UK Football: GOTW: Ky Vs. Bama (1997) **1st win in 75 yrs.**

Blueworldorder
WT Administrator

1997 - College Football - Kentucky Vs. Alabama OT (1st UK win over Bama in 75 years!!!!!)

The Next Game Up in our Series in the Game of the Week is the Stunning Overtime Victory of Alabama 40-34. It was the First Victory over Alabama in 75 years. This was also known as "The Goal Post Game". So Relive this memorable game from 1997 now available for download in our Wildcat Vault Forum this game download is located in our UK Football Games Forum-link.

Thanks,
WT Staff

COLLEGE FOOTBALL; After 75 Years, Kentucky Knocks Off Alabama
Published: Sunday, October 5, 1997

It took 75 years and one overtime for Kentucky to finally beat Alabama.

Tim Couch completed a 26-yard touchdown pass to Craig Yeast in overtime as Kentucky stunned Alabama (No. 20 in the Associated Press poll), 40-34, last night in Lexington, Ky.

''This can't be put into words,'' Kentucky linebacker Bob Holmberg said. ''The state of Kentucky is on a high for the first time in 15 years. This is just unbelievable. We never quit. The coaches didn't have to urge us on.''

On third-and-11 at the 26, Yeast caught a pass at the 10 and dashed to the end zone.

Kentucky (3-2, 1-2 Southeastern Conference) recorded just its second victory over Alabama (3-2, 1-2) in the 34-game series.

''We are extremely disappointed in the outcome and the performance,'' Alabama Coach Mike DuBose said. ''We made way too many mistakes to go on the road and win a football game.''

Kentucky took a 34-31 lead when Anwar Stewart returned a blocked field goal 68 yards for a score with 6 minutes 54 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.

Game Writeup Courtsey of The New York Times

The Legend: Coach Adolph 'The Baron' Rupp

Coach Adolph F. "The Baron" Rupp
Sept. 2, 1901 - Dec.10, 1977

• Overall Kentucky Record: 876-190
• Years Coached UK: 1930-31 to 1971-72 (41 seasons)
• Hometown: Halstead, Ks.
• Alma Mater: Kansas (1923)
• 4 NCAA Titles 1948,1949,1951,1958
• 6 Final Fours
• 1 NIT Title 1946
• 1948 US Olympic Gold Medal
• 6 Helms National Titles
• 27 SEC Regular Season Titles
• 13 SEC Tourney Titles
• 5 Sugar Bowl Tournament Championships
• 4 Time National Coach of the Year
• Named Coach of the Century
• Enshrined into the Basketball Hall of Fame as a Coach on April 13, 1969
  

THE ADOLPH RUPP LEGACY
In order to understand the Rupp legacy, the true meaning of Rupp to UK basketball, it’s important to go back to 1930. For anyone living at that time……there was no UK tradition in basketball…..no banners hanging anywhere in Alumni Gym. Then there arrived a new UK coach…..a 29 yr old young man who had played under the great

‘Phog” Allen at Kansas…..also, while at Kansas young Adolph had known Allen’s former coach…..none other then the inventor of the game of basketball, James Naismith.

Think of it, Adolph’s roots and knowledge of basketball can be traced to the inventor of the game of basketball! So, 1930 was a very special year in UK basketball as it represents the very beginning of UK’s tradition. Rupp immediately started winning at UK and UK was the Helms National Champion in his 3rd year with a 21-3 record. As the years passed from the 1930’s to the 1940’s…..UK basketball was achieving great things nationally with back to back NCAA championships occurring in 1947-48 and 1948-1949.

I was never fortunate enough to see the great Fabulous Five teams of the late 40’s nor did I ever see a game in Alumni Gym. My first encounter with UK basketball was in the early 50’s….I sold cokes and hot dogs in Memorial Coliseum and watched the great Hagan, Ramsay teams. One year I had season tickets and I was hooked…..UK basketball was in my blood. I remember with awe as I watched the Cats warm up drills……the crisp passing….the players cutting to the basket. The drills were well designed and the players executed them flawlessly as Rupp and Harry Lancaster watched from the sidelines. It was a thrill to watch them in action. For those of us who were fortunate enough to have watched the Cats play in Memorial Coliseum…..well it was so very special…..it was an incredible home court advantage……the crowds were magnificient. My memories go back to when at halftime and you went to the concourse….the smoke was so thick, with nearly everyone smoking, that your eyes burned and you could hardly see at times. That I don’t miss! A few years ago my wife and I were in Lexington and went to the UK scrimmage…..it had been many years since I had been in Memorial Coliseum and it brought back so many fond memories.

As the record books reveal, Adolph Rupp laid the foundation for UK basketball success from the very moment he arrived as coach in 1930 and year after year….decade after decade……Rupp built the UK program into a national juggernaut. Rupp’s accomplishment over a 42 year coaching career are truly incredible. A record of 876-190 for an amazing 82% winning %…..4 NCAA championships…..6 Final Fours….1 NIT championship( when winning the NIT was a very important achievement)…..1948 US Olympic Gold Medal…..6 Helms National titles……27 SEC championships (think of it….winning 27 out of 42 SEC championships)…..13 SEC Tourney titles……5 Sugar Bowl Championships…..a lot of UKIT Championships…..4 time National Coach of the Year.

Now much has been written regarding Adolph Rupp the coach and the man. As former players have said, Adolph was a very tough coach, very demanding and not always well liked….but, Rupp the coach was highly respected. His practices are said to have been like military boot camp. There is no question as to how well prepared and well conditioned UK teams were during the Rupp era. Rupp was obviously very passionate about winning and hated losing. It was this great passion for making UK basketball teams the very best they could be on the court…..his great attention to detail……the fact that Rupp teams were always extremely well schooled in the fundamentals of basketball and played tough man to man defense while playing the legendary fast break basketball that produced the great UK winning tradition. I would be remiss if I didn’t comment on what a great assistant coach Harry Lancaster was at UK and how important he was over many years to the success of the UK program. Throughout the Rupp era…..UK fans were blessed with many great and exciting teams. My oh my….the great players under Rupp were countless. Rupp knew talent and how to mold that talent. I never heard Rupp talk about his favorite team or teams….I’m sure he felt affection for all of them. However, I always had a feeling that the1966 team, Rupp’s Runts, were very dear to his heart. I’m sure the loss in the 1966 championship game was extremely painful to Rupp….not only because of his affection for them…..but, because he knew his career was nearing an end and he wanted to win another NCAA championship so very much.

One subject I am hesitant to bring up, but because it has been written about so often in recent years, I feel I must give my opinion. The issue of racism charges against Rupp. Jon Scott on his website gives a great deal of information regarding this subject for those who want to look further into this subject. My opinion, and I feel very strongly about this issue, is that Adolph Rupp was not a racist. Many former players such as Pat Riley, Larry Conley and others have said that they were not aware of any racist comments or attitudes from Rupp. Interestingly, all those who knew Rupp, whether it be former players or other coaches, such as Red Auerbach, saw nothing or heard nothing from Rupp to justify these racist charges. The racist charges have almost entirely come from columnists who never knew Rupp and only passed on false information from others who obviously had an agenda. As Larry Conley said…..UK had played a Michigan team with 4 black starters and had played other teams with black players. At the time the Texas Western game was played it was never looked upon by either team as 5 whites playing 5 blacks…….it was simply two great teams playing for the NCAA championship. Twenty five years later or thereabouts…..we start getting all these articles about the racial significance of the game……which I feel was totally false. In fact Loyola of Chicago had a mostly black team, I believe 4 starters, a few years earlier in the NCAA championship game. UK was obviously not the only all white team….as we all know if Duke had beaten UK then an all white Duke team would have faced Texas Western. The simple fact is that UK competed in the SEC and had to travel in the deep South were black players would not have been allowed in hotels or restaurants with the team…..Rupp knew they would face hostility…..it was a sad time in US history. Now I understand that some people can say “Well Rupp should have been more proactive in recruiting black players and led the way”. Maybe so, but there is a big difference between being proactive and being a racist! However, I truly feel he was worried about the safety of taking black players into the deep South. It saddens me to see the image of this great coach soiled by blatant lies and misinformation. Rupp was not a racist!

