The buzz of March Madness is already in the air. The post Clock Is Ticking for Tennessee as National Analyst Corners Rick Barnes Over Approaching March Madness Dilemma appeared first on EssentiallySports.

Tennessee basketball shot 11-for-45 on 3-pointers in its 78-73 loss to Kentucky on Tuesday.

The Tennessee basketball team fell just short in one of the best games of this college basketball season, dropping a true road game against No. 1-ranked Auburn in a 53-51 rock fight. Tennessee had a chance to win it at the end, but point guard Zakai Zeigler's game-tying 3-pointer came up short.

Predictions, picks and odds as No. 8 Tennessee basketball faces No. 12 Kentucky. Plus, injury updates and the latest news

Kentucky basketball fans have had a long line of Tennessee coaches to hate, but Rick Barnes is the exception to the rule.

With No. 6 Tennessee coming to Neville Arena on Saturday, here's what coach Rick Barnes said about Auburn basketball, Bruce Pearl and the Tigers' place in a stacked SEC.

Tennessee did not crumble, though, as Zeigler so accurately said. Tennessee basketball coach Rick Barnes (Photo: John Reed, USA TODAY Sports) One more shot, one more stop, one more call ...

Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle. There's plenty of familiarity between Barnes and Pearl, both of whom have coached Tennessee and will be facing off for the 17th time as head coaches in ...

Tennessee's status as a serious March Madness contender has taken some dents, most recently a deeply frustrating loss to Kentucky.

Vols senior point guard Zakai Zeigler, who injured his right knee late in the first half, returned to action and scored 13 points but was only 1-of-10 from 3-point range. Igor Milicic led Tennessee with 19 points and nine rebounds, while Lanier had 15 points and was 3-of-10 on 3-point tries.

After Zakai Zeigler left Tuesday vs. Kentucky, Tennessee coach Rick Barnes gave a worrisome reaction to his injury at halftime.