Great moments of my life, my mother had ALS and passed away in May of 98 I remember that national championship run for the Cats it was bittersweet but the great moment of that run is when at the end of the Duke game, my mom couldn't walk or talk but when we beat Duke, she scream WE GOT EM!!!! Brought tears to my eyes back then and now outta of happiness, all I gotta say is GO BIG BLUE!!!!!!
It was my first year at UK too. I had some friends who lived one block from the corner of Woodland & Euclid. During the game, you'd look outside and it was like an abandoned ghost town. No cars, no people... The second Avery's shot hit the floor, we all ran out of the house and into the street, and as we ran down Euclid, everyone was flying out of their houses, hugging and high-fiving people they'd never seen before. It was complete hysteria!! My favorite UK Basketball moment of all-time.
I remember this game like it was yesterday. Wanted revenge so bad for '92. One of those where you remember where you were at and what you were doing that day. Cameron Mills will forever have a place in Kentucky fan's hearts. Scott Padgett was flat out The Man! And both are Ky boys!
MAN O MAN...The game that let me know as a kid that, The Game Isn't Over Until Its Over. I was so upset shooting basketball outside by myself with all of my family and relatives inside watching another classic in the making, watching with hope and faith while i was so hopeless and full of tears ready to explode from my eyes at any given moment thinking our season was done. Then came that moment I never saw coming. A huge roar exploded from the living room of my grandmas basement. I was first startled, then I realized, that was a happy roar. Something good has happened I thought as I threw the ball down, ran inside to a room full of emotion and eyes lit up with each individual side bar being blurted out loud. "That a boy Mills," is what stuck out the most to me. I sat down and I watched on until my heroes at that particular time in my life prevailed. I remember feeling so guilty for giving up on them. I felt like such a piece of crap for acting the way I did. But you can bet your ass I never gave up on the Cats again after that, well, outside of the Billy Gillespie era atleast. What a great memory that seems closer than it does long ago. At that age, I couldn't imagine my life without sports. I really can't.
The comeback at LSU. That was the first time I saw my dad give up. I was young and stupid. I stayed up and watched. Would have never dreamed we'd win. But I couldn't give up. The next morning there was only one other kid in the highschool that knew we won. He's currently the head of trauma at UK hospital. I weld pipe, Lol
one of the last games my mom watch before she passed away she was in tears of happiness cause she remember 92 n i was lil n i was crushed when uk loss she gave me a big hug and this game i gave her a big hug and say we did it. GO BIG BLUE
cameron lives down the street from me, i brought this shot up to him a few months ago, was cool to see him light up when he talked about it. Revenge was sweet
A lot of Kentucky "fans" like to give Tubby Smith a hard time, but the fact is he coaches these guys to a national title, something hundreds of Division I coaches haven't done.
As a UK fan, Tubby was not awful, and as a fan we owe him a debt of gratitude - we had a lot of teams with great individual players and haven't quite won; we have teams with a lot of good players - and played as a team and have pulled it off (please note, this goes for the other programs too). Imagine Rondo staying one more year, Morris not looking for the NBA, Anderson not getting hurt, etc., etc. the content of the team is more important than any one player - ask Michael Jordan. GO Cats!
i wasn't there that day, but I WAS at the UK versus U of L football game last year when Andre hit Johnson for the last second td. I think the eruption of the UK crowd when Cameron hit the three pointer is the only thing that could come close to the eruption of the crowd when Johnson scored the touchdown.
I don't think we get enough credit for this comeback. You never hear about it during tourny time. How about a highlight of the Padgett or Mills three during the intro to games during the tourny, like they show other big shots from previous tournys.
I was driving down I64 while they were playing this game. My wife asked me to set the cruse control because I was going like 80 trying to get back in time to see the game. I forgot to get the luggage out of the car, I just ran in and turned on the T.V. How long till UK has title #8?
The morale of this story is Kentucky came back from almost 20 point's down to a Duke team that everyone had talked up all year, and stuck it up their ass. God evened the playing field that night for the 92 game.
Isn't this St. Petersburgh, where they'd lose to UConn next year (1999)? Tough to watch those endings. In a way this one was worse, even though next years team was the best collegiate team I've ever seen......At least you could see it coming.
that's exactly the problem. We still get top recruits on the perimeter, (albeit less athletic also) but can't snag a decent big man.....we aren't great at developing them either. I remember when we won it in '01, coach K said that boozer would be the #1 option in '02...........that didn't happen, and I wonder if these guys feel they will be featured if they come to Duke..........when we have a "good" big man, he gets to the final four before leaving Duke....
I know a lot of Kentucky fans and every one of them has said that this game meant more to them then the eventual national title they won two games later.
