It’s been a second since Kentucky had a win this big.
The Kentucky Wildcats had a huge come-back win against the Duke Blue Devils, where they trailed by 10 points before making a push in the second half. It was a fun night in Catlanta, and that leads to a fun exercise and question for us to do: This is the best win for Kentucky since…?
Here are my rankings and where this win falls in just the last five years.
5. Louisville, 2019-20 season (Kentucky won 78-70)
Matt Stone/Courier Journal, Louisville Courier Journal via Imagn Content Services, LLC
At the time, Kentucky was ranked No. 19 in the country, and Louisville was ranked No. 3. In a game that was a back-and-forth affair, the game did not end in regulation. With five more minutes added to the game clock, Kentucky prevailed and went on to win 78-70 in a close contest.
Adding value to this was the postseason being canceled due to COVID-19, which means this was arguably the best moment in the season of a special Kentucky basketball tram.
4. Texas Tech 2019-2020 season (Kentucky won 76-74 in overtime)
Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images
This was another great game for Kentucky in the 2019-20 season. Immanuel Quickley nailed a half-court three to end the 1st half to give Kentucky a two-point lead, but Texas Tech kept it close throughout. The game went into overtime, but the Cats won 76-74 in another close game.
3. Kansas 2021-22 season (Kentucky wins in blowout 80-62)
Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
This game wasn’t even close against the Jayhawks. A lot of people were expecting Kansas to win due to it being played at Allen Fieldhouse, but the Cats spoiled the party in Lawrence. Kentucky went inside Phog Allen and beat No. 5 Kansas 80-62. Led by Keion Brooks Jr., who finished the game with 27 points and 12 rebounds.
2. Houston 2018-19 season (Kentucky defeats Houston in the Sweet 16, 62-58)
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This was the last time Kentucky made it to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament, which took place almost six years ago.
It was a close game throughout, and at one point I’m sure the BBN thought they were going to lose with how the momentum was going. But in steps PJ Washington and Tyler Herro.
Washington had an and-1 followed up by a massive block, which led to Herro hitting a 3 that effectively was the game-winner.
Kentucky may have fallen to Auburn in the next round, but that Herro shot was a classic March Madness moment for the best program in college basketball.
1. Duke 2024-25 season (Kentucky comes back from nine points at halftime to win, 77-72.
With Mark Pope at the helm, the fanbase was juiced for the matchup. After a huge win against the Blue Devils, this win has seemingly brought life back to the whole program. And especially the fanbase.
Is this recency bias? Potentially, but there is no denying the drastic change in playing styles the nation witnessed at State Farm Arena, which ultimately helped propel the Cats higher up the mountain in this season’s college basketball landscape.
This was Kentucky’s first win over Duke since 2015 and just the third against the Blue Devils since 1979.
So, in your mind, this is Kentucky men’s basketball’s best win since…? Sound off in the comments section!