Auburn forward Jordon Granger (25) blocks a pivotal shot by Tennessee guard Robert Hubbs III (3) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2016, in Auburn, Ala. (Julie Bennett /AL.com via AP) MAGS OUT; MANDATORY CREDITKNOXVILLE – Rick Barnes had some pointed words for Robert Hubbs III on Monday.
What Tennessee’s first-year basketball coach said about one of his players wasn’t as interesting as the fact that the player was in the room to hear them as he waited his turn to speak with the media.
Hubbs has looked closer this season to the five-star recruit Tennessee signed three years ago than at any point in his career with the Volunteers, but Barnes wants more from the 6-foot-4 potential star.
“I know he’s here somewhere, and I hope he’s hearing every word I’m saying,” Barnes said. “He’s got to play harder. We don’t flow as well when he’s on the wing. Of our wing runners, he’s the, what would I say, slackest at doing his job. He doesn’t get to the corners. He just jogs down the floor. Defensively he’s got to get a whole lot better.
“I will say this: If Robert Hubbs will decide to play harder and really make a commitment to his teammates, we’ll win more games in this league this year than people think. He can be a real key guy. But if he doesn’t get out of his comfort zone, doesn’t get out of his personality he’s got to get an edge on the court, and he hasn’t gotten it yet.”