On February 18, the University of Kentucky Athletic Department will pay tribute to one of the most iconic stretches in Kentucky men’s basketball history. The 1996, 1997, and 1998 men’s basketball teams will be celebrated during halftime of UK’s game against Tennessee. The ceremony will take place inside Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center and will honor the team, coaches, and managers.
The weekend of celebrations will begin with a reception on Friday night, followed by an on-court recognition during halftime of Saturday’s game against Tennessee. The game will be aired live on CBS at 1 p.m. EST.
The three-year period between 1996 and 1998 is among the most celebrated periods in Kentucky men’s basketball history. During this stretch, the Wildcats won two national titles and reached the final game of the NCAA tournament for the third year in a row.
In 1995-96, the team posted an impressive 25 consecutive wins, including a perfect 16-0 mark in Southeastern Conference play, en route to its sixth national championship. Led by Tony Delk and Antoine Walker, the team was aptly nicknamed “The Untouchables” by head coach Rick Pitino. Delk tied a championship game record with seven 3-pointers and the Wildcats held off a late rally from Syracuse to win the title by a score of 76-67.
The 1996-97 team, known as the reigning champions, posted a 35-5 overall record and won the league tournament title in their quest to repeat as champions. Ron Mercer led the team in scoring with 18.1 points per game, and Derek Anderson contributed 17.7 points per game. The team made it to the final game but fell to Arizona in overtime by a margin of 84-75.
The 1997-98 team, known as the “Comeback Cats,” captured their second national championship in three years. Despite trailing Utah by 10 points at halftime of the national championship game, UK rallied to win 78-69. All five starters averaged more than nine points per game, with senior guard Jeff Sheppard leading the team in scoring with 13.7 points per game.
As the university honors the 1996-98 men’s basketball teams, the current Kentucky squad will take on Tennessee on Saturday at Rupp Arena. The game promises to be an exciting one, with both teams playing well this season. However, the focus on this particular weekend will be on the storied history of Kentucky basketball and the incredible achievements of the 1996-98 teams.
