The New Era Of College Sports: Rick Barnes Benched Chaz Lanier In The Second Half Because He 'Wasn't Doing What He's Paid To Do'

God, it pains me to do this, but credit Rick Barnes here.

Chaz Lanier is the best player on Tennessee.

In fact he’s really their entire offense.

Everything has to run through Lanier.

So if he doesn’t take a designed shot for him?

Because he’s paid to do that.

I’m cool with that statement.

I’m all for guys getting paid in college.

No problem with it at all.

I’m also cool with coaches treating them like guys getting paid to do a job.

There’s a fine line and this is perfectly it.

His job isn’t school, he didn’t go there to play school.

He went there to shoot when Rick Barnes designs a set for him.

I know people like to bitch about guys getting paid.

More of it is the fact the transfer portal is nuts.

I still say, one free transfer and then any free transfer when your coach leaves.

Think that’s the most ‘fair’ way to do it while keeping everyone happy.

This also isn’t Barnes bitching about NIL.

He’s simply saying he’s coaching these guys like they are getting paid.

There’s nothing more to it here though.

We’re getting coaches treating these guys like they are getting paid.

Welcome to the new era.