1998 National Championship Game..Kentucky Vs Utah!

In just two weeks 64 teams were gone and then there were two. Teams such as Valparaiso, Rhode Island, and Washington that were cinderella stories were trying to live a dream and win a national championship but their dreams came up a bit short. It was now Utah trying to live a dream and finally get over the hump and beat the Cats. Would the dream become a reality..well on this final page you will find out.
Living the Dream!



For the Cats it was the third national championship appearance in three tries. Utah had beaten North Carolina in a dominating performance, could they do that to Kentucky
It was a grueling game from the Kentucky standpoint seeing Utah dominate the boards from the get go. Andre Miller was huge for the Utes early on hitting threes and penetrating for Doleac and the big men to get involved. The Utes seemed to be on their way to finally getting the win they have been looking for over the Cats as they dominated with size and quickness in the first half. Nothing went the Cats way, no production from the perimeter or inside. The Cats were getting mangled. Tough play from the Utes gave them a ten point advantage at the half over the Cats, and no team had ever come back to win a championship trailing by more than eight in the title game.
But the Wildcats were known for their come back ability and comeback they did. In the second half the Cats did to Utah what Utah did to Kentucky in the first half. The Cats were firing on all cylinders. Getting the loose balls and rebounds and hot shooting from Jeff Shepherd the Cats got even, took the lead and never looked back. Utah was overwhelmed by Kentucky in the second half and never really got on track. They made their comebacks on the Cats but the Wildcats were too strong down the stretch and beat the Utes 78-69..to win their 7th National Championship in school history. Many people had Kentucky to lose early, I am one of those people but this team had heart and did not quit. That can and will always make you a Champion. Congratulations Comeback Cats!!


The Comeback Cats Roster:

The guards.
#21 Cameron Mills-- Senior
#15 Jeff Shepherd-- Senior
#5 Wayne Turner-- Junior
#11 Saul Smith-- Freshman
#4 Steve Masiello-- Sophomore
#22 Ryan Hogan-- Freshman

The forwards.
#3 Allen Edwards-- Senior
#25 Myron Anthony-- Freshman
#14 Heshimu Evans-- Junior
#34 Scott Padgett-- Junior

The Centers.
#33 Michael Bradley-- Freshman
#42 Jamal Magloire-- Sophomore
#13 Nazr Mohammed-- Junior
Some pics from the Title Game.

Click on the small pics to get the big one.
Wayne Turner playing tough defense agains the Utes Andre Miller.
Heshimu Evans looks for the wide open three that cuts into the Utah lead early in the second half.
 Jeff Shepherd with a steal and coasts for the layup.
There you see it the final score and the Cats 7th National Championship in school history.


Cameron Mills (left) has nothing but tears after the game, and Jeff Shepherd (right) gets his piece of the net.




Click the ball and EMAIL me.

Uk Links!

Curtis Choates Cats Page.
Just click here it would save me time in adding links. This guy has a great page with tons of links to Uk Athletics. Hey his page is similar to this one but is slightly different.


Sign My Guestbook Guestbook by GuestWorld View My Guestbook