Best team to not win title?

[Tubbyfan78]

Just curious as to who you guys think we’re the best 5 teams who didn’t when a title. I’m 41 so anything pre 88’ really doesn’t register for me. So I’ll go; thoughts?

1. UNLV (Larry Johnson team)
2. 2015 UK
3. Cincy (Kenyon Martin team)
4. 1998 UNC
5. 1997 Kansas

 

[4Frusciante#]

Your top two were the 1st two that came into my mind.

 

[wcc31]

Since the 90s:

1. 1991 UNLV
2. 2015 Kentucky
3. 1999 Duke

 

[ScottGreene22]

97 CATS 10 CATS

 

[Tubbyfan78]

Since the 90s:

1. 1991 UNLV
2. 2015 Kentucky
3. 1999 Duke

99’ Duke was my first team off. Honestly could have easily had them 4 or 5.

 

[Patriot202]

UK 2015
UK 2010
UNLV 91
Duke 99
Kansas 97

come to mind

 

[fs-ripcord65]

This is a no-brainer. The 2015 U.K. team is so far superior to any other team that didn't win the title that there's really no point in listing five teams. Anybody who knows anything about college basketball knows that the top twelve (12) players on that team constituted the best entire roster of any college basketball team ever assembled.

That's not to say that the 2015 U.K. team was "the best college basketball team ever - period", because you can only put five players on the floor at a time. But the 2015 U.K. team was by far the best team playing NCAA basketball that year, and Calipari ought to be in jail for getting so badly outcoached in the day before and during the Final Game by the woefully ordinary Wisconsin head coach Bo Ryan.

Unfortunately, Shakespeare suggested, the past is often prologue. Let us hope not.

Nevertheless ... Go 'Cats ! ! !

 

[Tubbyfan78]

This is a no-brainer. The 2015 U.K. team is so far superior to any other team that didn't win the title that there's really no point in listing five teams. Anybody who knows anything about college basketball knows that the top twelve (12) players on that team constituted the best entire roster of any college basketball team ever assembled.

That's not to say that the 2015 U.K. team was "the best college basketball team ever - period", because you can only put five players on the floor at a time. But the 2015 U.K. team was by far the best team playing NCAA basketball that year, and Calipari ought to be in jail for getting so badly outcoached in the day before and during the Final Game by the woefully ordinary Wisconsin head coach Bo Ryan.

Unfortunately, Shakespeare suggested, the past is often prologue. Let us hope not.

Nevertheless ... Go 'Cats ! ! !

I appreciate your response but really don’t want this to turn into a 2015 bash thread. I know the conversation will inevitably lead there but was hoping for some back and forth with other teams too.

 

[dlh331]

All time:
1. 1975 IU
2. 1954 UK
3. 1991 UNLV
4. 1999 Duke
5. 2015 UK
6. 1961 Ohio State
7. 1985 Georgetown

 

[JC CATS]

97 CATS 10 CATS

15 Cats? 70 Cats, telling my age now.

 

[chroix]

I seem to remember the 2013 Louisville Cardinals we’re pretty good and got really close but in the end couldn’t seal the deal.

 

[Ugoff]

nm

 

[RunninRichie]

I seem to remember the 2013 Louisville Cardinals we’re pretty good and got really close but in the end couldn’t seal the deal.

They sealed the deal all right. Sealed the cash envelopes to Katina Powell, Wayne Blackshear and Brian Bowen.

 

[plaxico80]

IU ‘75.

c’mon.

 

[blubo]

Just curious as to who you guys think we’re the best 5 teams who didn’t when a title. I’m 41 so anything pre 88’ really doesn’t register for me. So I’ll go; thoughts?

1. UNLV (Larry Johnson team)
2. 2015 UK
3. Cincy (Kenyon Martin team)
4. 1998 UNC
5. 1997 Kansas

2 and 3 for sure. i was watching that uc team play when martin broke his leg. they were clicking on all cylinders up to that point. and the 2015 team, what’s left say about that.

 

[ruppcat]

This is a no-brainer. The 2015 U.K. team is so far superior to any other team that didn't win the title that there's really no point in listing five teams. Anybody who knows anything about college basketball knows that the top twelve (12) players on that team constituted the best entire roster of any college basketball team ever assembled.

That's not to say that the 2015 U.K. team was "the best college basketball team ever - period", because you can only put five players on the floor at a time. But the 2015 U.K. team was by far the best team playing NCAA basketball that year, and Calipari ought to be in jail for getting so badly outcoached in the day before and during the Final Game by the woefully ordinary Wisconsin head coach Bo Ryan.