Rupp, like all of us, had flaws….he was far from perfect…..but, he was the coach who built the rock that the UK program sits on today. His coaching achievements are staggering. Now as the years fade from Rupp’s tenure as coach, more and more UK fans only know the name….not the man. As we all reflect on how and why we became UK fans……the vast majority of fans say because of my dad, grandfather, uncle or another loved one who passed on their love for UK basketball. My point is that the root of this love and passion for UK basketball can easily be traced back to one man……Adolph Rupp! However, it’s important to never forget that Adolph Rupp not only built the foundation, the corner stone if you will, of UK basketball success…..but his great success has made every coach who followed Rupp very much aware of the high expectations associated with being the coach of UK. From Joe B Hall on….every coach has been aware that UK basketball is very special and that they have the great responsibility of maintaining the greatness that Rupp built. Fortunately, UK has been blessed, for the most part, with coaches who have added to the Rupp Rock of UK basketball with additional NCAA championships.

Importantly, Rupp’s basketball legacy reaches far beyond UK basketball. Rupp had a huge influence on SEC basketball….forcing SEC schools to place greater emphasis on their basketball programs if they were to be competitive against UK. Always recognized as a football conference, the SEC made very positive strides forward in their basketball programs during the Rupp era. Of course, Rupp’s influence and legacy was national in it’s impact….many coaches throughout the nation were positively influenced from Rupp’s teachings. Rupp was always recognized as one of the all time greatest coaches. In addition, we have witnessed a number of former UK players under Rupp achieve past success in pro ball and many achieved successful careers in many fields. I’m sure the vast majority of these former players would point to their careers under Rupp as playing no small part in their success.

Adolph Rupp passed away nearly 30 years ago……I would hope that UK fans in the future would make sure they pass along to their sons and daughters exactly just how much Adolph Rupp meant to UK basketball.....make certain they know who is responsible for their love of UK basketball. Time marches on…….lest we never forget the great legacy of Adolph Rupp. UK fans….take pride when you walk in Rupp Arena……Thank you Coach Rupp....thank you for making all UK fans so very proud of UK basketball and may we carry that wonderful passion for UK basketball, as you did, forever in our hearts!

Written by: Lwcat WT Staff

For more articles on:

Coach Adolph Rupp Click Here

Adolph F. Rupp Dies; Tribute for Renowed Coach Scheduled For Tonite (Link)

RUPP: FACT AND FICTION-(LONG)

RUPP SAID IT(Link)

Coach Rupp was known for his colorful comments on and off the court.

Coach Rupp Quotes

Rupp on winning
"I know I have plenty of enemies, but I'd rather be the most-hated winning coach in the country than the most-popular losing one."

Rupp on Recruiting, referring to the top of the door frame to his office
"If they don't bump their heads when they come in, I don't even bother shaking their hands."

Rupp on Dedication
"I don't care if your girlfriend leaves you or your pet rabbit dies. I just care that you produce for me on the basketball court."

Rupp on Opposing Fans
"The fans are real bad some places we play down south. They're worse than anywhere at Mississippi State. The last time we played down there, they'd put a dead skunk under my bench. I know boys will be boys. But most idiots be idiots?"

Rupp on the Media
"You darned sportswriters are all alike. Every time I come to Georgia, you misqoute me in the papers. You get the fans riled up with lies, and then they come out and boo me."

Rupp on Retirement
"If they don't let me coach, they might as well take me to the Lexinton cemetery."

More Rupp Qoutes
"I see no reason to end the basketball just so some of these schools can start spring football early...Someday they are going to wake up and realize that basketball is here to stay."

"If it doesn't matter wheather you win or lose, why do they keep score? I'm not engaged in a popularity contest, I want to win!"

"When a Kentucky baby is born his mother wants him to be president, like another Kentuckian,Abraham Lincoln. If not president, she wants him to play basketball for the University of Kentucky."

"I see no reason to end the basketball season just so some of these schools can start spring football practice early...Someday they are going to wake up and realize that basketball is here to stay."

VICTORY PINS

Adolph Rupp was famously superstitious: The lucky brown suit and all. But one his prime superstitions was bobby pins. He believed if he could find one on the day of a game, Kentucky would win. Sometimes, his players tried to make sure coach found one. Before UK played in the 1958 Final Four in Freedom Hall, Vernon Hatton says he and Ed Beck dropped "eight or nine packages of bobby pins" in a area where Rupp was sure to find them. He did. "My gawd, boys," Hatton minics Rupp saying, " I don't even think we have to take the court tonight." Another time, Hatton says the Wildcats were in Gainsville, Fla., when they noticed their coach following closely behind an attractive blonde coed. To their amazement, the players heard their coach mouthing the words, "Shake it. C'mon, shake it." they were stunned. Says Hatton: "We were thinking, 'Why, you dirty old...'" Then the players realized what Rupp wanted shaken. A black bobby pin was about to fall from the women's long hair. If it did, in Rupp's world, it ensured a UK win.

Rupp as a college student

Rupp in Kansas Uniform



Coach Rupp on cover of Sports Illustrated

1960's Rupp in Sports Illustrated

1966 Kentucky Team NCAA Runner-Up
(From left) Larry Conley, Coach Adolph Rupp, Tom Kron, Thad Jaracz, Pat Riley and Louie Dampier after UK defeated Michigan 84-77 in the quarterfinals of the 1966 NCAA Tournament. "Rupp´s Runts" - as the team was commonly known - went on to defeat Duke in the semifinals before losing 72-65 to Texas Western in the NCAA championship game.

1968 Casey,Issel,Coach Rupp & Pratt

Rupp signs Payne
Coach Adolph Rupp (second from left) and UK assistant coach Joe B. Hall (right) watched as Tom Payne prepared to sign with the Cats and become the first black player in the history of the program in 1969. Payne averaged 16.9 points and 10.1 rebounds per game during his sophomore season before leaving UK for the pros.

1972 Coach Rupp's Last Year at Kentucky

1972 Rupp's Last Home Game

"Rupp heading to Locker room for his last pre-game chat at Memorial Coliseum prior to the Auburn game in 1972. UK won 102-67."

1972 Rupp waves Farewell to UK Fans

Rupp's Last Walk - AUTOGRAPH

"Blue Kentucky Thunder"

Coach Rupp's Grave
Adolph Rupp died Dec. 10, 1977, while the team he coached for 41 seasons was on its way to a 73-66 victory in Lawrence, Kan., playing in an arena named for the UK coach's mentor, against the school where he spent four years learning about basketball and life. "Daddy picked out that spot," says Rupp's son, Adolph "Herky" Rupp II. "His longtime assistant, Harry Lancaster, also is buried just a few feet away, which is fitting. "Daddy loved that spot because of a big tree there -- a big, shady oak tree.

Bill 'Mr. Wildcat' Keightley Tribute

William "Mr. Wildcat" Bond Keightley
Dec. 17, 1926 - March 31, 2008

Well, I don't know how much legacy I can leave, I know one thing, I know what a legend is. It's a man in the twilight of a very ordinary career...when I leave this Earth I think I'll have it inscribed upon my monument "To be continued..." - Bill Keightley

Bill Keightley...."Mr Wildcat" A UK Treasure!

It is a rarity for any sports program to have any individual remain with the program for decades. Coaches and staffs come and go!

However, now with UK welcoming Billy Gillispie as it's new head coach along with a new staff.....it's good to reflect on an individual in the UK basketball program that has survived and thrived through all the coaching changes.

