Tennessee basketball head coach Rick Barnes made a bold decision in Saturday’s 74-70 win over Texas by benching budding star Chaz Lanier for much of the second half. While the Vols managed to secure the victory, the move underscored a growing trend in college athletics: the high expectations that come with NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals.
In his postgame interview, Barnes explained the reasoning behind his decision. “I took him out the first play of the second half because he didn’t shoot the ball,” Barnes said. “That play was designed for that shot. And I told him, I said, ‘If you’re not going to do what you’re getting paid to do, you sit over here.’ Because he is getting paid to do that.”
Lanier’s performance has been underwhelming in recent games, including a 10-point outing against Texas, following a similar performance in Tennessee’s previous game against Florida. He struggled with his shooting, making only three of 11 field goals and two of six from three-point range.
This incident sheds light on the harsh reality of the NIL era, where athletes who earn significant compensation are held to higher performance standards. While NIL has given college athletes an opportunity to profit from their talent, it also brings increased pressure to perform consistently, as Lanier’s benching demonstrates.
For Barnes, the decision sends a clear message to the entire team—and future recruits—that earning money through NIL deals comes with a responsibility to deliver on the court. “If you’re getting paid to play a specific role, you better fulfill that role,” Barnes emphasized.
As college athletics continues to evolve in the NIL era, expect more coaches to adopt this mindset, holding players accountable for their on-court performance in relation to their financial compensation. Tennessee’s focus now shifts to their next matchup against Georgia, where Barnes will look to get the Vols back on track and continue building on their season.