Better Teams than Kentucky have come up short (1 Viewer)

[Jefferson the Caregiver]

'91 UNLV Runnin Rebels, best college team ever?

'83 Houston Cougars

And I don't put the '99 Duke team in the same stratosphere of those other two but they were by far the dominant team that year and they came up short.

I'm not ready to hand Kentucky the title yet.

 

[Han Solo]

Fab Five...Michigan.chris webber, jalen rose, Juan Howard.../ thread

 

[Gawain]

At the Nugget, they had Kentucky -130, Field +110. I was pretty surprised.

You figure the S16 game should be tough because their team has the week to prepare, then the F-4 and C-Game should be tough (I think they'd beat Gonzaga handily in the E-8)

Say the need to be 90% in the S 16 game and 75% in the last two games to be this kind of favorite over the field.

 

[Jefferson the Caregiver]

Fab Five...Michigan.chris webber, jalen rose, Juan Howard.../ thread

Good team, not better than the '91 UNLV team though.

 

[Han Solo]

Fab Five...Michigan.chris webber, jalen rose, Juan Howard.../ thread

Good team, not better than the '91 UNLV team though.

Better team then the current Kentucky team though...I grew up with the UNLV and michigan team...I feel both are in the answer of your question....anything can happen...

 

[Willie Neslon]

I think they'll lose. I don't think the SEC is very good.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

I think they'll lose. I don't think the SEC is very good.

Probably true, but they also beat Kansas by 32 and handily beat UNC and Louisville.

 

[jon_mx]

1975 Indiana Hoosiers were the best team not to win it. Probably better than the 1976 team which completed the perfect season.

 

[T J]

If I get the choice of Kentucky vs. the field, I'm taking Kentucky probably 90% of the time - this year that is.

 

[msudaisy26]

Houston team that lost to NC State?

 

[Insein]

Not saying they're better but the 1996-97 Kansas team was a pretty dominant squad with Paul Pierce and Raef Lafrens. They went 34-2 with the #1 overall seed, bounced in the sweet 16.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

I think it's '91 UNLV or 1985 Hoyas but I'll homer with the 1974 Terps. They're the reason the NCAA expanded the field to include teams that didn't win their conference tournament. They lost 103-100 to eventual champ NCSU in the ACC finals.

 

[ghostguy123]

The best team sometimes doesnt win?? The hell you say

 

[ghostguy123]

At the Nugget, they had Kentucky -130, Field +110. I was pretty surprised.

You figure the S16 game should be tough because their team has the week to prepare, then the F-4 and C-Game should be tough (I think they'd beat Gonzaga handily in the E-8)

Say the need to be 90% in the S 16 game and 75% in the last two games to be this kind of favorite over the field.

+110 for the field????

I would happily take the field. Wow.

 

[RCon]

Sportsbook.ag currently has it Kentucky -110, and the field -120.

 

[Baloney Sandwich]

Talking about great teams not winning it prior to '85 isn't that valid to Kentucky's chances since there wasn't a shot clock. NC State doesn't come close if there is a shot clock in that game.

It wouldn't shock me if Kentucky loses but I would still be inclined to take them over the field.

 

[ghostguy123]

Talking about great teams not winning it prior to '85 isn't that valid to Kentucky's chances since there wasn't a shot clock. NC State doesn't come close if there is a shot clock in that game.

It wouldn't shock me if Kentucky loses but I would still be inclined to take them over the field.

They are obviously the best team, but pick a sport, any sport, and I take the field if it's pretty much 1:1.

 

[fantasycurse42]

I don't have much "live" knowledge or direct memories besides reading before the early 90's, so I can't speak to teams of the 80's or earlier, but the Fab 5 that lost to UNC in 93 was amazing. As a Heel fan, I'm still shocked that team pulled it off.

The 91 UNLV team was riding a 45 game win streak and stacked with talent... RIP Shark!

Far from a given that UK wins this, but they're obviously the favorite and it isn't close.

 

[Prince Myshkin]

Fab Five...Michigan.chris webber, jalen rose, Juan Howard.../ thread

Good team, not better than the '91 UNLV team though.

Better team then the current Kentucky team though...I grew up with the UNLV and michigan team...I feel both are in the answer of your question....anything can happen...

That Michigan team was not better than this UK team. That Michigan team wasn't even better than the UK team they beat in the Final 4. They lost 5 games that year and were ranked outside the top 5 for a while. That Fab 5 team was great, but they weren't dominant

 

[BroncoFreak_2K3]

Fab Five...Michigan.chris webber, jalen rose, Juan Howard.../ thread

Good team, not better than the '91 UNLV team though.

