Who is the GOAT for Kentucky Basketball?

[Kentucky_SportsX]

Would love to hear everyone’s choices and the reason why.

I’m going with AD just because he took college basketball by storm, was probably one of the greatest defensive players of all time in college basketball, and won a title with the 2012 team… I’m sure a lot of people will not choose AD but that’s mine.

 

[St.PatterSoN-54-]

I love me some AD, but my vote is for Mash.

 

[KYFOSSIL]

I love me some AD, but my vote is for Mash.

Dan Issel

 

[dcw62]

Old guy like me would have to go with Dan Issel

 

[mebeblue2]

Dan Issel

yep
honestly it is not even close

 

[STL_Cat]

In my lifetime, it's Jamal Mashburn 1a and Anthony Davis 1b. Davis by far the best single season I have ever seen here. But Mash gave me 3 amazing years and the first Final Four I got to watch as a Kentucky fan.

 

[MegaBlue05]

Historically it’s gotta be Issel.

I don’t like to compare eras because of the different rules and who was allowed to play (no freshmen until ‘72 + whites only until the late 1960s vs. 4 years of eligibility and no color barrier)

I’d rank Issel the GOAT of the pre-modern era and Mashburn the GOAT of the modern era.

 

[bthaunert]

I'll throw in Ralph Beard if we are talking about who was the best at their time compared in their era for personal and team accomplishments:

4 time 1st team all SEC
4 time all SEC Tournament
3 time consensus 1st team all american
2 time national champion
1 time NIT champion
1 time NIT runner-up
Overall record of 130-10
SEC record of 39-0
Olympic gold medal

 

[UKWildcats1987]

I'm going for Ralph Beard if we are talking about who was the best at their time compared in their era...and honestly, it's not even close for personal and team accomplishments:

4 time 1st team all SEC
4 time all SEC Tournament
3 time consensus 1st team all american
2 time national champion
1 time NIT champion
1 time NIT runner-up
Overall record of 130-10
SEC record of 39-0
Olympic gold medal

This is probably the correct answer when you factor in both individual and team success.

AD probably had the greatest one season in modern history at least.

Mash and issel were amazing but they didn't win a national title.

 

[docholiday51]

I'm going for Ralph Beard if we are talking about who was the best at their time compared in their era...and honestly, it's not even close for personal and team accomplishments:

4 time 1st team all SEC
4 time all SEC Tournament
3 time consensus 1st team all american
2 time national champion
1 time NIT champion
1 time NIT runner-up
Overall record of 130-10
SEC record of 39-0
Olympic gold medal

He was my 2nd choice behind Issel

 

[STL_Cat]

This is probably the correct answer when you factor in both individual and team success.

AD probably had the greatest one season in modern history at least.

Mash and issel were amazing but they didn't win a national title.

It hurts Mash's legacy just a *little* that he didn't win a title here, but if you were old enough to watch where we came from and how he (along with Pitino) resurrected our program from the ashes to lead us to that heartbreaker against Duke in the Elite Eight, and then ultimately back to the Final Four just a few short years after coming off a devastating probation there's a little grace there for not actually winning the title. Also, in my lifetime I've just never seen someone have a better career at UK spanning multiple seasons. Like I said, no doubt best single season AD. Best career for me, Mashburn. Again I'm talking my lifetime.

 

[storm1507]

Dan Issel

 

[BlueWorldOrder74]

I didn’t see Issel play. But I will go this:

- Issel - probably because he is
- Mash - 3 years of amazing
- AD - dominant, but only 1 season

Special shout-out to Dinner Bell Mel - loved that guy on and off the court. Was a friend. Such a good guy.

 

[THE_HOOK]

Dan Issel.

 

[WILDCAT WILLIE69]

This is probably the correct answer when you factor in both individual and team success.

AD probably had the greatest one season in modern history at least.

Mash and issel were amazing but they didn't win a national title.

Dan Issel not because he’s my teammate
But what he accomplished in 3 years

 

[westerncat]

Dan Issel

 

[jmw23712]

Since the post doesn’t specify greatest player, I’m going with Pat Riley. He’s been a basketball legend at every level and at one point was a great ambassador for the program.

 

[DreadLox]

Of the players I've seen, the pool is Walker, Mashburn, Davis, Wall, and Ulis. So, strictly from their college play, I'd say Tyler Ulis.

 

[rick64]

I'd put Pat Riley in the discussion considering his overall total body of work college and NBA.

 

[Creed Bratton]

It always amazes me that in these conversations the one name that never gets brought up is Keith Bogans. He is the 4th leading scorer all time, SEC All Freshman team, All SEC as a Sophomore, SEC POY as a Sr, 2nd or 3rd team All American according to 4 different outlets as a Sr, drafted in the 2nd round and went on to play for 13 years in the NBA. Is the the GOAT? Maybe not but he deserves to be in the conversation.

 

[drbubba]

Dan Issel

Why is there any debate? Of course it's Dan Issel.

 

[Kycatspaws]

Not the GOAT. But the "Lamb".
Doron Lamb.

 

[FtWorthCat]

I love me some AD, but my vote is for Mash.

I go back until about the 1972 season, and in that time the UK player who has had the greatest positive impact on the program is Mashburn. He made the rebuild go a lot quicker.

 

[YardCat]

Issel

 

[YardCat]

Dan Issel not because he’s my teammate
But what he accomplished in 3 years

Tell us a story Wildcat Willie!

 

[cawoodsct]

Chuck Aleksinas

 

[Mike-D]

I mean, the best player to ever play here was Davis. NPOTY, won a title, played for team USA.

 

[sg24]

Issel
Then Mash
Then AD

 

[DeerTurkHunter1]

Dan Issel not because he’s my teammate
But what he accomplished in 3 years

How did most of you all miss this???? Willie, like the above guy said, tell us a story...

 

[KFuqua]

Definitely Dan Issel!

 

[UkMccurdy]

Issel or Mash.

Issel is the clear pick bc of his sheer greatness.

Mash enters the conversation bc he was catalyst for UK returning to glory. Most versatile player to ever wear the uniform.

Fun topic!

 

[Wildcats1st]

Dan Issel

Case closed not even worth discussion.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

Again if it's all about stats it's clearly Issel.

People on here are always bitching about national titles and final fours though so figured team success would play a factor in the holistic conversation.

 

[taydaddy]

Issel

 

[lj bulldog]

Issel #1 - these 4 greats in any order- AD, Mashburn, Ken Walker, KAT, Oscar

 

[Deli owl]

Since there was no criteria to the question, you are all wrong. Rupp was the GOAT. Close thread.

 

[BlueWorldOrder74]

Dan Issel not because he’s my teammate
But what he accomplished in 3 years

Clint?
Jim?

 

[ORCAT]

Issel, title or not, he was an amazing player and followed it up with a great NBA career.

 

[screwduke1]

Savhir Wheeler

 

[Zissou87]

Since the post doesn’t specify greatest player, I’m going with Pat Riley. He’s been a basketball legend at every level and at one point was a great ambassador for the program.

"Was"?