As you know by now recruiting is started well before a players senior year in High School. Tubby was recruiting Patterson before he left and UK was #1 on Pattersons short list. When Billy G came in Patterson opened all recruiting up again. With the work Tubby put in and Billy G recruiting he was able to sign Patterson. Please know what your talking about before you respond to an comment! UK fan and Blind Faith go together well.
I remember listening to this game on the radio.. My first year driving a truck and I was heading up the East Coast toward New Jersey, and none other than Reds great Marty Brenneman was calling the play-by-play! That and the fact that UK pulled the iron out of the fire before it was too late made it all the more memorable!
Unreal, I know. I'm a die-hard Kentucky fan and it amazes me to hear some of these clowns complain about having a 7th national championship rather than 6 because of "players" that were recruited by so and so. I'm pretty sure Roy Williams won his 2005 titls at UNC with all of Matt Dorehty's players. Do you hear any of them complaining? Didn't think so.
Agree 100% but Tubby issue wasnt coaching to me his issue was recruting and developing players but Tubby was a very high caliber coach especially on the defensive side! In my opinion! With that said you have to be able to do all those things well to win a title! This team was great defensively and Tubby coached at top notch in this tourney but he just never was a great recruiter and the great class he had they didnt develop at all, only Rondo once he got to the NBA and run but under Tubby he made him slow down way to much!!!
I think the 96 KY team was good, so was the 98 team but I think the uk team that won it all this past year is by far the best especially considering the fact that they were all freshmen and sophomores and still won it
Still think I had no idea of what I was talking about? No blind faith here! Was just stating the obvious facts. But even I have to say Calipari is a great hire!
Yeah and Gillispie was also here for two years. Tubby had 10 years to win with his own players and failed to make the final four once. How do you not make the final four with azubuike, fitch, daniels, and hayes? gillispie wasn't awful he just had a rough personality.
for me it was EVERY WAY REVENGE!! First of all none of Uk players stomped on any duke players and then hit a game winner. we were 2nd seed against 1st seed again,the differance was duke wasnt reigning champ. and coack K(whom i respect, ) had never lost an elite 8 game before. and this game led to ANOTHER championship !!!!!
@walterlv01 Perhaps a good point but I'd hardly call the FF an anticlimax. The game UK had with Stanford was perhaps just as draining as this one and UK had to rally big time against Utah in the final game. Just a great tourney with some old guard teams (UK, Duke, UNC) and a fun mix of teams you don't see in the FF all that often like Stanford and Utah.
Cameron Mills!!! Padgett's shot was good but Cameron's 3 was big at that time because they fought back and played so tough and his 3 took a lil out of Duke
I agree but I loved it when Padgett mocked laettners 92 shot after he hit that big 3 late in the game by running down the court screaming like laettner did in 92 he even admitted to it #BBN
@madmac993 I'm a UK fan but your correct Duke has been the most successful program the past two decades there is really no comparison. I have a lot of respect for coach K. I think a lot of people hate Duke because of the media they bombard you with it just like they do with the Yankee's.
@GreenDay1981 I didn't think we were going to beat Ohio St., but I was dead wrong! If we can beat Ohio St., I think we can beat anybody. You think we can beat UNC?
Just checking back... How did you enjoy last season? I sure did enjoy it as predicted. Mitch finally got it right this time. Calipari should be successful. The fans started to see with their eyes and not their hearts and had to speak up. I have to say it... Common sense is the way of winners... Blind faith is for suckers! Good Luck.
I have had a drink before but I don't have an DUI/DWI unlike Billy who has a couple. I also don't get sloppy drunk at Merrick Inn or The Supper Club "and I do mean SLOPPY!" I also have never had the Cheif of police tell me to calm down or take my drunk ass home. I don't hit on or sleep with my friend of coworkers girlfriends. You are right about one thing I am a UK hater and I enjoyed last year and have a feeling I am going to enjoy the Next 5!
He also know how to take a 41 point blowout loss to Vandy!!! Stupid substitution like waiting to play injured stars when your losing by 30 in the second half. Good luck with Billy G the new local drunk. Also players beware don't leave your girlfriend around coach!!! Playa Playa!!!
It would have been very interesting how the FF would have played out had Kentucky not completed the comeback. Duke/Stanford.... who knows how that plays out? And considering Utah had a Kentucyk hex..... would have been interesting.
Utterly glorious. Then, now, forever
Great moments of my life, my mother had ALS and passed away in May of 98 I remember that national championship run for the Cats it was bittersweet but the great moment of that run is when at the end of the Duke game, my mom couldn't walk or talk but when we beat Duke, she scream WE GOT EM!!!! Brought tears to my eyes back then and now outta of happiness, all I gotta say is GO BIG BLUE!!!!!!
