I don't recall that Sports Illustrated cover, however, I recall the Ernie and Bernie Show, because that phrase was catchy. I remember it during the 1976-7 season, when my beloved Marquette Warriors had the Butch and Bo Show.
It was during the tournament that year, when some friends and I were playing hoops and somebody asked about this Ernie and Bernie, and that's when I would never forget about the G-Man (Ernie Grunfeld) and the King (Bernard King).
Ernie Grunfeld was drafted by my hometown Milwaukee Bucks in June of '77, and he averaged about 10 points a game. Bernard King was one of the top three rookies that year with the then New York Nets.
Grunfeld played only two seasons with the Bucks, who had an opportunity to acquire Richard Washington from the Kansas City Kings for Grunfeld right before opening day in 1979-80. Grunfeld was very popular with the Milwaukee fans-especially the female fans-and I understand that many people were calling in to the sports stations complaining about giving up Grunfeld.
However, the frustration subsided when the Bucks got off to a 10-1 start that year. Grunfeld spent several more years in the NBA, also playing for his hometown Knicks. He then took a job with the Knicks, before coming back to Milwaukee in 1999, to become General Manager. I wished that the Bucks hadn't let him go, as he's now with Washington, who have turned things around with him as part of their team the past couple of years.
It was during the tournament that year, when some friends and I were playing hoops and somebody asked about this Ernie and Bernie, and that's when I would never forget about the G-Man (Ernie Grunfeld) and the King (Bernard King).
Ernie Grunfeld was drafted by my hometown Milwaukee Bucks in June of '77, and he averaged about 10 points a game. Bernard King was one of the top three rookies that year with the then New York Nets.
Grunfeld played only two seasons with the Bucks, who had an opportunity to acquire Richard Washington from the Kansas City Kings for Grunfeld right before opening day in 1979-80. Grunfeld was very popular with the Milwaukee fans-especially the female fans-and I understand that many people were calling in to the sports stations complaining about giving up Grunfeld.
However, the frustration subsided when the Bucks got off to a 10-1 start that year. Grunfeld spent several more years in the NBA, also playing for his hometown Knicks. He then took a job with the Knicks, before coming back to Milwaukee in 1999, to become General Manager. I wished that the Bucks hadn't let him go, as he's now with Washington, who have turned things around with him as part of their team the past couple of years.
i recall that cover and still very much recall ernie and bernie show..
along with dale ellis, gary cater, tony white..
alabama's reggie mule king.
the 78 kent nat champ team: macy, roby, givens, cowen.. dont remember the other starter..
LSU has scales and macklin, i think...
Vandy's: Mike Country Rhodes..
along with dale ellis, gary cater, tony white..
alabama's reggie mule king.
the 78 kent nat champ team: macy, roby, givens, cowen.. dont remember the other starter..
LSU has scales and macklin, i think...
Vandy's: Mike Country Rhodes..
They were the first basketball memories that i have. That is all the Tennessee basketball fans have to hang there hat on - its been 30 yrs and we still suck year in year out. They are brought up everyday on talk radio during b-ball season.
I remember Bernard got caught stealing TV's out of Stokely Athletic Center while he was in college here.
I remember Bernard got caught stealing TV's out of Stokely Athletic Center while he was in college here.
Funny this was brought up because Bruce Pearl, our new coach at TN has a connection to Ernie Grunfeld via his days with the Milwaukee Bucks front office. Love the old history, but TN Men's basketball needs some new milestones.
1977 NCAA Mideast Region
First Round
Tennessee (22-6) 88
Syracuse (26-3) 93
March 13, 1977 - 7:30 p.m. - Assembly Center - Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Syracuse posted a 93-88 overtime victory to put an end to the Bernie-Ernie Show at Tennessee.
Things looked good early for Tennessee as the Vols raced out to a 20-10 lead against a pressing Syracuse defense. But the Orangemen regained their composure and eventually tied the score at 32 with just under five minutes left in the first half.
Tennessee held strong though and an Ernie Grunfeld jumper put the Vols up eight at 47-39 with 17:51 left in the second half. Syracuse then staged a 14-2 run over the next five minutes to take a 53-49 advantage.
