It looks like Bernard King got a big kick out of Tennessee taking down No. 4 Kentucky on Tuesday night.
The former Tennessee legend was seen smiling and laughing in the final seconds as the Vols held off the Wildcats, 82-80, on their home court.
With Kentucky’s loss, three of the top four teams in the new AP poll fell on the same night. No. 1 Villanova went down to Marquette and No. 2 Kansas lost at West Virginia. It marked the first time since 1979 that 1, 2 and 4 all lost on the same day.
The former Knicks star addressed the current Volunteers before the game, and Brent Musberger reminded viewers on ESPN of how a Kentucky fan reportedly threw a lit cigarette on King the first time he played in Lexington and he vowed he would never again lose to Kentucky.
From Tennessee’s game notes provided by the Vols’ sports information department:
“As Bernard King walked off the court at Memorial Gym after a deflating 88-82 loss on Jan. 13, 1975, a Kentucky fan flipped a lit cigarette into the Tennessee legend’s hair. Outraged, King vowed he would never lose to Kentucky again. He vigorously carried out that promise, finishing his career 5-1 against the Wildcats.”
Kentucky will host No. 2 Kansas on Saturday — with both teams coming off road losses. Photo: ESPN Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter And like ZAGS on Facebook