Kentucky basketball, for being arguably the greatest program in the history of college hoops, has suffered its fair share of heartbreaks too. The Big Blue Nation holds losses in March Madness like a sponge holds water. That's a pain that never leaves.
In light of those excruciating memories, we're revisiting the three biggest "what if" losses that could have advanced Kentucky's legacy had they gone the opposite way.
Every Kentucky fan has their own iteration of this list; mine is simply the perspective of yet another blue and white diehard that has gone too long without the taste of a national title. Let's jump into the misery.
What Could've Been With Kentucky's 2020 Squad
This one may not seem so serious in the surface, but those of us who were there for the 2019-20 Wildcats understand just how devestating it was to see that squad be cut short by COVID-19 restrictions.
After suffering one of the worst losses in program history to Evansville at home, Kentucky went on to boast a 28-6 (15-3) record by the end of the season. That team would've been coming into the SEC Tournament hot off an 18-point comeback win over Florida on the road.
Instead, the rest of the season was canceled and the world locked down. That team had a real chance to be special, and from there on out, John Calipari never replicated the same magic again.
Nearly Three-Peating Between 1996-98
Complaining about losing one championship in the middle of two title wins is definitely a priveleged problem, but that's the nature of Kentucky basketball after all.
After defeating Syracuse (led by team captain Mark Pope in the previous year), Rick Pitino's Wildcats were looking for another trophy against Arizona in the 1997 season. The Wildcats from out west, spearheaded by 30 points from guard Miles Simon, won in overtime by just five points, 84-79.
Coach Pitino would then head to the NBA to call the shots for the Boston Celtics. Kentucky would immediately win the championship the next year under Tubby Smith, but the '97 season remains a question mark that may have led to the 2012 title being No. 9 instead of No. 8.
Missing Out on John Calipari's Last Real Chance at a Title
I hate to remind you of this one, but it's got an almost necessary spot on every list. The 38-0 Kentucky Wildcats falling to Wisconsin in the 2015 Final Four is some all-time "what if" material. That team would've become the undisuputed greatest of all time had they capped off their legendary run.
Instead, a 71-64 loss to ther Badgers doomed Karl-Anthony Towns and his previously flawless Cats to infamy. From that point forward, save for the occasional Elite Eight run, Coach Calipari never went back to the Final Four.
It's made worse that the status of this moment means it resurfaces just about every March. Again and again, as the program fails to get back to this stage, Kentucky fans are reminded of what happened the last time their time almost went all the way.
If I don't stop typing now, I'm going to cry.
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