The Kentucky Post-Season Jinx
The idea for this curse came from David
Spencer, who did all the research. Thanks, David.
In the entire 87 year history of basketball at the U, the Utes have met
the Kentucky Wildcats in post-season play 5 times:
-
1944 - First round of the NIT.
Kentucky 46, Utah 38. The Utes were bounced from the tournament.
However, due to a cancellation in the [then] less prestigious NCAA tournament,
the Utes were invited to fill in. They won the NCAA championship
that year. They then played the winner of the NIT [St. John's] in
a benefit game and won 43-36.
-
1947 - Championship game of the NIT.
Utah 49, Kentucky 45. This is the only post-season victory.
Coincidentally, the year we overcame the 'Kentucky Jinx' was the year we
won the championship.
-
1993 - NCAA First Round.
Kentucky 83, Utah 62. No one remembers much about this game, except that
it sucked.
-
1996 - NCAA Sweet Sixteen.
Kentucky 101, Utah 70. Kentucky pounded us and went on to win their second
straight National Championship.
-
1997 - NCAA Great Eight.
Kentucky 72, Utah 59. The game was tied at 43, when Andre Miller's bruised
hand was too much for him and the Wildcats took over from there.
This was our best showing agaist Kentucky in 50 years, but it still sucked
- mostly because it ended God Van
Horn's career.
-
1998 - NCAA Championship Game.
Kentucky 78, Utah 69. The Utes blew a 12 point lead by running out of gas
near the end of the game.
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