I'm, of course, referring to Bill Keightley...the equipment manager. Bill first came aboard the UK basketball program in 1962 under the legendary coach Rupp. Since then Bill has worked under Coach Hall, Coach Sutton, Coach Pitino, Coach Smith and now Coach Gillispie. This is truly an amazing record.......45 years as equipment manager under 5 UK coaches. Now, we all know that employees don't remain this long with any organization unless thay have been outstanding. Yes, Bill Keightley has been outstanding and much more. Bill has enjoyed wonderful relationships with all the coaches and players. Certainly, Bill's title as equipment manager doesn't begin to do justice to the many wonderful contributions he has made over these many years to the UK program. One can only guess at all the wise advice and help that Bill has given to UK coaches and players over these many years!

As a UK fan, and I'm sure I speak for all UK fans, seeing Bill Keightley sitting on the UK bench gives me a sense of pride knowing all that he has meant to the UK program over these many years. Certainly, the UK program did itself proud when it honored Bill Keightley with a retired jersey in his honor in 1997. Bill, along with UK's beloved Cawood Ledford are the only non coaches or non players so honored.

I know Cat fans are all excited about next year with our new coach and staff, but Cat fans will be most happy and grateful that one individual still remains on the UK bench......"Mr Wildcat".

A sincere thanks to Bill Keightley for all he has meant to the UK programs over these many years. Bill, you are loved and respected by all UK fans.....best wishes for many more years as "Mr Wildcat"!

Sadly since I wrote this article on Bill Keightley...."Mr. Wildcat" has passed away. I had the honor of personally meeting Bill Keightley while touring the new UK practice facility last September. Bill was warm and friendly as we chatted about some of UK's past players. I had my picture taken with Bill as did many others who loved seeing Mr. Wildcat up close and personal. It was easy to see that Bill was very proud of the new UK practice facility and thoroughly enjoyed meeting and talking to Big Blue fans.

As we all know, Bill never scored a point or grabbed a rebound at UK, but his influence and impact on the UK program over many decades was very significant. As we read the many comments and condolences from former coaches and players, it is clear that Bill was like a father figure....giving wisdom and support while being a great friend to all. Even in his short tenure at UK, Coach Gillispie called Bill is very good friend and is obviously very saddened, as all in the UK family, are at Bill's sudden passing. Bill Keightley was respected and loved by all who met him......he was a wonderful person.....and I am so glad that I was fortunate enough to have met him in person!

Bill Keightley was a wonderful bridge to UKs past history.....going back to Coach Rupp. Now "Mr. Wildcat" will join Coach Rupp and Cawood Ledford and cheer for the Cats from a higher bench. UK and it's fans have lost a beloved member of the UK family....we will all greatly miss "Mr. Wildcat" and all he has meant to the UK program over these many years. Our prayers and condolences go out to the Keightley family.

Written by: Lwcat WT Staff

To read more great articles and stories on Bill 'Mr. Wildcat' Keightley, just click here ..

The seat which was occupied for many years by Kentucky basketball equipment manager Bill Keightley is adorned with a blue ribbon prior to a memorial service for him Thursday at Rupp Arena. Keightley died Monday March 31, 2008.

Bill Keightley Dies - The Big Blue Nation Is Saddened
Having just completed his 48th season on the UK sidelines, the Wildcats’ record over the past four decades with Keightley as equipment manager is 1,113-351. During his tenure, he served under six UK head coaches — Adolph Rupp, Joe B. Hall, Eddie Sutton, Rick Pitino, Orlando “Tubby” Smith and Billy Gillispie. Kentucky, which has fielded 105 teams, has played 2,588; meaning Keightley played a role in 57 percent of those games.

Mr. Wildcat by the numbers

• 2: One of only two non-players or coaches to have his name hoisted into Rupp Arena rafters. The other was longtime broadcaster Cawood Ledford.
• 3: UK NCAA titles at which Keightley sat courtside.
• 6: Head coaches Keightley served under (Adolph Rupp, Joe B. Hall, Eddie Sutton, Rick Pitino, Tubby Smith, Billy Gillispie).
• 8: UK trips to Final Four at which Keightley sat courtside.
• 12: Southeastern Conference Tournament titles during his tenure.
• 19: All-Americans who have gone through UK in Keightley’s tenure.
• 24: Won or shared UK Southeastern Conference regular-season championships
• 48: Seasons as equipment manager on UK bench.
• 57: Percentage of games in the 105-year history of UK basketball in which Keightley worked.
• 1,113: Wins he witnessed from UK bench.

Former UK coach Billy Gillispie, left, Bill Keightley and former coach Joe B. Hall were at Big Blue Madness together in the fall of 2007. Keightley embraced the new, but he was always conscious of UK's heritage as well.

Senior's Joe Crawsford, Ramel Bradley and UK Equipment Manager Bill Keightley after a 2007-08 Home game win.

Bill Keightley greeted the Wildcat mascot after UK beat Florida in its final regular-season game in March. That turned out to be the final home game of Keightley's 48-year tenure at UK.

Bill Keightley, right, stands with head coach Billy Gillispie during the playing of the national anthem before UK's first-round loss to Marquette in the NCAA Tournament. It was Keightley's last game of his 48-year UK career.

UK Basketball: Kentucky's NCAA National Championship Teams

UK 1947-48 NCAA Championship Team
Kentucky 58 - Baylor 42
March 23, 1948 - New York
"The Fabulous Five"
UK's 1947-48 Record: 36-3
Alex Groza and Ralph Beard combined for 26 points and the Wildcats' defense held the Bears to 16 first half points to capture UK's first NCAA title.

The title victory enabled the Wildcats to become only the second team ever to win both the NIT and NCAA titles. UK, which finished the season 34-2, won the NIT title in 1946.

Paced by Groza and Beard, the Wildcats turned a 29-16 halftime lead into a 44-28 bugle midway through the second half. After Baylor rallied to cut the lead to 11, UK put the game out of reach as Wallace "Wah Wah" Jones scored four points to give the Wildcats a 15 point lead.

In addiction to Groza and Beard, the Wildcats also got nine points apiece from Jones and Kenneth Rollins.

BOX SCORE

Kentucky
Player FG FTM FTA PF TP
Jones 4 1 1 3 9
Barker 2 1 3 4 5
Line 3 1 1 3 7
Groza 6 2 4 4 14
Holland 1 0 0 1 2
Beard 4 4 4 1 12
Rollins 3 3 5 3 9
Barnstable 0 0 1 0 0
TOTALS 23 12 19 19 58

Baylor
Player FG FTM FTA PF TP
Owen 2 1 2 0 5
DeWitt 3 2 4 3 8
Hickman 1 0 0 0 2
Pulley 0 1 1 0 1
Heathington 3 2 4 5 8
Preston 0 0 2 2 0
Johnson 3 4 7 5 10
Robinson 3 2 4 4 8
Brack 0 0 0 0 0
TOTALS 15 12 24 19 42

Halftime: UK 29 - Baylor 16
Final: UK 58 - Baylor 42

Final Record: Won: 36; Lost: 3
Head Coach: Adolph Rupp
Assistant Coaches: Harry Lancaster
Manager: Humzey Yessin
Team Captain(s): Ken Rollins
Notes: NCAA Champions; SEC Champions; SEC Tournament Champions; Olympic Champions; Participated in the East Region of the NCAA Tournament


UK 1947-48 NCAA ChampionsFront Row: Coach Adolph Rupp, Johnny Stough, Ralph Beard, Kenneth Rollins, Cliff Barker Jr, Dale Barnstable, Asst. Coach Harry Lancaster Second Row: Manager Humzey Yessin, Garland Townes, Jim Jordan, Joe Holland, Alex Groza, Wallace Jones, Jim Line, Roger Day, Trainer Wibert Bud Berger

UK 1947-48 Roster, UK 1947-48 Schedule & Results

UK 1948-49 NCAA Championship Team
Kentucky 46 - Oklahoma A&M 36
March 29, 1949 - Seattle
UK's 1948-49 Record: 32-2
Paced by Alex Groza's 25 points and a defense that limited the Aggies to a mere nine field goals, the Wildcats were crowned NCAA Champions for the second straight year.