Syracuse then held a 78-74 lead with 1:31 left in the second half. But Reggie Johnson hit a short jumper and converted two free throws to tie the game. Larry Kelley's shot at the end of regulation could have won the game for the Orangemen but it was off the mark.
A Ross Kindel steal and lay-up gave Syracuse an 86-80 lead with 2:03 left in the overtime. Syracuse then hit 7-of-9 free throws in the final minute of the overtime to seal the victory.
"We didn't score when we needed to score," Tennessee coach Ray Mears said. "The break worked well early then went dry. Our game is based on King, Grunfeld and Jackson playing 40 minutes each. Maybe that is a fallacy. If you live by that idea, you die by it."
It certainly hurt the Vols as Grunfeld, Bernard King and Mike Jackson all watched the end of the game from the bench. Not helping matters were the 26 turnovers the Vols had.
Grunfeld led the Vols with 26 points and 12 rebounds, King tossed in 23 and also grabbed 12 rebounds. Reggie Johnson added 17 points and 10 rebounds.
"I hope what happened against Syracuse won't wash out the things we've done all year," King said. "It was a great year for me and the team."
NOTES: The 22 wins by the Vols set a school record at that time ... Tennessee won a share of the SEC championship along with Kentucky ... Syracuse was being coached by first-year coach Jim Boeheim ... Syracuse lost 81-59 to UNC-Charlotte in the Regional Semifinals to finish its season 26-4.
1976 NCAA East Region
First Round
Tennessee (21-6) 75
VMI (21-9) 81
March 13, 1976 - 7:30 p.m. - Charlotte Coliseum - Charlotte, North Carolina
VMI placed five players in double figures and shot a sizzling 66 percent from the field to upset the Volunteers 81-75 in the opening round of the NCAA tournament.
The Bernie was missing from the Ernie and Bernie Show in this game as Bernard King was out of action with an injured left thumb. Ernie Grunfeld held up his end of the show though as he poured in 36 points and grabbed eight rebounds.
"I'm not embarrassed that we lost to VMI," Grunfeld said. "I'm never embarrassed if we try and we tried hard. We just didn't get enough done. We can't let them shoot like that and expect to win."
Grunfeld scored 12 straight points for Tennessee to close the first half and the Vols had as much as a six-point lead during that stretch.
The scored stood tied at 60 with 5:42 left in the game when the Keydets reeled off eight unanswered points. Tennessee had three shots blocked during that stretch, and Dave Montgomery scored six of the eight points for VMI. Two free throws from Austin Clarke pulled to the Vols to within 70-67 with 2:08 remaining but the Vols could get no closer.
Tennessee coach Ray Mears made a move at halftime in hopes to give the Vols an emotional lift as King dressed out.
"We let him dress out to see if it would give us a mental lift," Mears said. "I wasn't about to play him. We were not going to risk his future. Most of you don't realize how much he means to us. We were just hoping to get through this first game."
Will Bynum led the Keydets with 20 points, followed by 19 from Ron Carter. John Krovic added 17, Curt Reppart tossed in 11, and Montgomery finished with 10.
Mike Jackson was the only other Vol in double figures with 14 points.
NOTES: VMI lost 91-75 to Rutgers in the Regional Semifinals.
1977 NCAA Mideast Region
First Round
Tennessee (22-6) 88
Syracuse (26-3) 93
March 13, 1977 - 7:30 p.m. - Assembly Center - Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Syracuse posted a 93-88 overtime victory to put an end to the Bernie-Ernie Show at Tennessee.
Things looked good early for Tennessee as the Vols raced out to a 20-10 lead against a pressing Syracuse defense. But the Orangemen regained their composure and eventually tied the score at 32 with just under five minutes left in the first half.
Tennessee held strong though and an Ernie Grunfeld jumper put the Vols up eight at 47-39 with 17:51 left in the second half. Syracuse then staged a 14-2 run over the next five minutes to take a 53-49 advantage.
Syracuse then held a 78-74 lead with 1:31 left in the second half. But Reggie Johnson hit a short jumper and converted two free throws to tie the game. Larry Kelley's shot at the end of regulation could have won the game for the Orangemen but it was off the mark.
