aka the reason we can't play in Rupp in the NCAA tournament.
Kentucky vs Illinois 1984
- Thread starter Kentucky fan 1989
- Start date
The second time that season we beat them. Just telling my 20 year old all about it today.
It was Christmas eve 1983. Jim Master hits game winner. The only time it happened.
Illinois fans referred to it as Rape Arena because of the bad whistle they felt they got.
I'm kind of glad I hadn't started watching in 1984 so I didn't have to endure that Georgetown game. I've heard the horror stories.
Seems like there was a controversial call late in the game, maybe a walk that wasn’t called .
Been a long time ago, does anyone remember that?
Been a long time ago, does anyone remember that?
I was at that game. The only NCAA game I've ever been to.
I was there. Great memory.
Crazy they let teams play on their home court
Crazy they let teams play on their home court
Whatever you’ve heard……..it was worse.
And they whined both times. Even tho they got to take refs out of the stands to call the game up there because of snow.
We beat them in Champaign that same season. And the officials couldn’t make it because of weather so they recruited some officials from the crowd. The story was they were high school officials but that might not be true.
We beat them anyway. Memory says late game heroics. But that’s fuzzy.
They just whine to whine.
We have fans too that whine about officials every game.
Has nothing to do with tomorrow.
We just need to beat them.
We beat them anyway. Memory says late game heroics. But that’s fuzzy.
They just whine to whine.
We have fans too that whine about officials every game.
Has nothing to do with tomorrow.
We just need to beat them.
That game was the last time a team got to play a regional in there home arena. But the next season we were 2 games away from getting to play in a Final 4 at Rupp. If a St. Johns player( I want to think it was Chris Mullin) hadn't poked Kenny Walker in the eye, we could have upset them in the Sweet 16 and been one game away.
Lou Henson was insufferable.
I hate to say it but that game 41 years ago makes me even MORE leery about our game tomorrow.
Lou Henson was insufferable.
I hate to say it but that game 41 years ago makes me even MORE leery about our game tomorrow.
I remember that game well. I was there with my sister. We had obtained a couple of scalped tickets just before tip off, seats lower level right above where the players entrance in the corner. I had seen a lot of big time games in Rupp before, but Rupp Arena never had more energy and electricity in that building I had ever experienced before that. Truly awesome to get that win. I followed the team so closely that entire year, travelling with dad to almost all of the away games even. We were all over the country that year.
and we missed Seattle. UGH.
Truly think we can pickup this win and advance against the Illini. They do not scare me at all. Let the best team win. Beat the best to be the best.
Go Big Blue!
and we missed Seattle. UGH.
Truly think we can pickup this win and advance against the Illini. They do not scare me at all. Let the best team win. Beat the best to be the best.
Go Big Blue!
Michael Graham. Biggest punk I've ever seen on the court.
That team had one weakness....not enough ball handlers. Almost cost us against Louisville and Illinois. Sealed our fate against Georgetown.
I think that was James Blackmon with the game winning shot…..
It was Mullin and I'm not sure it wasn't deliberate. Walker's eye was a mess and I don't know if he could see out of it the rest of the game. It's the reason why Walker wore goggles his entire senior year and into the NBA. We were in complete control late in the first half until that happened and I think St. John's was ranked #2 when that tournament started.
They were one of three Big East teams in the Final Four. Along with Memphis State.
Guess someone had to get it given how poorly we shot and the turnovers we had. I'm gonna have to search for the box score.
Coldest Christmas of my life. That game and cold go together. The regular season one
Last edited:
I was wrong twice. My memory is fading away at my age, unfortunately:
1) Beal was voted the most outstanding player in the MIdeast Regional.
2) He played thirty-nine (39) minutes in both games, not used sparingly like I thought.
Last edited:
I go into detail of this play on the following page:
Kentucky vs Illinois 1984
Beal did a great job protecting the ball without walking.
Iirc, there was a brutal cold streak throughout the country that day/night. That was one of the coldest days I can ever remember in Paducah.
Yes.
I believe James Blackmon scored the winning basket in the regular season game.
I attended the final four that year. Horrible shooting v G-town.
I understand as I'm right there with you. I used to be able to have quick recall on most anything UK from the past. I get games mixed up now. I resort more to to Scott's page more often than I used to.
