Kentucky's Top 10 NCAA Tournament Games of the John Calipari Era

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Well BBN, it’s officially that time. You know, the middle of the off-season. The saddest, darkest time of year. Every Kentucky basketball fan’s worst nightmare. But fret not – it’ll be back before you know it. Right now, we are sitting at 252 days until Selection Sunday…not that we’re counting or anything.

To help pass the time, I made a list of my favorite Kentucky NCAA Tournament games in the John Calipari era. As you can imagine, this was tough. We have been lucky enough to see some classics, after all. But after spending countless hours on YouTube watching old games and consulting some of the best fans I know, this is what I came up with. Here we go.

***WARNING*** – if you are not a fan of the 2013-14 team…this article might not be for you.

#10 – Kentucky vs. West Virginia, 2010-11 Round of 32

TAMPA, Fl. – This one might surprise you. No, this game did not have a crazy last-second finish. However, it had something equally as great – revenge. After West Virginia booted John Wall and Boogie’s talented team far too early the year before, this one was personal. Kentucky point guard Brandon Knight had scored just one basket in Kentucky’s opener vs. Princeton, which they narrowly escaped from. He showed up for this one, though. Knight’s career-high 30 points coupled with a 12-point, 10-assist double-double from Terrence Jones sealed the deal for the ‘Cats, who went on to win 71-63.

#9 – Kentucky vs. Notre Dame, 2014-15 Elite 8

CLEVELAND, Ohio – In perhaps their toughest test of the season to date, the undefeated ‘Cats stood firm when perfection was on the line. Notre Dame was the No. 8 team in the country, and they sure backed it up with this performance. The score was tied much of the game, but the ‘Cats pulled away in the end. Andrew Harrison hit two clutch free throws with just six seconds remaining to give his team the lead and a trip to the Final Four. We won’t talk about what happened there…

#8 – Kentucky vs. Wichita State, 2013-14 Round of 32

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The beginning of a great story. The No. 8 seed ‘Cats entered this one a clear underdog. Not only had they struggled to close out the regular season, but they were also facing No. 1 seed Wichita State. The Shockers were undefeated, but they hadn’t yet faced a team with fight like this one. The Harrison twins combined for 39 points and Julius Randle added 13 of his own as the ‘Cats ended Wichita State’s perfect season. Shocker guard Fred VanVleet had a chance to win it with seconds left, but the basketball Gods had other plans. The rest is history – beautiful history.

#7 – Kentucky vs. Houston, 2018-19 Sweet 16

KANSAS CITY, M0. – What a thriller this one was. After two weeks on the sidelines with a sprained left foot, Wildcat forward P.J. Washington returned to help the Wildcats defeat the No. 3 seed Houston Cougars. Washington came off the bench to score 16 points in 26 minutes while Tyler Herro earned his famous nickname of “The Bucket.” Herro ended with 19 points, including a clutch three with 25 seconds left to give Kentucky the lead. We miss you, Mr. Bucket.

#6 – Kentucky vs. Louisville, 2013-14 Sweet 16

INDIANAPOLIS, In. – Coming off their 2013 National Championship win (kinda), Rick Pitino’s Cardinals looked to defend their title. Louisville led for the majority of the game, stretching their lead to as many as 13 points. But not so fast – Aaron Harrison would like a word. This was his first big shot of the legendary tournament run, giving the ‘Cats their first lead of the game with only 39 seconds left. Harrison ended with 15 points, as did Julius Randle and Dakari Johnson.

#5 – Kentucky vs. Ohio State, 2010-11 Sweet 16

NEWARK, Nj. – This game was a late one. My mom made me go to bed before it ended, but I snuck out to hide behind the couch and watch. When Brandon Knight hit a 15-foot dagger with 5 seconds left to beat the No. 1 seed Ohio State Buckeyes, I naturally screamed in excitement. My cover was blown and I was grounded. It was worth it though, because this game was a fun one. Josh Harrellson led the ‘Cats with 17 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks. Knight was relatively quiet with only nine points, but two of them were the most important of the game.

#4 – Kentucky vs. Michigan, 2013-14 Elite 8

INDIANAPOLIS, In. – I think I can speak for the entire BBN when I say this tournament run was one of the most fun I have ever watched. After losing 3/6 games to close the regular season, Aaron Harrison assured the BBN to be calm. Harrison told us that the ‘Cats still had some fight in them, and their post-season would be a “great story” – and boy was he right. Julius Randle led the team with 16 points, but it was Harrison who won the game with a last-second three-pointer from NBA range as Kentucky beat Michigan 75-72 to advance to the Final Four.

#3 – Kentucky vs. Louisville, 2011-12 Final Four

NEW ORLEANS, La. – Beating Louisville is always awesome, but it’s extra awesome when it’s in the Final Four. Anthony Davis was named AP National Player of the Year just the day before this game, and he made sure to show the world why. Davis racked up an 18-point, 14-rebound double-double, along with five blocks. Darius Miller came off the bench to tack on 13 points of his own as the ‘Cats won 69-61 to advance to the National Championship game. Though there is still debate as to whether Davis exclaimed “This is my state” or “This is my sh*t” after the game, it was iconic nonetheless.

#2 – Kentucky vs. Wisconsin, 2013-14 Final Four

DALLAS, Tx. – “This is the point where he always hits it!”

Those words still give me chills to this very day. I was blessed enough to see this one in person, and I’m pretty sure it will always be the best day of my life (yes, even after marriage and kids). Andrew Harrison fouled Wisconsin’s Traevon Jackson to give the Badgers three free throws with just 15 seconds remaining and suck the life out of the Kentucky section. Jackson was 27-29 from the free-throw line in his previous two games, after all. Thankfully, he missed his first – and Aaron Harrison made him pay.

It was Aaron’s first three-point attempt of the night, and he certainly made it count.

#1 – Kentucky vs. Kansas, 2011-12 National Championship

NEW ORLEANS, La. – As if there could be any other #1, right? What a game and what a team this was. After dominating their first five games of the tournament, the Wildcats were set to face the No. 2 seed Kansas Jayhawks in the National Championship. The two teams had faced off earlier in the season, with the ‘Cats winning handily. This game was no different.

Doron Lamb led with 22 points as Kentucky went on to beat Kansas 67-59, giving the ‘Cats their eighth title. Future No. 1 pick in the NBA draft Anthony Davis struggled offensively, but made up for it on defense. ‘The Brow’ ended with 16 rebounds, three steals and six blocks. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist tacked on 11 points, but perhaps his most iconic moment came when he blocked Kansas’ Tyshawn Taylor with a minute remaining in the game. Legend has it Coach Cal still talks about MKG’s incredible hustle play.

So what are your favorite tournament games, BBN?

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2024-03-28