Unfortunately, Shakespeare suggested, the past is often prologue. Let us hope not.

Nevertheless ... Go 'Cats ! ! !

Anybody who knows anything about college basketball knows that the top twelve (12) players on that team constituted the best entire roster of any college basketball team ever assembled.<p>*****<p>
The 96 team says what???

 

[ruppcat]

Not even close to accurate.
Kentucky was a 4.5 point favorite in that game —hardly the biggest upset in tournament history.

Wisconsin was a #1 seed with four players on the team that reached the NBA, including the AP and Wooden player of the year and Sam Dekker, who was a very difficult match-up for Kentucky minus Poythress.

Wisconsin had played in the Final Four the previous year, was far more experienced overall than Kentucky and had a revenge factor after losing to UK in the Final Four the year before.

If Kentucky had lost an overtime game to Ole Miss or a Double OT game to Texas A&M or a game at LSU that came down to a final shot —in other words in the Cats were 36-2 instead of 38-0 — that game against Wisconsin would be seen as that a mild upset. Nothing more.

Ah the Poythress myth lives on like the Bogan's myth.

UK, according to one poster, had 12 guys that were pro-bound....Poythress got hurt in December. UK did just fine without him.

I mean that leaves 11 guys....how many do we need to win??

 

[Aike]

That 2002 Duke team deserves an honorable mention, at least. It was a lot of fun to watch them lose.

 

[ruppcat]

Go back and read everything experts wrote before that game. Read the betting lines and the Vegas analysis. Kentucky was a 4-5 point favorite. The pre-game commentary predicted a close game.

If Kentucky 2015 was “so far superior to any other team to not win the title” why were they not as big a favorite as 1985 Georgetown for example, or 1991 UNLV? Or Duke 1999? Or Oklahoma 1988?

To be clear...I didn't say UK was far superior to any other team not to win the title. That was another poster.

 

[HagginHall1999]

After what '19 Duke did to us I'd have to toss their name in the hat. Like him or not Zion was the most transcendent player since AD. If he doesn't get hurt I find it hard to believe they don't win the title.

 

[ruppcat]

After what '19 Duke did to us I'd have to toss their name in the hat. Like him or not Zion was the most transcendent player since AD. If he doesn't get hurt I find it hard to believe they don't win the title.

They almost lost to UCF IIRC.....got bailed out by the Zebras again.

Zion is the most overrated player IMHO. Plus, the dude choked it by giving up the shot at the end of the game. He didn't want the big stage.

 

[HagginHall1999]

There are several teams that due to injury didn't win it. '97 UK, UC Kenyon year '00?, many others

 

[assistbyhawkins]

Have to give a mention to 1983 Houston team with a Olajuwon and Drexler.

 

[true-blue1]

All time:
1. 1975 IU
2. 1954 UK
3. 1991 UNLV
4. 1999 Duke
5. 2015 UK
6. 1961 Ohio State
7. 1985 Georgetown

This!!!

 

[BigCat241]

They almost lost to UCF IIRC.....got bailed out by the Zebras again.

Zion is the most overrated player IMHO. Plus, the dude choked it by giving up the shot at the end of the game. He didn't want the big stage.

Zion being the most overrated player? Cmon... we all obviously dont like Duke but that is just a terrible take.

 

[Kerwinwaltonsafro]

Just curious as to who you guys think we’re the best 5 teams who didn’t when a title. I’m 41 so anything pre 88’ really doesn’t register for me. So I’ll go; thoughts?

1. UNLV (Larry Johnson team)
2. 2015 UK
3. Cincy (Kenyon Martin team)
4. 1998 UNC
5. 1997 Kansas

I'd take 1984 UNC over 1998. Jordan, Perkins, and Kenny Smith seemed like title locks until Kenny got hurt.

That 1998 UNC team suffered from losing Dean Smith. Bill Guthridge was a good man, but he mismanaged the heck out of that '98 squad.

 

[UK90]

Just curious as to who you guys think we’re the best 5 teams who didn’t when a title. I’m 41 so anything pre 88’ really doesn’t register for me. So I’ll go; thoughts?

1. UNLV (Larry Johnson team)
2. 2015 UK
3. Cincy (Kenyon Martin team)
4. 1998 UNC
5. 1997 Kansas

99 Duke has to be in there somewhere. They were only one last second shot away from going undefeated in the regular season (to Cincy in the Alaskan shootout title), went unbeaten in a stacked ACC, and reached the title game.

