago
Again, no news is good news when you’re one of the top seeds in the region. That motto holds true in the East as the top four seeds advanced.
Kentucky vs. East Tennessee State
This was a blood bath from the tip. Anyone that thinks this young Wildcat club may have one eye on the
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NorthDallasSooner wrote a new blog post: Rumor Alert–TMG 2 hours, 43 minutes ago
It’s certainly unconfirmed, but I got this email this morning from a friend who follows the hoops program very closely. Stay tuned……
“A very reliable source close to the OU BB program told me yesterday TMG is gone. He packed his bags and unless Capel can talk him out of it our PG for the future has left
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Sailor Ripley commented on the blog post The week in news- Pariahs, Malcontents and Power Hour 3 hours, 1 minute ago
Great survey, whiskey. I miss football a lot.
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Kevin Berger wrote a new blog post: Recapping The South 3 hours, 7 minutes ago
There were lots of surprises in this region and a near miss or two that could have really turned this bracket upside down. But after the dust settled, seeds 1 through 4 remain alive…for now anyway.
Duke vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Let’s start at the top where Duke methodically disposed of an Arkansas -Pinebluff cub that gave
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Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post Because We’re Dedicated To Doing Stupid Things – Tiny Gallon Reportedly Took Payout 3 hours, 22 minutes ago
Funny, an OU blog talking about a Texas’ team when referencing the state of unrest and embarrassment. I mean, you have such a rich history to draw from. I’ll miss Tiny. Like Sailor, I love his nickname…..
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Sailor Ripley commented on the blog post Because We’re Dedicated To Doing Stupid Things – Tiny Gallon Reportedly Took Payout 3 hours, 29 minutes ago
Why do bad things happen to bad people?
I will always love the name Tiny Gallon. I see him being a fan favorite in Turkey and he’s going to love the souvlaki.
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whiskey commented on the blog post The week in news- Pariahs, Malcontents and Power Hour 3 hours, 57 minutes ago
This all might actually work out for Tebow in the end. If nothing else he is both a winner and a fierce competitor. I will be surprised if he goes the way of Eric Crouch. I am also liking Quinn’s chances in Denver. He knows that offense and he will
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Ag_in_TX wrote a new blog post: Utah State Post-Mortem 4 hours, 14 minutes ago
Have You Read the Gospel According To Mark? – Sign hanging in Spokane last night.
At some point, you have to ask if A&M is the best coached team in the Big XII. All due respect to Mr. Self in Kansas – but to use a poker analogy – Self is trying for a flush
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Trips Right wrote a new blog post: Second Round Bets 4 hours, 30 minutes ago
Since my leans are hitting at a better rate than my wagers I’m going to go back to basics and post every thing I like but down to half a unit. We’ll see if that works.
Here goes:
Villanova -4.5: After a scare against Bob Morris, time for the ‘Cats to wake up. Too
Patrick Bateman wrote a new blog post: Texas Turns the Page 5 hours, 45 minutes ago
Well, WTF was that? A train wreck is what. That’s how the entire Texas basketball season can be described. A screaming, screeching, ugly train wreck. After ascending to #1 in the nation for the first time in school history, the wheels just fell off during conference play. You can read all about the final and
Ibas water bottle commented on the blog post Because We’re Dedicated To Doing Stupid Things – Tiny Gallon Reportedly Took Payout 7 hours, 48 minutes ago
At what point do A.Ds stop hiring Duke people? At a certain point former coach K players stop being successful college players and start being coaches with shady recruiting results right?
Oh and God bless the crime rate in Stillwater. The simple odds keep the shit from hitting the fan regularly for us.
Who
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Nate Heupel commented on the blog post Oklahoma Sooners – Recruiting So Far 11 hours, 32 minutes ago
BOC: Neither has visited, yet we hold ’ships open for both.
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Nate Heupel wrote a new blog post: Because We’re Dedicated To Doing Stupid Things – Tiny Gallon Reportedly Took Payout 11 hours, 40 minutes ago
TMZ reports that Tiny Gallon took a $3000 payout from an agent.
My God, Capel has no control over this team whatsoever. This is 2007 offseason Texas football levels of embarrassing. You can’t let a half dozen bad apples spoil a bushel of 10 apples…that analogy sucked balls, but you get my
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Sailor Ripley commented on the blog post Previewing Jimmer and the Cougars 12 hours, 52 minutes ago
Great stuff, bear. really looking forward to this game.
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BigSatan said:
February 21st, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Great write-up. I couldn’t agree with you more. Even reading this, the first thing on my mind was “If only Mack could…” But you’re absolutely correct, we owe these guys the respect and appreciation of not making that connection at all.
HenryJames said:
February 21st, 2008 at 3:34 pm
The key to self-diagnosis is how quickly you can do it. Don’t wait for your memoirs to decide you fucked up.
Scipio Tex said:
February 21st, 2008 at 3:37 pm
…said Robert S. McNamara.
“OMG Srry ’bout Nam! k by!”
McLovin said:
February 21st, 2008 at 4:05 pm
… said Donald Rumsfeld
“OMG Srry ’bout Raq! k by!”
CrazyJoeDavola said:
February 21st, 2008 at 4:33 pm
… said Mark Clark
“OMG srry bt Italy kthxbye”
This is fun!
McLovin said:
February 21st, 2008 at 5:05 pm
… said Greg Davis
“OMG Srry ’bout OU! k by!”
I win. Yet I also lose.
srr50 said:
February 21st, 2008 at 5:12 pm
I heard an interview with freshman Clint Chapman early in conference play. He was asked what was the biggest lesson he had learned so far from Coach Barnes as compared to High School.
He laughed and said,
“I’ve learned to follow Coach Barnes’ advice and listen to the message, and ignore how it was delivered.”
BRAGGonUT said:
February 21st, 2008 at 6:30 pm
That is an incredibly bright statement for a freshman, srr50. There are 50-year old men who could learn a lot from that statement. Chapman will be All Big 12 one day.
RansomStoddard said:
February 21st, 2008 at 6:40 pm
We are indeed lucky to have Rick as our coach.
RansomStoddard said:
February 22nd, 2008 at 7:50 am
I just had a horrible thought. What if Indiana courts Rick once they fire Kelvin? He would seem to be a good fit. He’s squeaky clean, has achieved great things at a football school, and is well-liked by other Big 10 coaches {Izzo, etc}.
srr50 said:
February 22nd, 2008 at 9:28 am
Barnes name came up a couple of years ago, but while it obviously is one of the best “name” coaching positions out there, I don’t think it is that attractive to Barnes compared to say Kentucky.
I think Indiana will want to go back to someone with Hoosier/Big 10 ties. Tony Bennett out at Washington State comes to mind.
Crunk said:
February 22nd, 2008 at 6:29 pm
I’ll make a quick Barnes/Brown comparison. Those who know me know I am a big fan of both coaches, but here’s the difference for me:
I’d love to have a beer or two with Rick Barnes. I can’t say the same for Mack Brown.
echeese said:
February 24th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
Well, he’s no Greg Davis, but he doesn’t suck.
Facebook User said:
February 25th, 2008 at 1:09 am
Dude. It’s over. Move on.