Saul Young

Former Tennessee players Bernard King, left, and Ernie Grunfeld greet the crowd at Thompson-Boling Arena Sunday as Tennessee retired Grunfeld's number during half time of Tennessee's game against Kentucky. Tennessee beat Kentucky 63-60 at Thompson-Boling Arena Sunday.

STORY TOOLS

• E-mail story
• Comments
• iPod friendly
• Printer friendly

More Men's Basketball

• The rap on Tyler Smith: it's all good
• Pearl says discomfort led to Tatum's knee surgery
• Get to know the new Vols: Renaldo Woolridge

Share and Enjoy [?]

Get Reprints

Want to use this article? Click here for options!

They are virtually inseparable in Tennessee basketball lore. Now their numbers will hang together forever in the rafters.

Ernie Grunfeld joined former 1970s teammate Bernard King as the second Vol to have his number retired Sunday at Thompson-Boling Arena.

Grunfeld's No. 22 was unveiled next to King's No. 53 that was retired last season.

"It's a very humbling experience,'' Grunfeld, 52, said before tip-off of the 63-60 win over Kentucky. "I spent four of the best years of my life here.''

Those years, 1973-77, were four of the best years for UT basketball as well.

Grunfeld left as the school's career scoring leader with 2,249 points, since eclipsed only by Allan Houston.

Grunfeld's wife, mother and daughter joined in the halftime ceremony, along with King and several other close friends, including Dana Mears, wife of the late coach Ray Mears. Grunfeld's son, Dan, is playing basketball in Spain.

"We feel like we helped put Tennessee on the national map,'' Grunfeld told the crowd of 21,268. "Tennessee basketball under the leadership of Bruce Pearl is back on the national map.''

Grunfeld ranked the ceremony with winning an Olympic gold medal with the U.S. team at the 1976 Olympic Games.

A couple of times during his talk to the crowd, he paused to hug King.

"For all of you that saw us play,'' Grunfeld said, "remember the excitement we tried to bring. And the attitude and the winning tradition we tried to bring this school.''

Judging from the ovations Sunday, the "Ernie & Bernie Show" is in no danger of being forgotten.

A number of Grunfeld's UT teammates were introduced during a second-half timeout.

Also in the house was Houston, whose 2,801 points 1989-93 are the UT standard and rank second-best ever in the SEC.

Lofton Day: While next Sunday's game against South Carolina will be Senior Day for UT's three seniors, Chris Lofton was feted Sunday.

A video of Lofton career highlights against Kentucky was shown prior to the game. At the end of the video, Lofton looked into the camera and said, "Thank you, Tennessee, for believing in me. Go Vols.''

Also, 408 "3" stickers were attached to the balcony ringing the upper deck, one for each of his SEC-career-leading 3-point baskets. He added No. 409 Sunday.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.