Groza, a unanimous selection as the "Player of the Tournament," scored more than twice as many points as any other player. A&M's Jack Shelton was the game's only other player to score in double figures. He finished with 12 points.

The Aggies, coached by Hank Iba, led 5-2, but the Wildcats scored seven straight points, five by Groza, and never trailed again as they took a 25-20 first half lead.

UK extended the lead to 31-21 early in the second half and coasted the rest of the way.

BOX SCORE

Kentucky
Player FG FTM FTA PF TP
Jones 1 1 3 3 3
Line 2 1 2 3 5
Groza 9 7 8 5 25
Beard 1 1 2 4 3
Barker 1 3 3 4 5
Barnstable 1 1 1 1 3
Hirsch 1 0 0 1 2
TOTALS 16 14 19 21 46

Oklahoma A&M
Player FG FTM FTA PF TP
Yates 1 0 0 1 2
Bradley 0 3 5 3 3
Harris 3 1 1 5 7
Parks 2 3 4 5 7
Shelton 3 6 7 4 12
Jaquet 0 1 2 0 1
McArthur 0 2 2 1 2
Pilgrim 0 2 2 1 2
Smith 0 0 0 1 0
TOTALS 9 18 23 21 36

Halftime: UK 25 - Oklahoma A&M 20
Final: UK 46 - Oklahoma A&M 36

Final Record: Won: 32; Lost: 2
Head Coach: Adolph Rupp
Assistant Coaches: Harry Lancaster
Manager: Humzey Yessin
Final Ranking: 1st by AP
Notes: NCAA Champions; SEC Champions; SEC Tournament Champions; Participated in the East Region of the NCAA Tournament


UK 1948-49 NCAA ChampionsFront Row: Coach Adolph Rupp, Jim Line, Cliff Barker, John Stough, Ralph Beard, Joe Hall, Garland Townes, Asstistant Coach Harry Landcaster Second Row: Dale Barnstable, Walt Hirsch, Wallace Jones, Alex Groza, Bob Henne, Roger Day, Mgr. Humzey Yessin

UK 1948-49 Roster, UK 1948-49 Schedule & Results

UK 1950-51 NCAA Championship Team
Kentucky 68 - Kansas State 58
Match 27, 1951 - Minneapolis
UK's 1950-51 Record: 32-2
Bill Spivey scored 22 points and an ailing Cliff Hagan sparked the Wildcats to their third NCAA title.

With a squad consisting of only six healthy players - Walt Hirsch was ineligible and Hagan was plagued by an infected throat - the Wildcats hardly looked like championship material as Kansas State broke out to 20-12 lead.

It was then that Rupp inserted ailing Hagan. It was a move that may have proved the difference as the freshman forward sparked a rally that saw UK cut the Kansas State lead to 29-27 at the half.

Led by Hagan and Spivey, who dominated the boards, UK outscored Kansas State 41-29 in the second half to complete the come from-behind-victory.

BOX SCORE

Kentucky
Player FG FTM FTA PF TP
Whitaker 4 1 0 2 9
Linville 2 4 8 5 8
Spivey 9 4 6 2 22
Ramsey 4 1 3 5 9
Watson 3 2 4 3 8
Hagan 5 0 2 5 10
Tsioropoulos 1 0 0 1 2
TOTALS 28 12 23 23 68

Kansas State
Player FG FTM FTA PF TP
Head 3 2 2 5 8
Stone 3 6 8 5 12
Hitch 6 1 1 5 13
Barrett 2 0 2 1 4
Iverson 3 1 2 3 7
Housey 2 0 0 3 4
Gibson 0 1 1 5 1
Upson 0 0 0 1 0
Knotsman 1 1 2 1 3
Peck 2 0 1 1 4
Schuylar 1 0 1 1 2
TOTALS 23 12 20 31 58

Halftime: Kansas State 29 - UK 27
Final: Kentucky 68 - Kansas State 58

Final Record: Won: 32; Lost: 2
Head Coach: Adolph Rupp
Assistant Coaches: Harry Lancaster
Team Captain(s): Walter Hirsch
Final Ranking: 1st by AP and 1st by UPI
Notes: NCAA Champions; SEC Champions; Participated in the East Region of the NCAA Tournament


UK 1950-51 NCAA ChampionsStanding: Frank Ramsey, Shelby Linville, Bill Spivey, Roger Lane, Lou Tsioropoulos, Read Morgan
Seated: Coach Adolph Rupp, Cliff Hagan, C.M. Newton, Walt Hirsch, Paul Lansaw, Dwight Price, Asst. Coach Harry Lancaster Bottom Row: Lindle Castle, Lucian Whitaker, Bobby Watson, Guy Strong, Charles Riddle

UK 1950-51Roster, UK 1950-51 Schedule & Results

UK 1957-58 NCAA Championship Team
Kentucky 84 - Seattle 72
March 22, 1958 - Louisville
"The Fiddlin' Five"
UK's 1957-58 Record: 23-6
Senior Vernon Hatton scored 30 points and the Wildcats overcame a 25-point, 19-rebound performance by Elgin Baylor to capture their fourth NCAA Championship.

Led by Hatton and Johnny Cox, who finished with 24 points, the Wildcats twice battled back from 11-point deficits to gain the victory.

Trailing for much of the game, UK grabbed its first lead with 6:08 when Don Mills hit a hook shoot to give the Wildcats a 61-60 lead. Moments later, Cox hit a jump shot to make it 63-60 and UK never trailed again.

John Crigler added 14 points and 14 rebounds for the victors. Mills and Adrian Smith finished with nine and seven points respectively.

Aside from Baylor, Seattle received 17 points from Charley Brown and 16 from Jerry Frizzell.

NOTE: Not happy with the performance of his players early in the season, Kentucky Coach Adolph Rupp said, "THEY MIGHT BE PRETTY GOOD BARNYARD FIDDLERS, BUT WE HAVE A CARNEGIE HALL SCHEDULE, AND IT WILL TAKE VIOLINIST TO PLAY THAT COMPETITION."

And thus the Wildcats starters an experienced (four seniors, one junior) if anonymous lot became known as "The Fiddlin' Five". The tournament committee held Kentucky in such low that it had scheduled regional play in Lexington and the Final Four in Louisville, thinking the Wildcats would not even qualify; instead, they (Kentucky) reached the finals.

BOX SCORE

Kentucky
Player FGM FGA FTM FTA REB PF TP
Crigler 5 12 4 7 14 4 14
Cox 10 23 4 4 16 3 24
Beck 0 1 0 1 3 4 0
A. Smith 2 8 3 5 6 4 7
Hatton 9 20 12 15 3 3 30
Mills 4 9 1 4 5 3 9
TOTALS 30 73 24 36 47 21 84

Seattle
Player FGM FGA FTM FTA REB PF TP
Prizzell 4 6 8 11 5 3 16
Brown 6 17 5 7 5 5 17
Baylor 9 32 7 9 19 4 25
Harney 2 5 0 1 1 1 4
Saunders0 2 0 0 2 3 0
Ogorek 4 7 2 2 11 5 10
Plasecki 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
TOTALS 25 69 22 30 43 21 72

Halftime: Seattle 39 - UK 36
Final: Kentucky 84 - Seattle 72

Final Record: Won: 23; Lost: 6
Head Coach: Adolph Rupp
Assistant Coaches: Harry Lancaster, Bill Wireman
Manager: Jay Atkerson
Team Captain(s): Ed Beck
Final Ranking: 9th by AP and 14th by UPI
Notes: NCAA Champions; SEC Champions; Participated in the Mideast Region of the NCAA Tournament

UK 1957-58 NCAA ChampionsFront Row: Coach Adolph Rupp, Adrian Smith, John Crigler, Ed Beck, Don Mills, Johnny Cox, Vernon Hatton, Asst. Coach Harry Lancaster Second Row: Student Manger Jay Atkerson, Earl Adkins, Billy Smith, Phil Johnson, Bill Cassady, Lincoln Collinsworth and Harold Ross

UK 1957-58 Roster, UK 1957-58 Schedule & Results

UK 1977-78 NCAA Championship Team
Kentucky 94 - Duke 88
March 27, 1978 - St. Louis
UK's 1977-78 Record: 30-2
Senior Jack Givens put on one of the finest individual performances in NCAA Championship history in leading the Wildcats past the Blue Devils.