A Ross Kindel steal and lay-up gave Syracuse an 86-80 lead with 2:03 left in the overtime. Syracuse then hit 7-of-9 free throws in the final minute of the overtime to seal the victory.
"We didn't score when we needed to score," Tennessee coach Ray Mears said. "The break worked well early then went dry. Our game is based on King, Grunfeld and Jackson playing 40 minutes each. Maybe that is a fallacy. If you live by that idea, you die by it."
It certainly hurt the Vols as Grunfeld, Bernard King and Mike Jackson all watched the end of the game from the bench. Not helping matters were the 26 turnovers the Vols had.
Grunfeld led the Vols with 26 points and 12 rebounds, King tossed in 23 and also grabbed 12 rebounds. Reggie Johnson added 17 points and 10 rebounds.
"I hope what happened against Syracuse won't wash out the things we've done all year," King said. "It was a great year for me and the team."
NOTES: The 22 wins by the Vols set a school record at that time ... Tennessee won a share of the SEC championship along with Kentucky ... Syracuse was being coached by first-year coach Jim Boeheim ... Syracuse lost 81-59 to UNC-Charlotte in the Regional Semifinals to finish its season 26-4.
1976 NCAA East Region
First Round
Tennessee (21-6) 75
VMI (21-9) 81
March 13, 1976 - 7:30 p.m. - Charlotte Coliseum - Charlotte, North Carolina
VMI placed five players in double figures and shot a sizzling 66 percent from the field to upset the Volunteers 81-75 in the opening round of the NCAA tournament.
The Bernie was missing from the Ernie and Bernie Show in this game as Bernard King was out of action with an injured left thumb. Ernie Grunfeld held up his end of the show though as he poured in 36 points and grabbed eight rebounds.
"I'm not embarrassed that we lost to VMI," Grunfeld said. "I'm never embarrassed if we try and we tried hard. We just didn't get enough done. We can't let them shoot like that and expect to win."
Grunfeld scored 12 straight points for Tennessee to close the first half and the Vols had as much as a six-point lead during that stretch.
The scored stood tied at 60 with 5:42 left in the game when the Keydets reeled off eight unanswered points. Tennessee had three shots blocked during that stretch, and Dave Montgomery scored six of the eight points for VMI. Two free throws from Austin Clarke pulled to the Vols to within 70-67 with 2:08 remaining but the Vols could get no closer.
Tennessee coach Ray Mears made a move at halftime in hopes to give the Vols an emotional lift as King dressed out.
"We let him dress out to see if it would give us a mental lift," Mears said. "I wasn't about to play him. We were not going to risk his future. Most of you don't realize how much he means to us. We were just hoping to get through this first game."
Will Bynum led the Keydets with 20 points, followed by 19 from Ron Carter. John Krovic added 17, Curt Reppart tossed in 11, and Montgomery finished with 10.
Mike Jackson was the only other Vol in double figures with 14 points.
NOTES: VMI lost 91-75 to Rutgers in the Regional Semifinals.
Gentlemen I played against both in HS..They were great then..They both grew up in BKLYN..NY..Ernie played at Forest Hills in Queens and King played at Ft. Hamilton in BKLYN..
I honestly thought Ernie the better player in HS..He was a manchild and played center..Scored at will..
King was a swingman and extremely skinny at this time..Was a player but later developed into the scoring machine he became with the Knicks..
Bernards brother Albert was also a great player..
In NY then there was a HS player I thought to be better than both of them..His name was Phil Sellers and he went to Jefferson HS..Played at Rutgers during that 1977 run they had in the NCAAs..
Great players..great memories..
I think when we played King I held him at home to 38 the first half..All I saw all game was the bottom of his sneakers as I looked up..LOL
I honestly thought Ernie the better player in HS..He was a manchild and played center..Scored at will..
King was a swingman and extremely skinny at this time..Was a player but later developed into the scoring machine he became with the Knicks..
Bernards brother Albert was also a great player..
In NY then there was a HS player I thought to be better than both of them..His name was Phil Sellers and he went to Jefferson HS..Played at Rutgers during that 1977 run they had in the NCAAs..
Great players..great memories..
I think when we played King I held him at home to 38 the first half..All I saw all game was the bottom of his sneakers as I looked up..LOL
