Ernie and Bernie Show

The three basketball seasons in 1974–77 when Ernie Grunfeld and Bernard King played for Tennessee were nationally known as the Ernie and Bernie Show and made Tennessee basketball household words. Ernie Grunfeld, from Forest Hills, New York, and Bernard King, from Brooklyn, New York, were recruited in 1973 and 1974, respectively, by Assistant Coach Stu Aberdeen. Grunfeld—a six-foot six-inch wing who could move to the post when needed, and King—a brilliant post player who played only three seasons before turning pro—led the Vols to a 61-20 record during their three seasons together. The Vols made two NCAA tournament appearances and won one SEC championship in 1977. Sports Illustrated ran a cover picture of them with the legend “Double Trouble from Tennessee.”