💙💙💙
Sweet! She got to go out happy.
Legend
Every Kentucky-Duke tourney game is historic.
As a Kentucky fan it seems all we're left with is memories....
It was my first year at UK too. I had some friends who lived one block from the corner of Woodland & Euclid. During the game, you'd look outside and it was like an abandoned ghost town. No cars, no people... The second Avery's shot hit the floor, we all ran out of the house and into the street, and as we ran down Euclid, everyone was flying out of their houses, hugging and high-fiving people they'd never seen before. It was complete hysteria!! My favorite UK Basketball moment of all-time.
I remember this game like it was yesterday. Wanted revenge so bad for '92. One of those where you remember where you were at and what you were doing that day. Cameron Mills will forever have a place in Kentucky fan's hearts. Scott Padgett was flat out The Man! And both are Ky boys!
Kentucky-Duke is a Classic Matchup
Comeback Cats I remember this like it was yesterday
MAN O MAN...The game that let me know as a kid that, The Game Isn't Over Until Its Over. I was so upset shooting basketball outside by myself with all of my family and relatives inside watching another classic in the making, watching with hope and faith while i was so hopeless and full of tears ready to explode from my eyes at any given moment thinking our season was done. Then came that moment I never saw coming. A huge roar exploded from the living room of my grandmas basement. I was first startled, then I realized, that was a happy roar. Something good has happened I thought as I threw the ball down, ran inside to a room full of emotion and eyes lit up with each individual side bar being blurted out loud. "That a boy Mills," is what stuck out the most to me. I sat down and I watched on until my heroes at that particular time in my life prevailed. I remember feeling so guilty for giving up on them. I felt like such a piece of crap for acting the way I did. But you can bet your ass I never gave up on the Cats again after that, well, outside of the Billy Gillespie era atleast. What a great memory that seems closer than it does long ago. At that age, I couldn't imagine my life without sports. I really can't.
The comeback at LSU. That was the first time I saw my dad give up. I was young and stupid. I stayed up and watched. Would have never dreamed we'd win. But I couldn't give up. The next morning there was only one other kid in the highschool that knew we won. He's currently the head of trauma at UK hospital. I weld pipe, Lol
My Favorite UK game ever!!!
one of the last games my mom watch before she passed away she was in tears of happiness cause she remember 92 n i was lil n i was crushed when uk loss she gave me a big hug and this game i gave her a big hug and say we did it. GO BIG BLUE
I chewed my fingers off during this game. Payback was so sweet.
cameron lives down the street from me, i brought this shot up to him a few months ago, was cool to see him light up when he talked about it. Revenge was sweet
A lot of Kentucky "fans" like to give Tubby Smith a hard time, but the fact is he coaches these guys to a national title, something hundreds of Division I coaches haven't done.
I love Kentucky basketball
Kentucky's in the top ten Recruiting class. And Minnesota's Recruiting class is number 22according to Rivals.
Duke players leaving without shaking hands. Classy as always. Too bad. I wanted to see Wojo's face when his career ended.
As a UK fan, Tubby was not awful, and as a fan we owe him a debt of gratitude - we had a lot of teams with great individual players and haven't quite won; we have teams with a lot of good players - and played as a team and have pulled it off (please note, this goes for the other programs too). Imagine Rondo staying one more year, Morris not looking for the NBA, Anderson not getting hurt, etc., etc. the content of the team is more important than any one player - ask Michael Jordan. GO Cats!
i wasn't there that day, but I WAS at the UK versus U of L football game last year when Andre hit Johnson for the last second td. I think the eruption of the UK crowd when Cameron hit the three pointer is the only thing that could come close to the eruption of the crowd when Johnson scored the touchdown.
@TheUKwildcats12 and 2011 and 2012 and 2013...and 2043 and 2044..and 2099 and 2100 and many more!
Still love watching clips of this win. Great group of players and Tubby was masterful in his 2nd half coaching.
2011 baby
I don't think we get enough credit for this comeback. You never hear about it during tourny time. How about a highlight of the Padgett or Mills three during the intro to games during the tourny, like they show other big shots from previous tournys.
hard to believe that the Duke team of Langdon, Avery, McCloud, Battier, Brand didn't win a title in 98 and then in 99 when they had Corey Maggette.
I was driving down I64 while they were playing this game. My wife asked me to set the cruse control because I was going like 80 trying to get back in time to see the game. I forgot to get the luggage out of the car, I just ran in and turned on the T.V. How long till UK has title #8?