With many fans among the crowd of 18,721 chanting "GOOSE, GOOSE," Givens scored 41 points, three short of the record for a championship game, to help the Wildcats to their fifth NCAA title and first in 20 years.

Givens' dominance was clearly evident in the first half as he scored 23 points, including UK's last 16 of the half, to turn a 29-28 UK lead into a 45-38 cushion. It was a deficit from which the Blue Devils would not recover.

Overall, Givens made 18 of 27 field goal attempts, five of eight free throws and added eight rebounds and three assists.

BOX SCORE

Kentucky
PLAYER MIN FG FT REB A PF TP
Givens 37 18-27 5-8 8 3 4 41
Robey 32 8-11 4-6 11 0 2 20
Phillips 11 1-4 2-2 2 1 5 4
Macy 38 3-3 3-4 0 8 1 9
Claytor 24 3-5 2-4 0 3 2 8
Lee 20 4-8 0-0 4 2 4 8
Shidler 16 1-5 0-1 1 3 3 2
Aleksinas 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 1 0
Williams 10 1-3 0-0 4 0 2 2
Cowan 8 0-2 0-0 2 0 1 0
Stephens 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0
Courts 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0
Gettelfinger 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0
Casey 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0
TEAM 0
TOTALS 200 39-58 16-25 32 20 26 94

Duke
PLAYER MIN FG FT REB A PF TP
Banker 37 6-12 10-12 8 2 2 22
Dennard 30 5-7 0-0 8 2 5 12
Gminski 37 6-16 8-8 12 2 3 20
Harrell 24 2-2 0-0 0 1 3 4
Spanarkel 40 8-16 5-6 2 3 4 21
Suddath 9 1-3 2-3 2 0 1 2
Bender 17 1-2 5-5 1 4 3 7
Goetsch 6 0-1 0-0 1 0 1 0
TEAM 0
TOTALS 200 29-59 30-59 35 14 22 88

Technicals - Duke Bench
Halftime: UK 45 - Duke 38
Final: Kentucky 94 - Duke 88

Final Record: Won: 30; Lost: 2
Head Coach: Joe B. Hall
Assistant Coaches: Dick Parsons, Leonard Hamilton, Joe Dean Jr., Frank Ramsey
Final Ranking: 1st by AP and 1st by UPI
Notes: NCAA Champions; SEC Champions; Participated in the Mideast Region of the NCAA Tournament


UK 1977-78 NCAA ChampionsFront Row: Coach Joe Hall, Jay Shidler, Dwane Casey, Kyle Macy, Jack Givens, Tim Stephens, Chris Gettelfinger, Truman Claytor, Asstistant Coach Dick Parsons Second Row: Asstistant Trainer Walt McCombs, Manager Don Sullivan, LaVon Williams, Scott Courts, Mike Phillips, Rick Robey, Chuck Aleksinas, Fred Cowan, James Lee, Asstistant Coach Leonard Hamilton, Asstistant Coach Joe Dean Jr.

UK 1977-78 Roster, 1977-78 Schedule & Results

UK 1995-96 NCAA Championship Team
Kentucky 79 - Syracuse 67
April 1, 1996 - East Rutherford, N.J.
"The UnTouchables"
UK's 1995-96 Record: 34-2
Tony Delk tied a championship game record with seven three-pointers and the Wildcats withstood a late Orangemen rally to win UK's sixth national title before a capacity crowd of 19,229 in the Continental Airlines Arena at the Meadowlands.

Delk, the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player, canned seven of 12 three-pointers to lead the Cats with 24 points. But after Syracuse had cut the lead to two, 64-62, with 4:46 remaining, a Delk misfire was tipped in by Walter McCarty to extends UK's lead to four. After holding the Orangemen on the next possession, Dereck Anderson drained a three to push the lead to seven. Sryacuse would get no closer than five in the final minutes.

Delk was joined on the Final Four All-Tournament Team by Freshman Ron Mercer, who was sensational off the bench, scoring a career-high 20 points on 8-12 shooting from the field, including 3-4 from three-point range.

BOX SCORE

Kentucky
PLAYER MIN FG 3FG FT REB F A TO B S TP
Anderson 16 4-8 1-1 1-1 4 2 1 2 0 3 11
Walker 32 4-12 0-1 3-6 9 2 4 0 0 4 11
McCarty 19 2-6 0-0 0-0 7 3 3 1 0 0 4
Delk 37 8-20 7-12 1-2 7 2 2 3 1 2 24
Epps 35 0-6 0-3 0-0 4 1 7 1 0 0 0
Pope 27 1-6 0-2 2-2 3 3 2 4 0 1 4
Mercer 24 8-12 3-4 1-1 2 3 2 0 0 1 20
Sheppard 7 1-2 0-1 0-1 2 3 0 3 0 0 2
Edwards 3 0-1 0-1 0-0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0
TEAM 2
TOTALS 200 28-73 12-27 8-13 40 19 22 15 1 11 79

Syracuse
PLAYER MIN FG 3FG FT REB F A TO B S TP
Burgan 39 7-10 3-5 2-5 8 5 1 5 0 1 19
Wallace 38 11-19 2-3 5-5 10 5 1 6 1 0 29
Hill 28 3-9 0-0 1-1 10 2 1 3 1 0 7
Sims 39 2-5 1-4 1-2 2 2 7 7 0 1 6
Cipella 35 3-8 0-3 0-0 1 1 2 2 0 4 6
Reafanyder 13 0-1 0-0 0-0 4 0 0 1 0 0 0
Janulis 8 0-0 0-0 0-0 2 2 0 0 0 0 0
Nelson 0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
TEAM 1
TOTALS 200 26-52 6-15 9-13 38 17 12 24 2 6 67

Halftime: Kentucky 42 - Syracuse 33
Final: Kentucky 79 - Syracuse 67

Final Record: Won: 34; Lost: 2
Head Coach: Rick Pitino
Assistant Coaches: Jim O'Brien, Delray Brooks, Winston Bennett
Team Captain(s): Tony Delk, Walter McCarty and Mark Pope
Final Ranking: 2nd by AP and 2nd by CNN/USA Today
Notes: NCAA Champions; SEC Champions; ECAC Holiday Festival Champions; Participated as #1 Seed in the Midwest Region of the NCAA Tournament


UK 1995-96 NCAA ChampionsFront Row: Asstistant Coach Delray Brooks, Head Coach Rick Pitino, Allen Edwards, Dereck Anderson, Jeff Sheppard, Tony Delk, Anthony Epps, Cameron Mills, Wayne Turner, Associate Coach Jim O'Brien, Assistant Coach Winston Bennett Standing: Equipment Manager Bill Keightley, Adminstrative Assititant George Barber, Jason Lathrem, Oliver Simmons, Nazr Mohammed, Mark Pope, Walter McCarty, Antoine Walker, Jared Prickett, Ron Mercer, Trainer Eddie Jamiel, Asstistant Strenght Coach Layne Kaufman, Strenght Coach Shaun Brown

UK 1995-96 Roster, UK 1995-96 Schedule & Results

UK 1997-98 NCAA Championship Team
Kentucky 78 - Utah 69
March 30, 1998 - San Antonio
"The Comeback Cats"
UK's 1997-98 Record 35-4
Kentucky battled back from a 31-41 halftime deficit to Utah - the largest halftime margin every overcome in an NCAA title game - to claim the school's seventh national championship before 40,509 fans in the Alamodome.

