Tennessee hires Rick Barnes as its men’s basketball coach

Just two days after leaving Texas, Rick Barnes has landed at Tennessee.

Tennessee announced the hiring Tuesday, calling Barnes an “elite basketball coach in every respect.” The agreement is for six years at $2.25 million annually.

Barnes succeeds Donnie Tyndall, who was fired Friday after one season amid an NCAA investigation of his two years at Southern Mississippi.

Barnes went 402-180 at Texas and reached the NCAA tournament in 16 of his 17 seasons, including a Final Four appearance in 2003.

“Walking through here and seeing everything [on campus], It was so easy for me to get energized and to step back and realize just how fortunate and just blessed I am to have this opportunity.” Barnes, 60, said. “I really want to emphasize how humbled I am to be here. I understand the great traditions that have come before me.

“I can promise you this, every day, I’ll promise you this, I’m going to protect the great integrity of this university. This basketball team is going to mirror what this university stands” for.

Texas announced his departure Sunday, saying it was a mutual decision. Barnes made it clear at his farewell news conference that he was fired and that he told Texas Athletic Director Steve Patterson he wanted to stay. Barnes said he was given the choice of firing his staff or being fired himself.

Barnes is 604-314 in 28 seasons overall with stops at George Mason, Providence and Clemson. He has reached the NCAA tournament in 19 of his last 20 seasons.

Women’s AP All-Americans

Connecticut’s Breanna Stewart and Notre Dame’s Jewell Loyd were unanimous selections for the 2014-15 AP women’s All-America team.

South Carolina junior Tiffany Mitchell, Baylor sophomore Nina Davis and Minnesota sophomore Amanda Zahui B join the two juniors to round out the team. It’s only the second time since the AP started honoring All-Americans in 1996 there were no seniors on the team.

Etc.

Connecticut Coach Kevin Ollie will not be traveling to the Final Four this week, abiding by a travel ban ordered by Connecticut’s governor because of Indiana’s new religious-objections law.

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Connecticut forward Rakim Lubin, who played sparingly as a freshman, announced plans to transfer at the end of the spring semester.

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St. John’s confirmed that Chris Mullin, the school’s career scoring leader, has been hired as coach of the Red Storm.

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Louisiana State sophomore forward Jordan Mickey, who led the nation with 3.65 blocks per game this season, has decided to enter the NBA draft.

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Guard D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera, who led Georgetown in scoring at 16.3 points a game, is skipping his senior year to enter the draft.