Better team then the current Kentucky team though...I grew up with the UNLV and michigan team...I feel both are in the answer of your question....anything can happen...

That Michigan team was not better than this UK team. That Michigan team wasn't even better than the UK team they beat in the Final 4. They lost 5 games that year and were ranked outside the top 5 for a while. That Fab 5 team was great, but they weren't dominant

 

[swirvenirvin]

Fab Five...Michigan.chris webber, jalen rose, Juan Howard.../ thread

You mean yeah 25-9 record during the season in 91/92 or the 31-5 record during the season in 92/93

 

[matuski]

Saying a given team might not win the tournament is really putting yourself out there on a limb.

 

[Koya]

One point of context - this years Cats are not facing nearly the same level or competition as many of not all the other teams mentioned considering the one and done nature of today's top players.

This years cats may be as far ahead of the competition as the greats that didn't win it all, but they are ahead of teams a lot less stacked and experience than years past. As such, can't say Kentucky is one of the best ever unless it's best ever as compared to the field - today's field not being what yesteryears were

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

'91 UNLV Runnin Rebels, best college team ever?

'83 Houston Cougars

And I don't put the '99 Duke team in the same stratosphere of those other two but they were by far the dominant team that year and they came up short.

I'm not ready to hand Kentucky the title yet.

"Everyone is saying this coin flip will come up tails, but I'm not ready to rule out heads yet."

 

[The General]

Fab 5 never won a Big 10 championship either. Fab 5 was a cultural phenomenon but they couldn't handle this Kentucky team's height and depth.

Most sure thing in a long in sports in a long time. Anything can happen though.

 

[The General]

Fab Five...Michigan.chris webber, jalen rose, Juan Howard.../ thread

You mean yeah 25-9 record during the season in 91/92 or the 31-5 record during the season in 92/93

I agree this Kentucky team would beat Fab 5 but record is a bit disingenuous. The SEC this year way, way worse than the Big10 back then.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

I don't have much "live" knowledge or direct memories besides reading before the early 90's, so I can't speak to teams of the 80's or earlier, but the Fab 5 that lost to UNC in 93 was amazing. As a Heel fan, I'm still shocked that team pulled it off.

Just no. That Carolina team was ####### loaded. They weren't a spunky underdog. It's ok if you wanna think that, but it's not true.

 

[flapgreen]

I'd say this UK team is even more prepared than many of the other great teams. They've been tested multiple times this year and and answered the call every time. Multiple players who played in the championship last year. But yeah, not going out on a limb picking against one team winning the championship.

 

[flapgreen]

Fab Five...Michigan.chris webber, jalen rose, Juan Howard.../ thread

You mean yeah 25-9 record during the season in 91/92 or the 31-5 record during the season in 92/93

I agree this Kentucky team would beat Fab 5 but record is a bit disingenuous. The SEC this year way, way worse than the Big10 back then.

Toughest out of conference schedule in the country.

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

I don't have much "live" knowledge or direct memories besides reading before the early 90's, so I can't speak to teams of the 80's or earlier, but the Fab 5 that lost to UNC in 93 was amazing. As a Heel fan, I'm still shocked that team pulled it off.

Just no. That Carolina team was ####### loaded. They weren't a spunky underdog. It's ok if you wanna think that, but it's not true.

UNC spent several weeks ranked #1 in the country, finished first in a loaded conference, and was a 1-seed in the NCAA Tournament. Their neutral-court regular season game against Michigan was a 1-point game whose result turned on a buzzer-beater. It was a loaded, balanced team strong at all five positions.

Kentucky was also a serious title threat that year. If Webber wasn't the best player at that Final Four, then Jamal Mashburn was. It's a forgotten great team because they didn't win the title like UNC, didn't dominate the cultural conversation like the Fab Five, and wasn't as good as the team Pitino eventually won the title with three years later.

 

[Capella]

Ok?

They're still the overwhelming favorite.

 

[Dan Lambskin]

I don't have much "live" knowledge or direct memories besides reading before the early 90's, so I can't speak to teams of the 80's or earlier, but the Fab 5 that lost to UNC in 93 was amazing. As a Heel fan, I'm still shocked that team pulled it off.

Just no. That Carolina team was ####### loaded. They weren't a spunky underdog. It's ok if you wanna think that, but it's not true.

The one with like three 7 footers? Yeah they were pretty good

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

Fab Five...Michigan.chris webber, jalen rose, Juan Howard.../ thread

You mean yeah 25-9 record during the season in 91/92 or the 31-5 record during the season in 92/93

I agree this Kentucky team would beat Fab 5 but record is a bit disingenuous. The SEC this year way, way worse than the Big10 back then.

