Top Ten Memorable Sweet Sixteen Games in Kentucky Basketball History
By J Bill Sosh
No. 5 – 1998 – Kentucky 94 UCLA 68
The result of our next game, and that year’s tournament, is one that Kentucky Basketball fans hope is repeated this Friday night in Memphis and in the rounds to follow. The Wildcats made it to South Regional in St.Petersburg, FL as the second seed. There on March 26th they met six-seed UCLA in a matchup of the two teams with the most national championships in history.
The Bruins were at a disadvantage, having lost star guard Baron Davis to injury in the previous round. Still the ease and speed with which the Wildcats dispatched their opponent was surprising. The Cats jumped out to an early 11-3 lead. Then it went to 20-5, with Kentucky having already blocked six shots by their shell-shocked foes.
UCLA tried to make a game of it and cut the lead to 28-21. But then UK went on another run and extended the lead to 40-23 at halftime. Kentucky’s relentless defense held the Bruins to 9-35 (26%) shooting and forced 14 turnovers in the half.
The game was essentially over at that point. UCLA fared a little better on offense but never got closer than within 13 points. Kentucky led by as many as 32 before winning 94-68.
Taking down the Giant
The 26 point margin of defeat was the second worse in post-season history for the 11-time national champions. Scott Padgett led five Cats in double figures with 19 points. Nazr Mohammed turned in a stellar effort with 15 points, seven rebounds and six blocked shots.
The win propelled Kentucky Basketball into the regional final versus top-seeded Duke. There they overcame an 18 point deficit to win and gain revenge for the epic 1992 regional loss to the Blue Devils. The Cats went on to claim their seventh national championship.