Nail on the head. Early Cal and Rick were as good as it got. Eff them both though for ruining it. Rick for giving into Joanne and Cal for getting fat and lazy. But man, if you’ve got the right guy that’s motivated as hell, that’s what it is.
Curious about head coach when you became a fan
- Thread starter Cliffhanger82
- Start date
The Laettner shot is unfortunately my first UK basketball memory. Only time I heard my mom cuss like a sailor. But what a treat to grow up during Pitino's run.
First actual games I attended was the SEC tournament in Memphis 1994. We beat Mississippi State on a Friday, eventual national champion Arkansas Saturday, and final four participant Florida on Sunday for the championship. We'd actually beaten 3 of that years final four participants. Brassow last second tip in won us the Maui tournament against Arizona, the 3rd final four participant.
First actual games I attended was the SEC tournament in Memphis 1994. We beat Mississippi State on a Friday, eventual national champion Arkansas Saturday, and final four participant Florida on Sunday for the championship. We'd actually beaten 3 of that years final four participants. Brassow last second tip in won us the Maui tournament against Arizona, the 3rd final four participant.
I went to a private college in 1974 and made friends with an older student from my hometown in Kentucky and had a roommate from Indiana. All I heard about was UK and IU basketball. The first game I remember watching was the semi-final game of the FF. From then on, I was hooked. To this day, I still hope IU loses every game.
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Joe B Hall and Luckly enough 1978 was my earliest memory of UK basketball. Good year to start watching as a child.
Pitino. And honestly the first game I really watched was the 92 duke game. Hanging out with my dad and his buddies. I was 8. My hatred of duke happened as soon as my fanhood did.
Moved to Lex shortly after this
miss Joe Bs and Two Keys
I may have my dates wrong but I think it was the 95 SEC tournament in Catlanta when I thought I was gonna die cheering. Against the Hogs. Rod Rhodes missing free throws and him breaking down in tears - overtime ,Corlis W fouling out? A bit of a blur now but that was the finest era for UK for me. Pitino won then broke my heart as fan but freaking fantastic times. We owned Atlanta then and my awe of the “Blue Mist” unparalleled.
I have early memories of watching games with my Granny and Pop, and growing up my best friend’s mom always had games on, so UK was a part of my upbringing. But the “fandom” kicked in for me with the 1992 Elite Eight vs Duke.
I agree with the sentiments above about Pitino and Cal. They were so incredibly successful during their time at UK. Who goes 17-1 in their conference tournaments, and the only year you ever lose you end up National Champion?
These two spoiled up with multiple, even back-to-back, Final Fours. Plus a Championship each. Many of us still have a difficult time settling for a Sweet Sixteen or Elite Eight ending.
Pitino chose to go out on top, while Cal—I’m sure—hoped post-season success would come again, although us fans grew restless. (btw: I am glad BBN doesn’t like to settle for mediocrity.) Cal set the barometer so high in his early years that it was hard to keep up in the last four post-seasons.
My first sports memory, as a diehard fan of anything, was as a nine-year-old Kentucky fan on March 28, 1992. If you know, you know.
I hate Duke as much as I love Kentucky basketball.
I hate Duke as much as I love Kentucky basketball.
My first Kentucky basketball memory was the Laettner shot. So, Pitino. I recently had my daughter watch the ‘92 game. She was cheering so hard against Duke last weekend. 
Though I know I watched prior to it, my earliest basketball memory is my Dad cussing just about everything the 1988-1989 team did under Sutton. And most of us know what came later in the spring of 89. I hadn't paid much attention before that and it took Travis Ford (of all people) transferring to UK before I actually bought into being a full fledged UK fan as a kid. My parents were pretty close with his family so it felt like a big brother, or cousin going to play for UK at the time.
So you probably remember Vernon Hatton. I played against him in Church ball in 1979.
Rupp for me too. First team I reallly remember was the Issel/Pratt team then Tom Parker/Jim Andrews/Ronnie Lyons. Tom was my favorite because of being a lefty. Remember the Jacksonville loss was a tough one to take, thought we were gonna with the title for sure that year. Artist just too much and Issell got in foul trouble I believe. Only met Adolph one time the year after he retired in Memorial Coliseum when he was signing autographs. I was just kid and said something along the lines of "They shouldnt have made you quit coach" and he said, "Well thank ya son".
Would be surprised if you said something else. That was literally my experience to a T. I just turned 50 a while back.
71-72 Kentucky freshmen (The Super Kittens) went undefeated. They had Grevey, Conner, Flynn, and Guyette who went on to finish national runners up in their senior season ( got “Woodened” in the finals).I was born in 67. I vaguely remember my dad talking about Rupp retiring but the 75 team is the first one I remember well. So I guess Joe B. Hall is the first coach I can really relate to.