Rick Barnes reacts to Tennessee's loss to Michigan in Elite Eight

Tennessee's 2025-26 basketball season came to an end on Sunday in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight . The Vols (27-12) were a No. 6 seed and eliminated by No.

1 seed Michigan (35-3), 95-62, at United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The 2025-26 campaign marked the 11th season for Tennessee under head coach Rick Barnes . He has guided the Vols to three straight Elite Eight appearances and three consecutive Sweet 16 berths.

Barnes met with media after Sunday's loss to the Wolverines. "Well, I've said before, I like to win every game, but our first two teams at Providence, we were picked to finish last in the Big East," Barnes said. "Getting to the tournament was an incredible, incredible achievement.

Did I make mistakes back then in coaching, probably, in this tournament - certainly. I think I did. Probably putting way too much pressure on guys and maybe changing up what we did maybe too much.