Ernie-Bernie question

[cbrown]

I wasn't old enough to follow TN basketball until the mid 80s, but I've always heard how incredible the Ernie-Bernie years were (both 1st team AA and all that). I have a question for those of you who remember those years. Because of Tennessee's lack of NCAA tournament appearances/success during that time, would you consider it the most underachieving era in TN basketball? I realize only 32 teams made the tournament during those years, but I would have expected more.

 

[VOLnMiami]

Something bad always happened to Tennessee during that time...One year Bernie cut his hand really bad but played anyways...Seems like there was just a dark cloud hanging over UT basketball when it came tournament time in those days...UT was one of the favorites to win it all during that time along with UCLA who very few teams were beating in those days...To tell people about those days isn't the same as being there honestly, It was an incredible time and you really had to see those teams to believe it, They were nothing short of amazing.

 

[Freak]

I believe you also had to win your conference to be invited to the tournament back then.

 

[fergie]

There were very few at large bids and in '77 we got shafted having to go against Syracuse in the first round. It was totally different than it is today, but as some have said we had injuries and things happen at tourney time that kept us from going deep into the tourney.

 

[cpavol]

Only the 1977 team underachieved in the NCAA because it did not play with a sense of urgency in the first round against Syracuse.

If Bernard King had not been injured (he did not play in the NCAA game against VMI) in 1976, I believe that team would have made it to at least the Elite Eight. We lost to VMI, which advanced to the Elite Eight against Rutgers.

The SEC was loaded in 1975, 1976, and 1977. Alabama, Kentucky, and Tennessee were the best teams in the league during those years. Alabama was the only team to seriously threaten Indiana in the 1976 NCAA tournament, losing in the Sweet Sixteen. Kentucky was national runnerup in 1975 and lost in the Elite Eight to UNC in 1977.

 

[ZZ13]

King hurt his finger or thumb (can't remember which) in practice the week before the VMI game in 1976 and didn't play. VMI shot 66% from the floor, all from what would now be 3-point range. When it became apparent we were in deep trouble late in the game Mears sent King into the locker room to change out of his street clothes into his uniform and then brought him back to the bench as a pyschological ploy. He never went in and we lost. It was one of the most painful games as a fan to watch. It was like watching a rec league team beat us.

Against Syracuse the next year we rolled to an easy early 10 point lead and then decided it would be a cake walk. We ended up losing in overtime. King fouled out in regulation and didn't play in overtime. Then I believe Grunfeld also fouled out during overtime (I am not 100% sure of that). I believe it was Louis Orr who tore us up during that game and I believe he was only a freshman that year. I am pretty sure it was Jim Boeheim's first year as Syracuse coach.

 

[VOLnMiami]

King hurt his finger or thumb (can't remember which) in practice the week before the VMI game in 1976 and didn't play. VMI shot 66% from the floor, all from what would now be 3-point range. When it became apparent we were in deep trouble late in the game Mears sent King into the locker room to change out of his street clothes into his uniform and then brought him back to the bench as a pyschological ploy. He never went in and we lost. It was one of the most painful games as a fan to watch. It was like watching a rec league team beat us.

Against Syracuse the next year we rolled to an easy early 10 point lead and then decided it would be a cake walk. We ended up losing in overtime. King fouled out in regulation and didn't play in overtime. Then I believe Grunfeld also fouled out during overtime (I am not 100% sure of that). I believe it was Louis Orr who tore us up during that game and I believe he was only a freshman that year. I am pretty sure it was Jim Boeheim's first year as Syracuse coach.

Your right, We did have a 10 point lead on Cuse and King fouled out and Grunfeld fouled out early in OT...Hell of a game and Orr was almost unstoppable like You said...Lot of heartbreaking games in those days but UT was insane to watch back then.

 

[jaxvol]

I was in school during the E/B show and when I look back I can't believe we had such poor results in the NCAA.

I've never seen an SEC team since that time with two such dominate players.

 

[truefan]

Something bad always happened to Tennessee during that time...One year Bernie cut his hand really bad but played anyways...Seems like there was just a dark cloud hanging over UT basketball when it came tournament time in those days...UT was one of the favorites to win it all during that time along with UCLA who very few teams were beating in those days...To tell people about those days isn't the same as being there honestly, It was an incredible time and you really had to see those teams to believe it, They were nothing short of amazing.

NO, he didn't play. He sat out in the first round game against VMI with a hurt thumb. Didn't play a minute of the game. Doug Ashworth missed a layup with about 10 seconds left that cost them the game

 

[VOLnMiami]

NO, he didn't play. He sat out in the first round game against VMI with a hurt thumb. Didn't play a minute of the game. Doug Ashworth missed a layup with about 10 seconds left that cost them the game

You are correct...Been 32 years so the memory might be a bit foggy lol

 

[TennFan]

While the Ernie/Bernie show was the best duo during their tenure (they averaged 25 ppg each), there was always something that kept the Vols from making the NCAA tourney. When they did they only got through to the 2nd round. It's a tough year for both the Lady Vols and the men's team as Pat has a young team this season. The current in coming freshman class is probably the best and within 2 years the lady Vols should be a "Final 4!"
GO VOLS!