In my opinion...the Mills 3 pointer is the single greatest shot in the history of UK basketball.
@ukwildcater Duke won the National Championship in 1992. It was there second in a row.
The morale of this story is Kentucky came back from almost 20 point's down to a Duke team that everyone had talked up all year, and stuck it up their ass. God evened the playing field that night for the 92 game.
was lamar odom on that RI team?
Isn't this St. Petersburgh, where they'd lose to UConn next year (1999)? Tough to watch those endings. In a way this one was worse, even though next years team was the best collegiate team I've ever seen......At least you could see it coming.
Not a Kentucky fan, always thought Scott Padgett was one of the most clutch performers in College Hoops who didn't get his proper due.
@OrangeSodaKing I had totally forgotten that they were called that in '98. Good times indeed.
this game meant more to me than winning the NCAA championship that year! Go Big Blue!!!
that's exactly the problem. We still get top recruits on the perimeter, (albeit less athletic also) but can't snag a decent big man.....we aren't great at developing them either. I remember when we won it in '01, coach K said that boozer would be the #1 option in '02...........that didn't happen, and I wonder if these guys feel they will be featured if they come to Duke..........when we have a "good" big man, he gets to the final four before leaving Duke....
I know a lot of Kentucky fans and every one of them has said that this game meant more to them then the eventual national title they won two games later.
maybe my favorite game of all time .. not counting the championships... GOT REVENGE ON THAT PUKE FOR 92
As you know by now recruiting is started well before a players senior year in High School. Tubby was recruiting Patterson before he left and UK was #1 on Pattersons short list. When Billy G came in Patterson opened all recruiting up again. With the work Tubby put in and Billy G recruiting he was able to sign Patterson. Please know what your talking about before you respond to an comment! UK fan and Blind Faith go together well.
final four will be kanas kentucky and north carolins andduke
By far my favorite UK team. I was a senior in High School and one of the greatest years of my life. Unbelievable!
Cameron Mills hit 2 3 pointers for the Cats to overcome Duke. Also, redemption from Laettner in 92. What a Win for The Cats!!!!
At the same place in Saint Pete.
I remember listening to this game on the radio.. My first year driving a truck and I was heading up the East Coast toward New Jersey, and none other than Reds great Marty Brenneman was calling the play-by-play! That and the fact that UK pulled the iron out of the fire before it was too late made it all the more memorable!
And now we're back!
Revenge is a dish best served cold.
Yeah I know. Neither Have I. Neither have Duke students. Wonder why?
Hell yeah they own! One of the greatest moments in college b-ball history.
The real dream game
Duke is a good basketball tradition but Kentucky was, is and will always be the king of college basketball.
Unreal, I know. I'm a die-hard Kentucky fan and it amazes me to hear some of these clowns complain about having a 7th national championship rather than 6 because of "players" that were recruited by so and so. I'm pretty sure Roy Williams won his 2005 titls at UNC with all of Matt Dorehty's players. Do you hear any of them complaining?
Didn't think so.
Tubby out coached K here, fact.
you are on dope.
Tubby absolutely outcoached k especially in crunch time
K is obviously the better overall coach but in this game Tubby absolutely picked K’s team and his strategy apart in that second half.
Agree 100% but Tubby issue wasnt coaching to me his issue was recruting and developing players but Tubby was a very high caliber coach especially on the defensive side! In my opinion! With that said you have to be able to do all those things well to win a title! This team was great defensively and Tubby coached at top notch in this tourney but he just never was a great recruiter and the great class he had they didnt develop at all, only Rondo once he got to the NBA and run but under Tubby he made him slow down way to much!!!
Payback is sweet
@GreenDay1981 Who are you picking to win the UK/Uconn game? I, for once, am picking the Wildcats.
I think the 96 KY team was good, so was the 98 team but I think the uk team that won it all this past year is by far the best especially considering the fact that they were all freshmen and sophomores and still won it
What a great team! That '98 team was all heart. I love Kentucky!
Nobody going to mention the ankle breaker Wojo put on at 2:41 sheesh. That traction was super sticky in the 90s
Still think I had no idea of what I was talking about? No blind faith here! Was just stating the obvious facts. But even I have to say Calipari is a great hire!
wow, 1st basket of the tournament, biggest show in his life
any chance anyone can post the highlights starting at 9:30 left in the second half? that'll show em down by 17. oh what a comeback
Pretty soon Billy is gonna win championships. He will not only win 1 but two. I know it.
