UK to Honor ‘96, ‘97, ‘98 Teams

[DA#23]

I can't remember what book I read it in but I read one time that Bill Keightley couldn't stand it when Pitino took that job. Keitghley detested UofL more than satan.

Pitino described this at Mr. Keightley's viewing. Jon Hale and I attended that.

[justford]

I had no problem at all with Pitino taking the job at UL. They needed a coach he wanted to coach so he applied. Kenny Payne did the same thing only he wasn’t a head coach here. Ancient history to me but I respect everyone’s opinion.

[Spiritof96]

Let me rephrase: you can’t take the job at the rival school and expect your old fanbase to treat you like a friend.

Agreed.

I appreciate those teams and Pitino's accomplishments here. The Pitino - UK Fan relationship hasn't aged well.

[Dwight Schrute]

I had no issues with KP taking the U of L job (even before he looked like someone not cut out for the big chair). I think him being a U of L alum made it a no brainier but also he doesn’t seem determined to stick it to the UK fan base at every turn.

The current state of U of L athletics is very very funny so I more feel sorry for him.

[samsdad]

I enjoy reading post by the youngsters of our group. While we older members agree with the teams and players brought out, but there are so many players, coaches, broadcasters and even an equipment manager involved to make our program storied.

In addition to all the players already mentioned, some of my favorite players were Ralph Beard, Johnny Cox, Reggie Hanson, Jamal Mashburn and the best, Dan Issel. Also Sam Bowie, LeRon Ellis. Jack Givens, and one of the best shooters ever at UK, Kevin Grevey.

And Cotton Nash.

[TrueblueCATfan]

Exciting news..I have tickets to this game

[Catsrock]

Agreed.

I appreciate those teams and Pitino's accomplishments here. The Pitino - UK Fan relationship hasn't aged well.

Agree 100%. Pitino in the Jurich atmosphere pretty much lost my respect. But that doesn’t take away how he quickly brought our program back to the top after a dark hour. Not to mention with a he most exciting brand of basketball I’ve ever watched.

[Jeff ROCKober]

I was working a dental show in 1996 in Atlanta. UMASS was staying at the Ritz where I was staying. i was on the elevator with Cal and a few of the players and said good luck and yelled Go Kentucky when I left. I remember seeing Allen Iverson as well down in Atlanta and many thought Georgetown would get to the Final Four that year.
I had to watch UK play Wake Forest in my hotel room during the Elite 8. Wake Forest had Tim Duncan and was super nervous that we would lose. UK ended up destroying them.

I loved the 97' team and was devastated when Anderson got hurt. Most people were picking Kansas that year to win it all. Nazr Mohamid could not hit free throws vs Arizona and it killed us. Another reason I hated Packer was when he said," Simon says Championship!!"

In 98' i was in Atlanta again for another dental show and was able to watch Kentucky play St. Louis and UCLA. UNC was a pretty big favorite that year and many were saying this was the year it would be Duke vs UNC in tourney. Kentucky makes that great comeback vs Duke and Kentucky could not be stopped. After losing to Arizona the year before, this team clicked at the right time.

In 1999, I thought UK was going to make another run to the Final Four but fell short in the Elite 8 to Michigan State.

[Spiritof96]

In 98' i was in Atlanta again for another dental show and was able to watch Kentucky play St. Louis and UCLA. UNC was a pretty big favorite that year and many were saying this was the year it would be Duke vs UNC in tourney. Kentucky makes that great comeback vs Duke and Kentucky could not be stopped. After losing to Arizona the year before, this team clicked at the right time.

In 98' everyone in the world wanted to mail that Duke team the trophy before the tourney started.

[Joneslab]

In 98' everyone in the world wanted to mail that Duke team the trophy before the tourney started.

Actually North Carolina was probably the best team that year. They were the team I didn't want to face. I didn't think we could beat Duke necessarily but didn't think it was impossible. Was terrified of North Carolina.

My wife's roommate at Centre was good friends with Duke backup center Taymon Domzalski. They'd grown up together in (of all places) New Mexico. She used to talk enormous crap about Kentucky and it pleased me to no end to go back to campus after the game against Duke and just smirk in her general direction.

[Lighthouse]

And Cotton Nash.

Absolutely! Thanks.

[Spiritof96]

Actually North Carolina was probably the best team that year. They were the team I didn't want to face. I didn't think we could beat Duke necessarily but didn't think it was impossible. Was terrified of North Carolina.

My wife's roommate at Centre was good friends with Duke backup center Taymon Domzalski. They'd grown up together in (of all places) New Mexico. She used to talk enormous crap about Kentucky and it pleased me to no end to go back to campus after the game against Duke and just smirk in her general direction.

I agree but, Duke was the media darling team of that year. People LOVED Elton Brand, LOVED Trogen Langdon, LOVED Battier, and LOVED Wojcizzuzskiiw.

"So smart", "So interesting", "So much moxie"... /throwup emoji

[DA#23]

^ For me Shane Battier’s last year and the media coverage that ensued helped to forge a deep, everlasting disdain for all things Duke, all things Tobacco Road, all things ACC. I despise those elitist programs and thoroughly enjoy UK beating them no matter the scenario.

Dick Vitale waxing over Shane Battier makes me want to be stricken deaf.

[40bill]

Lol...I remember two players came into the store I worked at...Evans and Padgent. It was a reminder of the measurement discrepancy in college. I'm at most 6 foot 2...and Evans was my height, Scott couple inches taller.

[Jeff Craddock]

I enjoy reading post by the youngsters of our group. While we older members agree with the teams and players brought out, but there are so many players, coaches, broadcasters and even an equipment manager involved to make our program storied.

In addition to all the players already mentioned, some of my favorite players were Ralph Beard, Johnny Cox, Reggie Hanson, Jamal Mashburn and the best, Dan Issel. Also Sam Bowie, LeRon Ellis. Jack Givens, and one of the best shooters ever at UK, Kevin Grevey.

I was also a Johnny Cox fan! I moved to Lexington in 1954 and went to a few games with my grandfather, a huge Kentucky fan. My first favorite player was Bob Burrow, a juco transfer who put up some ridiculous numbers…he once scored 50 points and pulled down 23 boards against LSU.

Billy Ray Lickert was another fave.