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Kentucky Wildcats Basketball: Mike Phillips has died

By Paul Jordan

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There is some sad news to report this morning as former Kentucky Wildcats center Mike Phillips died on Saturday.  Phillips was a member of the 1978 National Championship team for Joe B Hall.

"Sources have just informed LEX 18 that former UK center Mike Phillips, 59, has died.A source tells LEX 18 that Phillips died from a fall in his home in Madisonville, Kentucky on Saturday. Details of the accident are not known at this time.The  6’10” center, who was Mr. Basketball in Ohio in 1973 and 1974, was a big key in UK winning the NCAA Championship in 1978. An all-SEC player, Mike averaged 11 points and 6 rebounds during his UK career.Phillips’ former coach, Joe B. Hall, tells LEX 18 “Oh, that’s terrible news. He was a pillar of strength. Very hard working. He and Rick Robey were the original Twin Towers.”"

Phillips played four seasons at Kentucky and made the All SEC team his last three seasons.  He finished his UK career with 1367 points (#25 all time), 755 rebounds (#20 all time), and played in 120 games (tied for #43).  During his time at UK, in addition to the national title, his Wildcats won 100 games which ties him for #27 all time.

I was able to find a good breakdown of what Mike Phillips did for his team on the court during his playing time as I know that a lot of readers may not rememebr him, but he was key in helping Kentucky win the 1978 title.  

"Mike Phillips also had an excellent story for Kentucky.  During his freshman year, Phillips was a member of an NCAA Runner-up squad.  The next season, Phillips dominated in the tournament…the National Invitational Tournament.  The Wildcats won the NIT, but the tournament was and is far from relevant.Phillips carried the Wildcats in that season, averaging a near double-double.  It was clear that winning the NIT was as embarrassing for the players as it was for the Big Blue faithful.  Phillips helped lead the Wildcats back to glory, returning to the Elite Eight the following year and winning the title during his senior year.The 6-foot-10 Phillips was a key contributor for the Wildcats during the championship season, starting 30 of 31 games at center.  He was tenacious on the boards and gave maximum effort every game.  Unfortunately for Phillips, he was often overshadowed by his classmate Jack “Goose” Givens and several other teammates."

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