Utah was propelled to the early lead thanks to a 24-6 rebounding advantage in the first half. But Heshimu Evans sparked the "Comeback Cats" off the bench with seven straight points early in the second half. Later, Final Four Most Outstanding Player Jeff Sheppard canned a baseline jumper with 4:54 remaining to give UK a 65-64 lead.

The exhausted Utes then missed 11 consecutive field goals as the Wildcats claimed the second NCAA Championship in three years. Scott Padgett joined Sheppard on the All-Final Four Team after scoring 17 points. UK out rebounded the Utes 18-15 in the second half.

BOX SCORE

Kentucky
PLAYER MIN FG 3FG FT REB F A TO B S TP
Edwards 24 2-7 0-3 0-0 1 0 5 0 0 1 4
Padgett 33 6-11 1-5 4-4 5 4 1 0 0 0 17
Mohammed 13 5-9 0-0 0-0 2 4 0 1 2 0 10
Turner 27 2-5 0-1 2-4 4 0 4 5 0 3 6
Sheppard 34 7-14 0-2 2-2 4 1 3 2 0 2 16
Magloire 22 2-3 0-0 3-3 2 4 1 0 3 0 7
Evans 23 3-4 2-2 2-2 6 1 0 3 1 1 10
Mills 12 2-4 2-4 2-2 0 0 1 0 0 0 8
Smith 7 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Bradley 5 0-0 0-0 0-0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
TEAM 1
TOTALS 200 29-57 5-17 15-17 24 15 15 11 6 7 78

Utah
PLAYER MIN FG 3FG FT REB F A TO B S TP
Mottla 28 4-10 1-3 6-6 8 4 0 3 0 0 15
Jensen 35 5-6 1-1 3-3 2 2 2 1 0 0 14
Doleac 34 5-12 1-1 4-6 10 2 1 1 2 3 15
Miller 37 6-15 0-3 4-7 6 5 5 8 0 2 16
Hanson 32 1-6 0-2 0-0 5 2 1 2 0 3 2
Johnsen 16 3-4 1-2 0-0 4 0 0 3 0 0 7
McTravish 3 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 1 2 0 0 0 0
Jackson 10 0-1 0-1 0-0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0
Caton 5 0-1 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
TEAM 4
TOTALS 200 24-55 4-14 17-22 39 18 12 18 2 8 69

Halftime: Utah 41 - UK 31
Final: Kentucky 78 - Utah 69

Final Record: Won: 35; Lost: 4
Head Coach: Orlando Smith
Assistant Coaches: George Felton, Shawn Finney, Mike Sutton
Team Captain(s): Jeff Sheppard, Allen Edwards and Cameron Mills
Final Ranking: 5th by AP and 1st by USA Today/ESPN
Notes: NCAA Champions; SEC Champions; SEC Tournament Champions; Orlando Smith's First Season
Participated as #2 Seed in the South Region of the NCAA Tournament


UK 1997-98 NCAA ChampionsFront Row:(L-R) Assistant Coach Mike Sutton, Head Coach Orlando "Tubby" Smith, Saul Smith, Cameron Mills, Jeff Sheppard, Wayne Turner, Steve Masiello, Assistant Coach George Felton, Assistant Coach Shawn Finney Standing: Special Assistant Leon Smith, Administrative Assistant Simeon Mars, Equipment Manager Bill Keightley, Ryan Hogan, Heshimu Evans, Scott Padgett, Nar Mohammed, Jamaal Magloire, Micheal Bradley, Myron Anthony, Allen Edwards, Trainer Eddie Jamiel, Strenght Coach Tom Boyd

UK 1997-98 Roster, UK 1997-98 Schedule & Results

For more information on UK's 7 NCAA Championship Teams(Click Here)

UK Basketball: An Unparalleled Tradition

"They had it before you, they had it during you, they'll have it when your gone"... -Al McGuire when asked about the Kentucky Basketball Tradition, uttered this line:

"Kentucky has found the secret of basketball, that is five guys playing together." - Frank McGuire

"Apparently the University of Kentucky basketball dynasty is to continue forever." -Philadelphia Inquirer

"When you see Kentucky's fans, you just wonder. You think how wonderful it would be to go to their school. You wish you could trade places for a day, just so you could experience that feeling." -UCLA Player Kris Johnson

"It's not wise to come to Kentucky and try to run them off their court. Not too many teams have ever done that." - Mississippi State Coach Babe McCarthy in 1962.

"In the next four or five years, Kentucky will be at its best. It has taken a lot of hard labor, but down the road we will be at our best." - Rick Pitino in 1995

"I'd just as soon freeze to death." - Actress Ashley Judd relating a story of being offered a University North Carolina - Chapel Hill jacket on a chilly movie set. - Lexington Herald Leader, August 15, 1996.

"Really, UCLA's a great place as well, but they don't have the kind of environment they have here. The fans here(UK) have a passion." - Dick Vitale on Kentucky fans, December 23, 1999.

"I just thought it was the Kentucky fans coming in." - March 2008, UK Coach Billy Gillispie in Atlanta after a tornado slams into the Georgia Dome.

Cawood Ledford Tribute

Cawood Ledford
"The Greatest College Basketball Announcer Of All-Time"
"Voice of the Wildacts"
from 1953-1992The Legendary "Voice of the Wildcats" was none other than Cawood Ledford. For 39 years, Cawood called Football and Basketball. His voice alone symbolized UK Athletics. Cawood called his last Football game vs. Tennessee on Nov. 23, 1991, and retired from the microphone following the 1991-92 Basketball season. Both games were UK loses.

• Football: UK 7 Tennessee 16 Nov, 23, 1991
• Basketball: UK 103 Duke 104 OT March 28, 1992

Cawood Ledford Articles:

• Cawood Ledford "The Voice of the Wildcats" Memories
• Cawood: Kentucky remembers a legend
• WSGS Celebrates Cawood's Birthday Today-Listen to Cawood's conversation with WSGS

Cawood Tidbit Gannet News Services (USA Today's parent organization) voted Cawood Ledford "The Greatest College Basketball Announcer Of All-Time" after he retired.

Quote on Cawood "Somewhere over the Rockies, I dial Teamline from an Airfone at my Planeseat and listen to Kentucky to take an eight point halftime lead over Iowa State. You haven't lived, friends, until you've heard the heavenly voice of Wildcat radio announcer Cawood Ledford at 39,000 feet."-Alexander Wolff, SI Writter

Cawood Quote:"They're coming to the wire, and its all Kentucky! I can almost smell the roses at Churchill Downs!"- Cawood Ledford - as UK defeats Alabama in the '92 SEC tourney

Cawood's Greatest Hits

"Hello everybody! This is Cawood Ledford from Rupp Arena in downtown Lexington..."
The game was on the air

"Write it down"
A shot was made. As in, "Farmer for three."

"Got it!"
As in, "Hord from 15 feet...Got it!"

"Three if it goes"
A three-pointer was in in the air.

"It took a trip, but it stayed."
When a shot danced around the rim before falling.

"He went to war"
Described a particularly impressive "effort play" by a (unually Kentucky) player. As in, Winston really went to war on the boards that time, Ralph."

"He hasn't got it tonight."
When a player had a tough night. As in, "John Pelphrey is a fine basketball player but he just hasn't got it tonight."

"Jiminy Christmas!"
If he stays 10 years, he'll never get a
better shot than that!"
When a Kentucky player missed a gimme.

"They've got to get him out of there."
When a player's repeated mistakes started to hurt Kentucky. As in, "Dale just doesn't have it. They've got to get him out of there"

"He missed that one"
Directed at officials. As in, "Don Rutledge is a fine official, but he sure missed that one."

"He had a notion"
When a player appeared to think about shooting but didn't."

