| Knoxville News Sentinel
Tennessee Vols men’s basketball coach Rick Barnes and South Carolina Gamecocks coach Frank Martin each wore a towel slung over their shoulders during Wednesday’s men’s basketball game.
It was to remember former Georgetown coach John Thompson Jr., who died on August 30, 2020.
Thompson was known for wearing a towel over his shoulder during games.
The National Association of Basketball Coaches distributed towels with Thompson’s image for coaches to use. The NABC encouraged coaches to use towels during the week beginning February 15.
“John Thompson was an icon in our profession and we wanted to make sure that his legacy was celebrated prominently this season,” said NABC executive director Craig Robinson in a press release. “Big John has not only achieved the highest levels of success as a coach during his career, but has also paved the way for fairer opportunities for countless student-athletes and black coaches – myself included.”
Thompson was the coach of Georgetown from 1972-99. He led Hoyas to the 1984 NCAA National Championship, along with the final four trips in 1982 and 1985.
Tennessee Vols, ranked 20th in the Ferris Mowers Men’s Basketball Coaches Survey, enters the clash 14-5 overall and 7-5 in the SEC. More recently, LSU beat Tennessee 78-65 on Saturday.
South Carolina Gamecocks come into play 5-9 overall and 3-7 in the SEC. On Saturday, Ole Miss beat South Carolina 81-74.
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Coming in on Wednesday, Tennessee leads the all-time series 47-28 against South Carolina.
Erik Hall is the leading digital sports producer on the USA Today Network. You can find him on Twitter @HallErik.