Yeah and Gillispie was also here for two years. Tubby had 10 years to win with his own players and failed to make the final four once. How do you not make the final four with azubuike, fitch, daniels, and hayes? gillispie wasn't awful he just had a rough personality.
my facts are straight. uk 11 duke 8
At least coach K. had some respect to go shake the UK players hands after the game. His team left the floor like a bunch of babies.
Go Big Blue Yeah
Mrs. Coach K looks really scary
@CellarDoor06 We're taking it all the way. The only way we lose to UCONN is if we don't show up to play and I don't that being the case.
for me it was EVERY WAY REVENGE!! First of all none of Uk players stomped on any duke players and then hit a game winner. we were 2nd seed against 1st seed again,the differance was duke wasnt reigning champ. and coack K(whom i respect, ) had never lost an elite 8 game before. and this game led to ANOTHER championship !!!!!
Duke sure hates playing at Tropicana Field. One year later they lost to UCONN in NCAA title.
@walterlv01
Perhaps a good point but I'd hardly call the FF an anticlimax. The game UK had with Stanford was perhaps just as draining as this one and UK had to rally big time against Utah in the final game. Just a great tourney with some old guard teams (UK, Duke, UNC) and a fun mix of teams you don't see in the FF all that often like Stanford and Utah.
Cameron Mills!!! Padgett's shot was good but Cameron's 3 was big at that time because they fought back and played so tough and his 3 took a lil out of Duke
I agree but I loved it when Padgett mocked laettners 92 shot after he hit that big 3 late in the game by running down the court screaming like laettner did in 92 he even admitted to it #BBN
Jeff shepherd...hof..
Tubby...hof..
Padgett...hof..
Turner....hof..
Evans....hof..
You're damned right.
Go Big BLUE!
Tubby completely outcoached K. This was so sweet!!!
Yes Tubby was a much better coach than people gave him credit for! He did a great job with this team.
@madmac993 I'm a UK fan but your correct Duke has been the most successful program the past two decades there is really no comparison. I have a lot of respect for coach K. I think a lot of people hate Duke because of the media they bombard you with it just like they do with the Yankee's.
i wanted blue and white to win....
In some ways, Kentucky got revenge on Duke six years after 1992
@wildcat1171 actually ole ricky i the reason we dont have 8 titles in 1997
Yayyyy!!! We won! Okay, so it was '98. I still enjoy it!
Duke came back wth a beast squad next year, but still got bumped by UCONN In the final, ha ha ha
@Majesticon let me your are from north carolina right?
@GreenDay1981 I didn't think we were going to beat Ohio St., but I was dead wrong! If we can beat Ohio St., I think we can beat anybody. You think we can beat UNC?
@KWCline91 i think u call it even at least bc uk got a nat'l championship, i dont remember if duke won the title that year
I was at this game when I was 9 months old. Damn I wish I could remember it
take that Puke Blue Teddys
Just checking back... How did you enjoy last season? I sure did enjoy it as predicted. Mitch finally got it right this time. Calipari should be successful. The fans started to see with their eyes and not their hearts and had to speak up. I have to say it... Common sense is the way of winners... Blind faith is for suckers! Good Luck.
Coach K rarely gets out coached, but it happened this night, tubby not calling timeouts until the very end was genius
One of best moments in my life!
Tubby is a great coach. I think Cal will be good for the program. A perfect combo of both guys would be great.
Mills!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If that team had stuck around, it'd have been total domination!
I have had a drink before but I don't have an DUI/DWI unlike Billy who has a couple. I also don't get sloppy drunk at Merrick Inn or The Supper Club "and I do mean SLOPPY!" I also have never had the Cheif of police tell me to calm down or take my drunk ass home. I don't hit on or sleep with my friend of coworkers girlfriends. You are right about one thing I am a UK hater and I enjoyed last year and have a feeling I am going to enjoy the Next 5!
agrreeeeeed!
100%
He also know how to take a 41 point blowout loss to Vandy!!! Stupid substitution like waiting to play injured stars when your losing by 30 in the second half. Good luck with Billy G the new local drunk. Also players beware don't leave your girlfriend around coach!!! Playa Playa!!!
LOVE this shot from Mills! I actually have an autographed photo of this from Mills himself!
Actually UK 11 Duke 8.
@hometownboy84 i hate duke
but i respect coach k and all his work
Classic
COACH K IS GREAT.
BUT THIS GAME DID NOT INCLUDE ANY STOMPING AND UK WON!!!!
THANKS TUBBY !!
UK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PUKE...COUGH...COUGH
NO ONE GOT STOMPED ON.
UK WINS!!!
It would have been very interesting how the FF would have played out had Kentucky not completed the comeback.
Duke/Stanford.... who knows how that plays out?
And considering Utah had a Kentucyk hex..... would have been interesting.