"The Cats are running"
Cawood's signature call in the Rupp era.


Cawood, watches as they raise & retire a banner with his name into the rafters of Rupp Arena..

Cawood in his early years.


Cawood Ledford Bobblehead


Cawood on WSGS Radio in Easten Kentucky


Cawood doing a post game interview with Rick Pitino at Rupp Arena.
VOICE OF THE WILDCATS
I knew him from childhood by the light of the moon
As the voice of the Wildcats invaded my room.
The magic he'd bring to a boy dressed in blue
Was a dream in his heart that he could play too.

When I was away on some distant shore
In a far off country, during the Vietnam War.
I would listen to Cawood from a tape sent from home
And for a sweet moment, I was not alone.

And I'll never forget the last game he called
Was a heartbreaking moment, our progress had stalled.
A blanket of sadness crept over this fan
As I'd listen no more to this wonderful man.

The visions he conjured, are still in my mind
And I miss him today, as I write this line.
I remember his opener- word for word
Hello Everybody, This Is Cawood Ledford.

-Author Unknown
"From Rupp Arena in downtown Lexington, this is Cawood Ledford saying thanks to each of you from the bottom of my heart for letting me share these great 39 years. Till we meet again, good bye."

Interview with Bill Keightley, (Week 12)

Kygoff
WT Administrator

We're over half way through the William B. Keightley Oral History Project, and this weeks interview is short, but a very good one.

Keightley discusses the 1978 national championship team and the effect of being the top-ranked team that season on the work ethic of the coaches and players who referred to that year as "The Season of No Celebration". He recalls winning the semifinal game and returning to Lexington, describes fan reaction to the National Championship win, and similar scenes in 1996 and 1998. Keightley also discusses the high expectations of success from basketball fans and the UK administration.

Interview with William B. Keightley, July 25, 2006 (36:21)
Keightley, William B.; Interviewee -- Suchanek, Jeffrey; Interviewer

GOTW: 1998 National Championship Game Ky vs. Utah

Blueworldorder
Administrator

Comeback Cats Usurp Utes Undeniably:

The University of Kentucky Wildcats won their 7th NCAA Championship (and 2nd in 3 seasons) as they defeated Utah in the national finals of the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament, by a score of 78-69. Kentucky was the #2 seed in the South, with Utah the #3 seed in the West (the Cats had been ranked #5 in the last AP poll, with Utah coming in at #7). In winning, Kentucky set a record - no team had ever won the NCAAs after trailing by more than 8 pts at halftime, yet Kentucky trailed by 10 and came back to win the game by 9. Coach Tubby Smith, by achieving this feat, has become the NCAA's winningest 1st year coach at any school. Tubby also became only the 3rd coach in NCAA history to win the national championship in his 1st season at a school (Steve Fisher of Michigan did it in 1989, but Fisher only coached for the NCAA Tournament games), and is the 2nd such coach to do so while coaching the entire year (Ed Jucker was the new head coach at Cincinnati in 1961 when he won an NCAA title). In the UK Radio Network discussion following the game, it was mentioned by Cameron Mills that Nazr Mohammed coined the name "The Undeniables" for this squad, which is what the team calls itself during the end of the season.

Kentucky got the opening tap, and Mohammed sank a left handed hook shot to open the scoring. Doleac came right back with a 6 ft shot. Edwards missed a 3, but Turner stole the ball and this led to a Padgett layup. Mottola [JNB note - whose name included umlauts which I shall omit] hit a 16 footer to knot the score at 4-4. Mohammed missed inside, and a jump ball was forced on the rebound, but UK got another steal, and Sheppard had a smooth drive to make it 6-4 UK. Following another pair of steals and a Padgett missed 3, Mohammed got a layup inside to make it 8-4. Utah then scored the next 4 pts to tie the game at 8-8. Magloire completed an old-fashioned 3, but Johnsen hit a 3 to tie the score at 11-11. Edwards and Evans missed shots, and Magloire had a solid block of a Jensen shot, but Kentucky fell asleep on the inbounds play and Jensen had an uncontested layup under the basket to put the Utes up 13-11. Sheppard tied the game immediately, but Mottola had a layup following a scramble for the ball. When Mottola put back a missed Jackson 3, Utah led 17-13 and there was a TV timeout.

Following several misses and steals, Mohammed decided to try an 18 foot shot which hit nothing but air. After a Utah foul, however, Nazr got a nice book shot and cut the lead to 17-15 Utah. Miller made 1 of 2 FT attempts, Padgett hit a high bank shot, Doleac hit an 8 ft turnaround shot, and Edwards hit Mohammed for a layup to make the score 20-19 Utah. Doleac made a putback, Padgett had a putback, and Mohammed picked up his 2nd foul against Doleac just before the next TV timeout. Mottola hit 2 FTs when play resumed after a Magloire block (which appeared pretty clean) was called a foul. Sheppard had an airball jumper (he might have been fouled), UK had a steal and a Turner layup ensued to make it 24-23 Utah. Kentucky got a 5 s defensive call, but after a miss, Jensen made a layup for a 26-23 lead. Doleac was left unguarded outside, and he hit a 3 to give Utah a 29-23 lead with around 5.5 minutes left in the half. The Utes continued on their spurt, as Evans got twisted around and lost control (and the ball), and Jackson made a layup past the defense for a 31-23 margin. Coach Smith decided not to call a timeout, however, and when Sheppard missed a 3, Jensen complete an old- fashioned 3 pt play (the foul being totally unnecessary for UK) and a 34-23 Utah margin with around 4.5 minutes to play. Finally Magloire hit a long hook, but Miller made 1 of 2 FT tosses on the next Ute possession. Padgett hit a long hook, and Edwards followed with a beautiful drive to make it 36-29 Utah with 3 minutes to go. Bradley fouled Doleac, who hit 1, then Mills was fouled and made both of his as the next TV timeout occurred.

Kentucky stole the ball when play resumed, but turned it right back over again, and Johnsen hit an 8 footer. Hansen hit a long 2, and it was 41-31. Edwards and Hansen both missed shots, and the halftime score stood at 41-31. Utah might have felt confident - no team in NCAA history had come back to win the national title after trailing by more than 8 pts at the half (this was accomplished by Loyola in 1963, when they trailed 29-21 to Cincinnati at intermission but came back to win 60-58 in OT). The Utes might also have taken comfort in the fact that they had not trailed at all in any 1998 NCAA game in the 2nd half. Utah had an amazing 24-6 halftime lead in rebounds. Utah had 12 turnovers at the break, while the Wildcats had 6.

The Utes stole the ball to begin the 2nd half, and when Mohammed goaltended a Miller shot, Utah had a 43-31 edge, their largest margin of the game. Padgett connected on an alley-oop, then Miller blew past the defense to make it 45-33. Sheppard hit a leaner, and then Utah had a turnover when Doleac failed to move to catch a pass (an early sign that the Utes were beginning to tire). Sheppard drove the lane and connected, and it was 45-37 Utah. Mohammed picked up his 3rd foul against Mottola, who hit both attempts. Evans connected with a 3 with around 16 minutes left in the game, and it was 47-40 Kentucky. Mottola hit a 3, and Magloire missed with a hook as the 1st TV timeout of the 2nd half occurred.

Evans hit yet another 3 to close it to 50-43 Utah, and then both Utah and Edwards missed 3s. Evans sliced to the basket and made a FG which cut the Utah margin to 50-45 with 13.5 minutes remaining. Johnsen walked, but UK made a bad pass for a turnover. Miller could not complete the old fashioned 3, but Utah got 2 more tries on rebounds from the missed FT. Padgett eventually nailed a 3, to make it Utah 52-48. Johnsen had a wide open layup, but Sheppard put back his own miss to make it 54-50 Utah, and the Utes were definitely dragging up and down the court. When Magloire fouled Jensen, he made both FTs, and it was 56-50 Utah at the next TV timeout.

