If you could change the outcome of one Kentucky game ...

[mj2k10]

It's actually kind of depressing looking at all these responses. We have been so damn close in a lot of games. A couple balls roll our way instead of theirs & we have 10-11 titles.

Yes and no. People tend to remember the bad more than the good. You can go the opposite direction, and look at things like the miracle comeback against Duke in 98 (then 2 more less miraculous, but still significant comebacks that followed), the string of close wins in the 2011 tourney, the string of thrillers in 2014, and so on. UK's won its share of important games that could have gone the other way.

One frustrating thing, though, is that only once in the modern era has UK really won any of those type of games during a title run (98, obviously). The 78, 96, and 2012 teams never seemed to be in imminent danger of losing in those tournaments. Play those tournaments 10 times, and each of those UK teams probably wins 8 or 9 of them.

That's part of what made UNC so tough to swallow this year. I'm not going to look back at teams like 03 or 10 and moan too much. Those teams played like crap in huge games, and lost. It happens. But last year's team played UNC dead even despite the officiating, had a multi-possession lead with 5 minutes left, then hit some absolute clutch shots to make a miracle almost happen. And the FF was ripe for the taking.

 

[JimboBBN]

Wisconsin. No loss will ever sting as bad as that one did for the rest of my life.

 

[83Cat]

2014 UCONN game. I watched it from a bar at the beach in Malibu. Walked back to the car in a daze.
2. AZ three peat
3. The IU "the shot" game. I'd love to shut their pie hole once and for all, even though we did come back and knock them out of the tourney which was sweet.

 

[Cindog28]

The 1966 final 4 game against Duke. If we lose that game Duke would have gone on to play Texas Western and become the racist school instead of Kentucky. I may have the schedule wrong, because I was in the service at the time and did not get to see or hear any of the games, but the idea is correct.

1.) Thank you for your service!
2.) The UK/Duke result in 1966 may have changed the entire face of NCAA Basketball. UK could have won 20 titles without the label of being a racist school.

 

[JonathanW]

1.) Thank you for your service!
2.) The UK/Duke result in 1966 may have changed the entire face of NCAA Basketball. UK could have won 20 titles without the label of being a racist school.

There is a very good argument for this being the correct answer.

 

[brianpoe]

People choosing Wisconsin are the same ones that take the penalty on a made field goal and go for the TD from the 3 yard line on 4th and goal.

As much as Wisconsin stung, it still left a game to be played. No reason to accept that risk, include 1992 and 1984 here.

1966 may well be the better choice for a title game due to the decades-long implications.

2014 was already incredible by making it to the FF and that title would actually glorify Cal as much or more than the legacy of the program.

1997 3-peat makes a lot of sense, but had been accomplished before, as had an undefeated season for the 2015 posters.

With only one choice, risk should be eliminated and a title selected.

After choosing a title which one provides the greatest opportunity to the all-time winningest program solidifying itself with the title of most championships?

1975.

We would be just one away from tying.

And we would have beaten Mrs. Gilbert in his last game.


I'm anxious to read others debating their selections.

 

[armchairpg]

I like the 97 Arizona game for the 3peat. I also like the idea about beating UCLA and evening up the title race. If we were not allowed to pick a title game, I might pick the game we played against IU the year they went undefeated. A little Schadenfreude-y but hey.

 

[bucsrule8872]

2014 UCONN. That would have been one hell of a story if it ended in a title.

This.

 

[TopCatCal]

If you were talking about a regular season game. I would pick the UL game this past season. Why? Because it would give Pitino a perfect 0 wins & 10 losses against Calipari since Cal has been here.

 

[JimBR]

Good arguments for all games mentioned. The 2010 West Virginia game was also huge. One bad shooting game stopped maybe one of the best college basketball teams ever to play. Would have loved to have seen John Wall tear up Jon Scheyer and the dukies.

 

[Wall2Wall]

Turn 38-1 into 39-0 and inevitably 40-0

 

[Untouchables96]

1) 2014 title game--it just really sucked having such a great run end the way it did

2) 1975 title game--this is really the smartest choice because it cuts our title deficit from 11/8 to 10/9 but it was 2 years before I was born and the selfish part of me wants another title in my lifetime.

3) 1997 title game--the 3peat would've been amazing

Just think, if we were Kansas or Duke fans we sure would have a lot of choices to pick from and an interesting debate haha

 

[Ky-troutbum]

Can I choose all of them?

Yes, cause you'll get the same result.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

People choosing Wisconsin are the same ones that take the penalty on a made field goal and go for the TD from the 3 yard line on 4th and goal.

As much as Wisconsin stung, it still left a game to be played. No reason to accept that risk, include 1992 and 1984 here.

1966 may well be the better choice for a title game due to the decades-long implications.

2014 was already incredible by making it to the FF and that title would actually glorify Cal as much or more than the legacy of the program.

1997 3-peat makes a lot of sense, but had been accomplished before, as had an undefeated season for the 2015 posters.

With only one choice, risk should be eliminated and a title selected.

After choosing a title which one provides the greatest opportunity to the all-time winningest program solidifying itself with the title of most championships?

1975.

We would be just one away from tying.

And we would have beaten Mrs. Gilbert in his last game.


I'm anxious to read others debating their selections.

The chance at immortality is what changes it, for me at least. Which funny enough, people seem to want a title more than a perfect season. I get that, us fans count and compare titles. It's the top currency in sports debates.

But a 40-0 season (yes, knowing we still have to beat Duke).. It's the ultimate trump card. It nullifies any other perfect season because there are more games. It would probably never be touched again for almost half a dozen reasons. And what it would do for Kentucky Cal and the players? To the legacy and recruiting going forward? Uconn women's team going undefeated was pretty big, and that's women's ball. It would be the biggest story of the sports year.

And not to mention our detractors and haters. What can they say at that point? Kneeburns or RCTexas wouldn't have posted for at least an extra year or two. That might be worth it alone.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

Not to mention, the Duke/UK showdown would have been epic. Let's assume we win. Another title, and we keep Duke/K from theirs.

I know we can't base college performance on how these guys do in the NBA.. But those Duke players have been very underwhelming. In hindsight, they aren't as scary of a team as I thought. Wisconsin beats them if they officials didn't step in. Kentucky, too.

 

[kev69]

Definitely the 1966 title game against Texas Western.

No brainier IMO.

 

[UKCATSFREAK]

There are just so many that come to mind. Just off the top of my head......

Wiscy
Duke 92'
UConn 14'
WVU 10'
UCLA 75'
Michigan State 05' (I think)
Arizona 97'

 

[Simple_Man]

1975 championship game
1966 championship game

 

[EvilMD]

Two that haven't been mentioned....the Dream Game in 1983 and the regular season overtime loss to Indiana during their undefeated season. Imagine being their only L two years in a row. And how different would history be if Minniefield dunks that ball and we win by two in regulation?

 

[BigBlueManSouthCentralKY]

The UCLA game after we beat IU.

 

[Elliott Tim]

The Laetner shot. That way I would never have to watch that replay again.

Amen!