Also 05 Illinois. Also only a last second shot away from going undefeated against a killer schedule, crushed most teams, and reached the title game. And one of the funnest teams to watch ever.

And the all time winner (if you drop the "post-88 criteria") is 75 Indiana. It's a joy to to recall why they came up short. Other "pre-88" obvious ones that come to mind are 85 Georgetown, 84 North Carolina and 83 Houston.

 

[UK90]

After what '19 Duke did to us I'd have to toss their name in the hat. Like him or not Zion was the most transcendent player since AD. If he doesn't get hurt I find it hard to believe they don't win the title.

That Duke team didn't even win the ACC, as Virginia beat em out by two full games (and, of course, UVa also won the national title that year). I refuse to consider a team that failed to win its conference for this status.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

Your top two were the 1st two that came into my mind.

Amazingly, duke won the title in both of those years. Seems like Vegas was heavily involved in both instances. Yet some people want to claim they don’t get preferential treatment, Vegas or not.

 

[fatguy87]

'99 Duke and '91 UNLV are the two best teams to not win the title while I've been alive. UConn, 33-2 and a 1 seed, was a 9.5 point underdog in their upset of Duke in '99 title game.

 

[HagginHall1999]

That Duke team didn't even win the ACC, as Virginia beat em out by two full games (and, of course, UVa also won the national title that year). I refuse to consider a team that failed to win its conference for this status.

I am with you...just throwing out other options. They had two losses prior to his injury. My point is they would have been the heavy favorite if he was never hurt.

 

[mrdavisanddd]

I'd have to put the 84 Cats on the list that was a very good team.

 

[LowCountryCat]

I agree with UK 2015, but also don't forget 2005 Illinois, 37-2. Started the season 29-0 and lost in the title game to UNC**. Voted by Sports Illustrated in 2014 as best team to not win a title.

 

[kyjeff1]

2008 UNC.
Just throwing out some fresh meat. That team certainly wouldn’t qualify for top 5 in this topic, but they were the title favorite that year with a stacked roster. Kansas blew their doors off in the tournament, but they only had 2 losses on the season.

 

[FtWorthCat]

As far compared to the other teams that season, it is 2010 Kentucky. We were far and away the best team in the country that season. If we had played best 4 of 7 against WVU, we would have won 4-1.

The 2015 team was better than the 2010 team, but Wisconsin and Duke were really good that year too. So I'm not sure that we would have beaten Duke had we gotten past Wisconsin. Notre Dame damn near shot us down in the 8.

The overall best team in my memory that didn't win though was 1975 Indiana. They were better in 1975 than in 1976, when they did go undefeated. Our upset of them is the best game I've ever seen a Kentucky team play. Keep in mind though that Scott May, college Player of the Year, was trying to play with a broken arm in that one.

 

[Dr.LutherSan]

That 2010 Kansas squad was pretty solid.

 

[FtWorthCat]

I really liked the St. John's teams with Walter Berry, Chris Mullin, Mark Jackson and Bill Wennington as well. If not for G'town, they probably would have won a title.

 

[kyjeff1]

As far compared to the other teams that season, it is 2010 Kentucky. We were far and away the best team in the country that season. If we had played best 4 of 7 against WVU, we would have won 4-1.

The 2015 team was better than the 2010 team, but Wisconsin and Duke were really good that year too. So I'm not sure that we would have beaten Duke had we gotten past Wisconsin. Notre Dame damn near shot us down in the 8.

The overall best team in my memory that didn't win though was 1975 Indiana. They were better in 1975 than in 1976, when they did go undefeated. Our upset of them is the best game I've ever seen a Kentucky team play. Keep in mind though that Scott May, college Player of the Year, was trying to play with a broken arm in that one.

I think that 2015 Notre Dame team is really being overlooked. They were really clicking when we played them. They beat duke 2 out if 3 times that season, the second win was in the ACCT by 10 points and it really wasn't that close.

Yeah, having to play Wisconsin was a bad break, but we had them beat, all we had to do was keep playing instead of going to stall ball. Just get the ball down low to KAT and we win. It's the way we lost that really stunk.

We were better than duke that year, I have no doubt we win the title if we beat Wiscy.

 

[FtWorthCat]

I hate to use it as an excuse, but I believe that the pressure of trying to go undefeated was really mounting and affecting the 2015 team in the tournament too.

 

[BourbonBalz]

I still think it’s our 2010 team. That team was better than 2015 in my opinion.