Jimmy V Classic: Legendary Coaches for a Legendary Event
- Ellie Williamson
- Dec 10, 2024
- 3 min read
Ellie Williamson
Dec 10, 2024
While ‘the game’ may have changed–like the top college basketball recruit in the nation committing to BYU over several bluebloods–some things never do.
Two of those things are Tennessee’s men’s basketball coach, Rick Barnes, and the legacy of Jimmy Valvano. The two gentlemen were thrust into the spotlight this week during ESPN’s Jimmy V Classic. Since 1995 the Jimmy V Classic has served a purpose: bring in the best teams in the country to Madison Square Garden and make it more than just hoops. Playing in the Mecca of Basketball, 100 percent of the profits from the event will go to fund cancer research thanks to an endowment granted to The V Foundation.
But what do these two guys (actually) have in common? A lot, including a recruiting trip some years ago.
Barnes shared the story that Jimmy V showed up to recruit the No. 1 player in the country at the same time he did. Since they were both there at the same time, someone had to go first. Valvano asked if he could go first, so that he could get home to see his wife. Barnes did the honorable thing and let him go ahead.
However, before Barnes could even get comfortable waiting, Jimmy V walked out with the recruit committed to play for him. According to Barnes, “all it took was 3 minutes and a scholarship offer to St John’s.”
Fast forward to the year 2024, where Coach Barnes and staff find themselves having to recruit almost an entire new roster. After an Elite 8 appearance and a spark for the Vols team on a national level, one would think this would be as easy as a scholarship offer. But that is one thing that has certainly changed. This recruiting season needed a painted rock, and welcome to Knoxville signs for the current leading scorer, Chaz Lanier.
It also took a stop for a cookie from Knoxville-based The Whimsy Cookie, followed by a local church sign and other businesses that came together to welcome the recruit to Rocky Top. A long way from the simple scholarship offer days in the past.
Chaz Lanier: leading scorer and average
Felix Okpara: leading the team in blocks with 15
Igor Miličić Jr: leading the team in rebounds with 66
The bright Christmas lights of New York City were shining on the only two active D1 basketball coaches up for the Naismith Hall of Fame award in a game where “arguably the best point guard in the nation,” according to Barnes, led a new mix of Tennessee basketball.
Rick Barnes won the matchup with Miami as the No. 1 team in the country, a rank that everyone will tell you is not easy to acquire with a brand-new roster. CRB is pleased with where they are in the season after tonight’s game.
"Nobody has higher expectations for us than us." - Rick Barnes
After the win in New York, Barnes is 85-77 in his coaching career when facing ACC opponents. This was his fourth ACC opponent in non-conference play. The list of accomplishments continues for the Hall of Fame resume.
The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State University basketball coach, ESPN commentator, and member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The V Foundation has funded nearly $400 million in game-changing cancer research grants in North America through a competitive process strictly supervised by a world-class Scientific Advisory Committee. To give any amount in honor of The Vols' win,
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