DALLAS – The American Airlines Center was so quiet with six minutes left in the game that everyone seated in the lower bowl could hear Rick Barnes yell, first at John Fulkerson for committing the foul and then at referee Don Daily for calling it.
“Don, what did he do?” the Tennessee men’s basketball coach barked.
The exchange appropriately encapsulated No. 3 seed Tennessee’s 73-47 victory over No. 14 seed Wright State on Thursday in the NCAA tournament’s opening round.
A quiet arena late in the second half meant the Volunteers were taking care of business against a team most expected them to beat. But it did not mean Barnes was thrilled with all aspects of their performance.
“I think this time of year, you’re looking for perfection,” he said afterward.