Turner made 1 of 2 FT tosses, and Doleac made both of his when fouled by Magloire for a 58-51 lead with 10 minutes left in the game. But Edwards hit a driving shot, Mohammed bobbled the ball yet laid it in, and Mills hit a 3 which tied the game at 58-58. UK got its 1st lead of the 2nd half as Sheppard stole the ball and went in for a dunk, causing Utah to call a 20 s timeout to try to regain composure. Mottola was fouled, and his FTs tied the game. Miller had a driving shot after a UK turnover, and Jensen had a layup after a Padgett 3 miss, to make it 64-60 Utah. After a Kentucky timeout, Mills hit a 3, and Sheppard made an 8 footer to give the Cats a 65-64 edge. Kentucky never trailed again, with Magloire making a pair of FT tosses after Mottola's 4th foul. Doleac made 1 of 2 FT shots, and Padgett made 2 FTs, to make it 69-65 Kentucky with 4 minutes left. Miller picked up his 4th foul, and Turner made 1 of 2 from the line. UK ran the clock down low but got off a lousy shot with 2 minutes left, with Miller making 1 of 2 from the charity stripe to cut it to 70-66 UK. With 34 seconds left, Padgett made 2 FTs, and when Doleac got his 4th foul, Evans did the same, for a 74-66 Kentucky lead. Miller bricked a 3, and Turner got a dunk for Kentucky's largest lead of the game at 76-66. Jensen hit a 3 with 10 seconds left, cutting it to 76-69. Sheppard was fouled during inbounding, and he made both his throws for a 78-69 edge. Jensen missed a final shot, and Kentucky had reeled in their 7th NCAA championship (with a score rather reminiscent of the 76-67 margin against Syracuse in 1996).

Utah managed only 4 FGs in the game's last 16 minutes, and 1 of these (by Jensen) occurred with only 10 seconds left in the game and the outcome no longer in doubt. UK for the 1997-98 season was 10-2 when trailing at the half. The Utes had only twice all season given up as many as 70 pts to an opposing team (beating Weber State 87-72 and losing to New Mexico 77-74), and Kentucky's 78 pts were the most scored against the Utes this season. The final rebounding margin (39-24 in favor of Utah) was the largest ever for a losing team in a national championship game. Kentucky's 15 of 17 FT shooting was the 5th highest percentage for a title game [JNB note - who, if anyone, would have thought UK would have done this well in the FT department? ]

The NCAA Final Four All-Tournament team consisted of MOP Jeff Sheppard, Scott Padgett, Michael Doleac of Utah, Andre Miller of Utah, and Arthur Lee of Stanford.

Kentucky set an NCAA Tournament record for blocks in a tournament, surpassing the old record of 37 held by UMASS!!! in 1995 (in 4 games). The Cats had 48 total blocks through 6 NCAA games (6 vs Utah, 7 vs Stanford, 1 vs Duke, 14 vs UCLA, 9 vs St Louis, and 11 vs SC State) .

Jeff Sheppard's 1091 career pts at Kentucky put him 36th on UK's all-time scoring list. Sheppard also had 288 career assists, good for 12th place on the UK all-time list (just behind Larry Conley).

Game Writeup - Courtesy of Dr. Jeffrey Neil Burch; Dr. J's UK Newsletter, Vol. 7 No. 30. (All Rights Reserved)



Heshimu Evans flies in to defend



Jeff Sheppard eyes the basket




Allen Edwards tries to score against Utah's Michael Doleac
To download the 1998 National Championship Kentucky vs. Utah game just click here and follow the direction.

Interview with Bill Keightley, (Week 11)

Kygoff
WT Administrator

This interview begins with Keightley recollection of the ROTC building fire in 1970 at the University of Kentucky which led to Governor Nunn's decision to call in the National Guard, and how those events affected the basketball team. He then discusses the athletic department and athletic directors. He also discusses the success of the basketball program as opposed to a historically less successful football program. Keightly specifically talks about University of Kentucky basketball players Wallace "Wah Wah" Jones and Ralph Beard.

Interview with William B. Keightley, July 19, 2006 (47:21)
Keightley, William B.; Interviewee -- Suchanek, Jeffrey; Interviewer

GOTW: Ky vs. Houston (1984) *Bowie & Turpin vs. Olajuwon*

Blueworldorder
WT Administrator

Wildcats Thunder Presents Our Game of the Week

Kentucky vs. Houston (1984) *Bowie & Turpin vs. Olajuwon*

We Bring You the First of Many Classic Kentucky Games This Summer and We are Starting Off With This great game from 1984 to Kick off the Summer. To Download this Game and Others This Summer Check Out The Wildcat Vault Forum at Wildcats Thunder.You Won't Be Disappointed!

Thanks,

WT Staff

Sky-High Kentucky cuts Houston to Size

LEXINGTON, Ky., -- The glass backboards were covered with fingerprints, more than circumstantial evidence that Sunday afternoon's game between national powers Kentucky and Houston was played above the rim.

The Wildcats, with their two 7-footers -- Melvin Turpin and Sam Bowie -- dangling from the Rupp Arena rafters, outhammered the Cougars and 7-foot shot-blocking specialist Akeem Abdul Olajuwon 74-67 in front of 23,992 fans.

I'm not looking forward to going up against Akeem again in the [NCAA] tournament," Bowie said. "We're just glad to get this one out of the way."

Turpin scored 19 points, pulled down 11 rebounds and blocked 2 shots. Bowie, in his best effort since coming back from two years of leg injuries, scored 8 points, grabbed 18 rebounds and blocked a pair of shots. Olajuwon scored 14 points, took down 12 rebounds and rejected 5 shots before fouling out with 6:14 left in the game.

"I would like to play these guys again on a neutral floor," complained Olajuwon, whose team fell to 16-3. "Everything I do, they [the officials] call me for everything. I should be used to it by now, but the Kentucky players, they just jumped into me and the refs called me for the fouls."

Houston stormed to early leads of 7-0 and 11-1, forcing turnovers and missed shots with an aggressive, trapping defense.

"Houston came here to work immediately. They weren't intimidated by the 24,000 fans," said Kentucky sophomore forward Kenny Walker, who led the Wildcats' scoring with 20 points. "Obviously, their objective was to take the crowd out of the game right away."

With the score 11-1, Kentucky coach Joe B. Hall called a timeout and replaced overanxious freshman guard James Blackmon with steady sophomore Roger Harden. With Harden's court direction, Kentucky [14-2] began its slow uphill battle that earned the Wildcats a 35-31 halftime lead.

"I just wanted to get these guys organized. I just did my job," said Harden, a product of Valparaiso [Ind.] High School. "I thought maybe I had gone back to high school because I felt so free out there today."

The outstanding array of individual talent on the floor was evidence by the 25-point performance of Houston guard Alvin Franklin [19 in the second half] and the 19-point, 9-rebound job of Michael Young

But the ominous presence in the middle of Kentucky's Bowie and Turpin and Houston's Olajuwon helped force erratic shooting and poor execution. The Wildcats were guilty of 24 turnovers. Houston made only 34.7 percent of its shots from the field [26 of 75].

"We didn't win this game by execution," Hall said. "We won this one on emotion."

Kentucky stretched its lead to 61-51 with 7:56 to play on a Walker jam after a Harden alley-op. Following a timeout, Houston cut the deficit to 62-59 behind Franklin and Young.

Hall ordered his Wildcats to spread out the offense in the final 3:16, but it almost backfired. Franklin ran off six straight points - two free throws, a pull-up jumper and a steal and layup. That made the score 70-67 with 1:55 left.

"We had a chance to win until about 40 seconds were left," Houston Guy Lewis said. "I would rather have had an 11-1 lead toward the end of the game than at the start."





Sam Bowie and Melvin Turpin have their hands full with Akeem Olajuwon


James Blackmon tries to sneak into the middle

Game Writeup - Fred Mitchell, Chicago Tribune

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