Texas lost to Kansas State, 75-70, on Monday night, their third loss to an unranked team in four games.
The Longhorns’ late season struggles are parallel to last season’s team, which after a 17-0 start and No. 1 ranking unraveled into a 7-10 record to close the season, ending with a first-round N.C.A.A. tournament loss.
“I would have cared 10 years ago,” he said of critics questioning his 19-18 N.C.A.A. tournament record. “This is not the most important thing in my life. It’s what I do, but it’s not the most important thing in my life.”
Barnes is more concerned with Texas’ breakdowns on both sides of the ball.
“Some of the breakdowns are baffling, to be honest with you,” Barnes said.
Leading scorer Jordan Hamilton has shot a combined 15-for-58 from the field in losses to Nebraska, Colorado, and Kansas State.