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Shedding a Light on The ’96, ’97, and ’98 Kentucky Basketball teams

By Frank Spencer

Oct 17, 2015; Lexington, KY, USA; A general view of Rupp Arena during the game with the Sacramento Kings and the New Orleans Pelicans. Sacramento Kings defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 107-98. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2015; Lexington, KY, USA; A general view of Rupp Arena during the game with the Sacramento Kings and the New Orleans Pelicans. Sacramento Kings defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 107-98. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /
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Kentucky Basketball
Mar 17, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari reacts against the Northern Kentucky Norse during the first half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

A Tradition Unlike Any Other

Kentucky Basketball is the winningest program in all of college basketball. Winning championships is the gold standard for a Kentucky program. It seems as though a season that ends without an NCAA Championship, is a failure for the program.

Kentucky has now won eight national titles, which ranks sixth all time behind UCLA’s 11 titles. The last title came in 2012 behind Anthony Davis and John Calipari. A near 14 year drought of National titles has now restarted as Kentucky is currently on a four year drought without a championship.

This year’s Kentucky Team looks to put an end to the drought to begin the talks of the Kentucky Basketball title dynasty. Another championship would mean that Kentucky would fall just two titles shy of the all-time record held by UCLA and legendary coach John Wooden.

These three teams spanning from 1996 to 1998 won two national championships while playing  in three straight National Title games. An unbelievable feat regardless of the coaching change from Pitino to Tubby Smith. Needless to say, this group of teams have paved the way for the showtime play of today’s Kentucky teams and the Big Blue Nation is thankful for it.

All Statistics and scores were derived from BigBlueHistory.net and Sports-reference.com.

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