The University of Kentucky Wildcats have a storied history in
basketball, being one of the truly elite programs. Since the University started
playing basketball back in 1903, it has amassed over 1,950 victories, 43 SEC
regular season championships, 25 SEC Tournament Championships, 15 Final Four
appearances and 7 national championships.
The men's basketball team's illustrious history includes 139
NCAA Tournament games in 47 appearances, in which it has compiled a 97-42
record.
The Kentucky Wildcats' other accomplishments include a 129
game home court win streak extending from January 4, 1943 to January 8, 1955.
The Wildcats hold the record for most 30+ win seasons with
eleven:
The Wildcats National Championship game appearances:
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1948: Won 58-42 over Baylor, Coach: Adolph Rupp,
Outstanding Player: Alex Groza, Kentucky
-
1949: Won 46-36 over Oklahoma State, Coach: Adolph Rupp,
Outstanding Player: Alex Groza, Kentucky
-
1951: Won 68-58 over Kansas State, Coach: Adolph Rupp,
Outstanding Player: None selected
-
1958: Won 84-72 over Seattle, Coach: Adolph Rupp,
Outstanding Player: Elgin Baylor, Seattle
-
1966: Lost 72-65 to Texas Western (later UTEP), Coach:
Adolph Rupp, Outstanding Player: Jerry Chambers, Utah (4th)
-
1975: Lost to UCLA 92-85, Coach: Joe B. Hall, Outstanding
Player: Richard Washington, UCLA
-
1978: Won 94-88 over Duke, Coach: Joe B. Hall,
Outstanding Player: Jack Givens, Kentucky
-
1996: Won 76-67 over Syracuse, Coach: Rick Pitino,
Outstanding Player: Tony Delk, Kentucky
-
1997: Lost 84-79 to Arizona, Coach: Rick Pitino,
Outstanding Player: Miles Simon, Arizona
-
1998: Won 78-69 over Utah, Coach: Tubby Smith,
Outstanding Player: Jeff Sheppard, Kentucky
In addition the Kentucky Wildcats were considered Helms
National Champions in 1933 and 1954:
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1933: Record: 21-3, Coach: Adolph Rupp Helms National
Champion
-
1954: Record: 25-0, Coach: Adolph Rupp Helms National
Champion
Kentucky has finished in the top 10 of the Associated Press
Poll 38 times, and has finished number one 8 times. The Wildcats have also
finished in the top ten of the Coaches Poll 34 times, and number one 7 times.
The Wildcats' most famous coaches:
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Adolph Rupp (1931-1972), Record: 876-190
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Joe B. Hall (1973-1985), Record: 297-100
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Eddie Sutton (1986-1989), Record: 88-39
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Rick Pitino (1990-1997), Record: 219-50
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Orlando "Tubby" Smith (1998-2007), Record: 263-83
-
Billy Gillispie (2008-)
The design of the Kentucky Wildcats Fabric: Squares consists
of the University's UK logo over a blue and white squared
background.
The Kentucky Wildcats Fabric: Squares is not suitable for
children's sleepwear. This pattern has been licensed by the University of
Kentucky and is for individual consumption only. Any other use of the Kentucky
Wildcats Fabric: Squares is prohibited and illegal.