Kentucky has a rich history in most every sport played. Basketball has always been king, but cheer and rifle also have brought home national titles. Rugby just won it's second championship in a row. The Cats have moments to remember, and some to forget all through the storied history. Let's take a look at 5 of each:
Moments to Remember
Cal brings Kentucky back to the top of the mountain in 2012
On this night in 2012, Kentucky holds off Kansas 67-59 at the Superdome in New Orleans to win the school's eighth national championship. The 2012 Wildcats (38-2) were later voted Team of the Decade by the Associated Press. #BBN pic.twitter.com/mf1UVQpgof
— TheCatsPause247 (@TheCatsPause247) April 2, 2024
Anthony Davis and the Wildcats stormed through the NCAA tournament to claim their 8th title, defeating Kansas 67-59 in the finals. Davis’ dominance and the team’s unselfish play embodied Kentucky basketball at its finest and most dominant. Cal would get back to the title game, but could never close the deal like this team did.
Aaron Harrison's clutch gene in 2014
#OTD in 2014, Aaron Harrison's third straight game-winner sends Kentucky to the title game with a 74-73 win over Wisconsin. #BBNpic.twitter.com/TC6xSDpk1f
— TheCatsPause247 (@TheCatsPause247) April 5, 2021
The 2014 Wildcats had one of the greatest runs ever, with Aaron Harrison nailing 3 straight game winners. Sadly, the Cats would fall short in the title game to Shabazz Napier and UCONN. Doesn't take away from the brilliance that was the games prior though.
LSU goes down in Commonwealth
I might be biased as a Kentucky fan but we’ve had two of the hardest hits I’ve ever seen. Dicky Lyons Jr. hit against LSU in our upset over them in 2007 is by far the biggest hit I’ve ever seen, if we’re talking about hardest hit to a QB? Taylor Wyndham almost killed Tebow pic.twitter.com/O7yb7GUR9s
— Trey Hartlage (@treyhartlage) July 24, 2024
Rich Brooks led the Cats back to respectability, and this game showcased the grit he became known for. Going into OT, UK stopped LSU on 4th down to stun the Tigers. Also this block by Dicky Lyons Jr. doesn't get talked about nearly enough.
Wildcats walk it off in Omaha
Mitchell Daly came to Kentucky, in own words, “lost” as a player. He found himself with the Cats and had his dream moment in Omaha with the first walk-off HR since the #MCWS moved to Charles Schwab Stadium. pic.twitter.com/vAVnFlKVRt
— Kentucky Baseball (@UKBaseball) June 20, 2024
First Omaha trip resulted in the first win, and an amazing walk off from Mitchell Daly and the Cats. It was the only win the Cats could muster in Omaha, but it was their first ever trip. We call that success.
Kentucky women knock off South Carolina to win the SEC
KENTUCKY HITS THE LATE THREE TO BEAT SOUTH CAROLINA AND WIN THE WOMEN'S SEC CHAMPIONSHIP 😱@KentuckyWBB pic.twitter.com/pOI2k7bsGe
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) March 6, 2022
Dre'una Edwards made a three pointer with 5 seconds left to cap off a 21-7 4th quarter run for the Cats. South Carolina had one final possession of the game but couldn't get a shot off. It was the highlight of the Elzy era and maybe of women's basketball period.
Moments to forget
Aminu gets stomped, Laettner nails winner
Kentucky vs Duke tomorrow.
— KentuckyBlues (@KentuckyBluesUK) November 11, 2024
This game’s revenge for when Christian Laetter stepped on Aminu Timberlake. pic.twitter.com/iSvl2eBtes
We all know what happened when Laettner got the ball and turned around. But rewind a few moments earlier and he should have never been in the game. He clearly loads up and stomps on Aminu.
Bluegrass Miracle
21 years ago today, @LSUfootball pulled off a comeback for the ages.
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) November 9, 2023
The Bluegrass Miracle 🤯 pic.twitter.com/opftm8XWER
Guy Morriss received an unfortunately timed gatorade bath, only to see LSU complete the hail mary and knock the Cats off.
Kentucky goes ice cold against Georgetown in 84
Celebrating the 1984 @KentuckyMBB team, which advanced to the Final Four and swept the @SEC regular season and tournament titles. pic.twitter.com/N8VZr64nuc
— Kentucky Athletics (@UKAthletics) January 21, 2024
Kentucky had a 7 point lead heading into the second half, but managed only 11 points allowing G-town to storm back and win 53-40.
Robert Morris
March 19, 2013: Robert Morris (@RMUMBasketball) upsets Kentucky 59-57 in the first round of the NIT.
— This Day In Sports Clips (@TDISportsClips) March 19, 2024
pic.twitter.com/4KsVPxQBc1
Going from national title to the NIT was bad enough, then the loss was just icing on the cake.
Joker Phillips era crumbles with Vandy loss
On this date in 2012 Team Patrick Celebrated the end of the Joker Phillips Era https://t.co/WoYp3HExFx pic.twitter.com/wdFBRNb5TW
— UK Fanatics (@UKFanaticsOnly) November 3, 2022
Joker was poised to take over from Rich Brooks and keep the train rolling. It didn't work out that way, and the fans that showed up to the Vandy beatdown saw his last game in charge of the Cats. Mark Stoops would be hired, and history may seem to be repeating itself with Stoops now.
Well there we have it Cats fans, 5 moments to remember and 5 to forget. Any big ones on your personal list that we missed?