28 years ago today UK defeats Duke for the F4

Sep 6, 2025
169
290
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We definitely prevented Duke from getting a title that year.

Probably a good thing Rick Majerus did us a favor and upset UNC in the Final Four as well. UNC had a crazy good team that year and there was no excuse for them to come up short of the title game. But that's Dean Smith for you.
 

UKWildcats1987

Heisman
Sep 9, 2021
19,679
34,316
113
We definitely prevented Duke from getting a title that year.

Probably a good thing Rick Majerus did us a favor and upset UNC in the Final Four as well. UNC had a crazy good team that year and there was no excuse for them to come up short of the title game. But that's Dean Smith for you.

And they eliminated Arizona before that.
 

rick64

Heisman
Jan 25, 2007
24,645
33,832
113
We were at a church party at a friend's house in Lexington. Everyone brought a covered dish. UK got down 17 and folks started leaving the room and getting the food setup for the meal. Only a few of us stayed with the game. UK started the comeback. Then everybody else came back into the room for the last few minutes. What a game!!
 

Ukwazoo3

All-Conference
Jul 6, 2025
627
1,336
93
I was there! One of the top moments in my life and easily the greatest game I've ever been to. Bratty kid behind me was a Duke "fan" and talking trash all game. He was in tears at the end. I hugged a lot of people I did not know.
 

JRCAT14

All-American
Sep 21, 2018
1,485
5,135
113
Makes me realize how freaking old I'm getting! Thanks for posting this. That was my all-time favorite non-title Kentucky game. Second place was the 1995 SEC Tournament Championship.
If you were there, do you agree with me that the atmosphere for that 95 SEC Championship including pregame was the best I have ever witnessed. Before the game, on the street outside the Georgia Dome, the Hog fans were on one side of the street and Big Blue on the other joined by each schools Pep bands and cheerleaders. Each crowd going at one another.
 

Catzman

Heisman
Apr 29, 2002
17,095
13,698
113
I was there! One of the top moments in my life and easily the greatest game I've ever been to. Bratty kid behind me was a Duke "fan" and talking trash all game. He was in tears at the end. I hugged a lot of people I did not know.
I was there also. I started rubbing my silver Kentucky commemorative coin when we were down 17 pts sitting around some very obnoxious Duke fans. Greatest game live in my 66 years!
 

Cowtown Cat

Heisman
Aug 23, 2015
23,984
54,389
100
And they eliminated Arizona before that.
Yes! Beat the absolute **** out of Arizona, and was the same exact team that won it in 1997. One of the luckiest individual teams ever. Had DA played, that title was ours! Arizona MADE twice as many free throws than what we even attempted. 41-17 attempted. It was 34 makes to 9 for UK. Unbelievable stat.
 

Cowtown Cat

Heisman
Aug 23, 2015
23,984
54,389
100
That 1998 team was the most resilient team since I’ve followed UK. Just an unbelievable will to win! Was an incredible run. Actually, incredible doesn’t even begin to describe it!
 

Cowtown Cat

Heisman
Aug 23, 2015
23,984
54,389
100
Yes! Beat the absolute **** out of Arizona, and was the same exact team that won it in 1997. One of the luckiest individual teams ever. Had DA played, that title was ours! Arizona MADE twice as many free throws than what we even attempted. 41-17 attempted. It was 34 makes to 9 for UK. Unbelievable stat.
That’s +25 from the free throw line, for those scoring at home. Absolutely insane that we were even able to take that game to OT. Speaking of OT, Arizona scored ALL TEN of their OT points from the free throw line. LMAO can’t make it up!
 

BigBlue_83

Senior
Dec 4, 2025
180
401
63
I like to occasionally go back and watch that game. Reminds me of a better time. Looks like I’ll be watching it again soon
 
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TALtruthatlast

Sophomore
Jan 18, 2008
104
110
32
“What’s he doing to Wojo”! 😅

If Duke wins that game and UNC beats Utah you’re looking at a UNC title. Duke despite that great roster didn’t matchup well with UNC that year. Antwan Jamison was the best player in the Country. Duke lost two of the three meetings by double digits, only squeaking out a 2 point win in Cameron Indoor and the Heels led by 17 in that game!