Tennessee hires Barnes as coach
Just two days after leaving Texas, Rick Barnes has landed at Tennessee.
Tennessee announced the hiring Tuesday, calling Barnes an “elite basketball coach in every respect.” The agreement is for six years at $2.25 million annually.
Barnes succeeds Donnie Tyndall , who was fired Friday after one season amid an NCAA investigation of his two years at Southern Mississippi.
Barnes went 402-180 at Texas and reached the NCAA tournament in 16 of his 17 seasons, including a Final Four appearance in 2003.
Texas announced Barnes’ departure Sunday, saying it was a mutual decision. Barnes made it clear at his farewell news conference that he was fired and that he told Texas Athletic Director Steve Patterson he wanted to stay. Barnes said he was given the choice of firing his staff or being fired himself.
Barnes is 604-314 in 28 seasons overall with stops at George Mason, Providence and Clemson.
Women’s AP All-Americans
Connecticut’s Breanna Stewart and Notre Dame’s Jewell Loyd were unanimous selections for the 201415 AP women’s All-America team.
South Carolina junior Tiffany Mitchell , Baylor sophomore Nina Davis and Minnesota sophomore Amanda Zahui B join the two juniors to round out the team. It’s only the second time since the AP started honoring All-Americans in 1996 there were no seniors on the team.
NIT final set
Chasson Randle had 24 points to become Stanford’s all-time leading scorer and carry the Cardinal to a 67-60 victory over Old Dominion in the NIT semifinals in New York.
Randle came in needing 11 points to break Todd Lichti’s record and has 2,350 for his career.
Stanford will play Miami in the championship game on Thursday. The Hurricanes got 16 points from Sheldon McClellan and defeated Temple, 60-57.
Etc.
Oklahoma State Athletic Director Mike Holder said that Travis Ford will remain Oklahoma State’s coach, despite reports saying Ford’s job was in jeopardy. ... Lamont Smith is returning to San Diego to be the Toreros’ coach after playing for the school in the late 1990s. ... Connecticut Coach Kevin Ollie will not be traveling to the Final Four this week, abiding by a travel ban ordered by Connecticut’s governor because of Indiana’s new religious-objections law. ... Connecticut forward Rakim Lubin , who played sparingly as a freshman, announced plans to transfer. ... Louisiana State sophomore forward Jordan Mickey , who led the nation with 3.65 blocks per game this season, has decided to enter the NBA draft. ... Guard D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera , who led Georgetown in scoring at 16.3 points a game, is skipping his senior year to enter the draft.