The University of Tennessee men’s basketball team made an impressive run to the Elite Eight this March—but according to head coach Rick Barnes and several players, their success wasn’t just about talent or strategy. It was about something deeper: faith in Jesus Christ.

Following Tennessee’s Sweet 16 victory over Iowa State, Barnes didn’t hesitate to share what matters most to him when asked about his openness about faith. “I’m at a stage in my life where … that’s really the most important thing in my life,” the 71-year-old said. “I’ve learned a lot more through the rearview mirror than I have looking forward. I wish at their age, I would have gone deep in, much, much deeper into a relationship with Jesus Christ.”

For more than a decade, Barnes has helped shape a team culture where faith plays a visible and meaningful role. He shared that the program regularly hosts “power talks” before games in partnership with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes—short Gospel-centered messages tied to life and basketball.

“I really took that to heart,” Barnes said, referencing a quote from Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee: “There’s very few things in life that matter, we should be about them.” Barnes added, “To me, the most important thing is to love God with all my heart, soul and mind.”

That mindset appears to have taken root among his players.

Freshman forward Nate Ament said Barnes’ faith was a major reason he chose Tennessee. “I think when, as a team, you’re trying to glorify something bigger than yourself and ultimately something that is … Jesus Christ and is God … can only lead to good things,” he explained.

Ament emphasized that playing for a higher purpose changes everything. “When you’re playing for something other than your own glory … the glory of your teammates, the glory of Christ … only good things can happen from there if you’re being selfless and trying to take care of each other.”

Sophomore guard Bishop Boswell echoed that sentiment, pointing to the team’s shared spiritual practices—like praying before and after games—as a unifying force. He described the locker room as “a safe space for everybody” and said the team’s faith conversations help bring perspective both on and off the court.

“He’s the reason we’re here in the Elite Eight and hopefully … we can get even further,” Boswell said, referring to God’s role in their journey.

Even players from different faith backgrounds have embraced the team’s culture. Sophomore guard Ethan Burg, who is Jewish and was born in Israel, said he appreciates being part of the team’s spiritual rhythm. “I enjoy taking part in this. I think it’s a beautiful tradition, I feel like it brings us together,” Burg said, calling the team’s camaraderie “beautiful.”

For Ament, the foundation of the team’s confidence is rooted in identity—not performance. “Good performance, bad performance, win or loss … Jesus is always there for you,” he said. “Your worth isn’t in how you play as a basketball player, but it’s … what Christ has done for you and … you’re a child of His.”

That perspective, he added, allows the team to play freely and with purpose. “It’s not just a win or loss but just to play so we can glorify Him.”

Tennessee’s tournament run came to an end with a loss to Michigan, but for this team, the bigger story goes beyond the scoreboard. It’s about a group of players united not just by basketball—but by a shared faith that shaped how they played, how they supported one another, and how they defined success.