Tennessee planned to retire Ernie Grunfeld’s jersey at halftime on Sunday.
Before the game, Grunfeld held a news conference to reflect on the honor. He called it a “humbling experience.”
A reporter noted that his ex-teammate, Bernard King, had his jersey retired at halftime of Tennessee’s home game against Kentucky last season.
“The biggest rivalry is between Tennessee and Kentucky,” Grunfeld said. “When you beat Kentucky, you earn your victory.”
Grunfeld noted that Tennessee won six of eight games against Kentucky when he played.
Jerry Tipton of the Lexington Herald- Leader has covered Kentucky basketball since the 1981-82 season. That time includes five coaches, five Final Fours, four athletic directors, two interim athletic directors and many memories. Before coming to Lexington, Tipton worked eight years for the Huntington (W.Va.) Herald-Dispatch. He covered Marshall’s basketball team for two seasons before coming to the Herald-Leader.
It is amazing that with all the great uk moments and the two I am most proud of are loses. ‘92 and now this game. And to think we get accused of being to ruff on our teams. All we want is a supreme effert every night. When we know we have given our best we are more than willing to except that loss no mater how bad it hurts. We hate to lose but all we ask for is the players and coaches to give their best no matter what and then we will love you forever. That’s what makes the unforgettables so unfogettable. This team has cemented itself as one of the most loved uk teams ever. Proving we as UK fans will except loses but not losers. These guys have lost more games than we like but they are truely winners.