INDIANAPOLIS — When Tennessee basketball has its starters announced before NCAA Tournament games, the Vols don't move.

Unlike most teams who go one-by-one down the list of the first five, performing handshakes and taking advantage of the spotlight, Tennessee stays in its pregame huddle.

There's a reason Vols coach Rick Barnes has opted to do this.

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For every game, outside of the lone match both Zakai Zeigler and Igor Milicic Jr. missed, the starting five for Tennessee has remained the same.

However, Barnes believes there are at least six starting-caliber players on his roster. With just one start under his belt, six-man Jordan Gainey is as important of a piece you can find across the country.

Because of this, Barnes keeps his group huddled to discuss the last-minute game plan. He wants it to be known that Gainey is essentially a sixth starter despite his name not being announced.

"I think one of the biggest compliments that Jordan should get, when we're on the road or someplace like this, and they introduce the players, we never come out because we don't consider that we've got just five starters," Barnes said. "We consider him a starter, and that's a tradition we've had all year. Our motto has been "it's not about me". So, again, we don't go out. They stay together, work together, sweat together. Jordan, you know, he's a starter. He's as much a starter as anybody, and we've had teams deeper than that, but I'm glad he's with us."

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In Tennessee's most recent win over Kentucky to punch a ticket to back-to-back Elite Eights, Gainey produced 16 points on 50% shooting from the field. When the Vols needed a response, he was consistently one of the players to answer the call.

This is the type of impact Gainey makes on games.

Tennessee's roster and staff are ready for others to take notice outside the program, as well.

"I feel like he's is a real good basketball player and I feel like he gets slept on a lot," Vols starting point guard Zakai Zeigler said. "He's putting in the work and you can see it pays off. For him coming off the bench, it's important for us coming off the bench because he can bring that fire when we need it. With him on the team, it makes our team a little more -- you know taking out -- every time we try to take out Chaz, we have JG on the line making plays."

Gainey didn't start his career at Tennessee, though. He is in his second and final year with the Vols after transferring in form USC Upstate. It was former Barnes players Lamonte Turner and Jordan Bowden that helped bring him to Knoxville, though.

The pair worked out with Gainey and told Barnes if he ever entered the portal, it was a guy he had to get.

Having Gainey's dad, Justin Gainey, on the staff as an assistant coach certainly helped the recruiting pitch, as well.

"I really appreciate a number of years ago when Lamonte Turner and Jordan Bowden said if he decides to transfer, he's one of us," Barnes said. "And what he's been able to do in two years is really a compliment to who he is. His dad is on the staff, and if you have been around his family, you know what he's about and it's never been about him. All he's wanted to do was play his role and he's done it as well as anyone can do it."

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