Toughest out of conference schedule in the country.

32-point neutral court win over a 2/3 seed.

8-point win on a 4/5 seed's home court, an opponent at the time was undefeated and blowing out everybody.

Double-digit home wins over a 4-seed and a 6-seed.

41-point neutral-court win over a bubble team.

There's a couple teams out there who played tougher non-conference schedules, but UK challenged themselves plenty OOC, especially on neutral courts. All this historically great chatter about UK came about because they were beating a bunch of really good teams from programs with strong pedigrees in November and December.

 

[TripItUp]

Several units on the Field -120.

As I've stated in several other threads, Kentucky is not as battle tested as you'd like and will be challenged by teams with good guard play.

Several teams in the field are not intimidated by the Kentucky brand.

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

Ok?

They're still the overwhelming favorite.

Villanova is expected to be a 1-seed tonight and VegasInsider has them 18-to-1 to win the title. A 1-seed.

 

[The General]

Fab Five...Michigan.chris webber, jalen rose, Juan Howard.../ thread

You mean yeah 25-9 record during the season in 91/92 or the 31-5 record during the season in 92/93

I agree this Kentucky team would beat Fab 5 but record is a bit disingenuous. The SEC this year way, way worse than the Big10 back then.

Toughest out of conference schedule in the country.

They played some great teams pre conference but SEC was pretty down this year. Fab 5 had to deal with a couple of eventual 1 seeds that year in conference.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

I don't have much "live" knowledge or direct memories besides reading before the early 90's, so I can't speak to teams of the 80's or earlier, but the Fab 5 that lost to UNC in 93 was amazing. As a Heel fan, I'm still shocked that team pulled it off.

Just no. That Carolina team was ####### loaded. They weren't a spunky underdog. It's ok if you wanna think that, but it's not true.

UNC spent several weeks ranked #1 in the country, finished first in a loaded conference, and was a 1-seed in the NCAA Tournament. Their neutral-court regular season game against Michigan was a 1-point game whose result turned on a buzzer-beater. It was a loaded, balanced team strong at all five positions.

Kentucky was also a serious title threat that year. If Webber wasn't the best player at that Final Four, then Jamal Mashburn was. It's a forgotten great team because they didn't win the title like UNC, didn't dominate the cultural conversation like the Fab Five, and wasn't as good as the team Pitino eventually won the title with three years later.

That UNC team had George Lynch, who was as hard a sonuva##### as has ever played college hoops. He was just nasty and as good a leader as I've seen.

 

[Frostillicus]

Amateur hour in here.

 

[ChiefD]

I think they'll lose. I don't think the SEC is very good.

Probably true, but they also beat Kansas by 32 and handily beat UNC and Louisville.

This years Kansas team is a farce. They are no better than any of the teams in the tourney this year down to a 12 seed. They are getting bounced in the first or second round. And I'm a kansas fan.

That win by Kentucky over Kansas is really no better than any of their SEC wins.

 

[fantasycurse42]

I don't have much "live" knowledge or direct memories besides reading before the early 90's, so I can't speak to teams of the 80's or earlier, but the Fab 5 that lost to UNC in 93 was amazing. As a Heel fan, I'm still shocked that team pulled it off.

Just no. That Carolina team was ####### loaded. They weren't a spunky underdog. It's ok if you wanna think that, but it's not true.

They had a lot of solid college talent, but nothing close to loaded, their 05 and 09 title teams each had a lot more talent than the 93 team IMO... Pretty sure Montross and Lynch were the only NBA players on that roster. They both went on to be role players, but not much more. I like that team a lot and I can list off each guy on the squad, but there were no wow factors there IMO. They were a cohesive unit that played very well together.On the other hand, the Fab 5 had 3 NBA All Stars.

ETA: cool side note... My uncle worked with Pat Sullivan's brother in the early 90's... He got me an autographed picture which hung on my wall from the time I was 10 until I moved out of the entire 92-93 team with all the players and coaches. I really do love that team, but I don't think they were overly stacked with talent. Just my honest opinion.

 

[Warsteinner]

95/96 Kentucky is the beast team of all time.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

I don't have much "live" knowledge or direct memories besides reading before the early 90's, so I can't speak to teams of the 80's or earlier, but the Fab 5 that lost to UNC in 93 was amazing. As a Heel fan, I'm still shocked that team pulled it off.

Just no. That Carolina team was ####### loaded. They weren't a spunky underdog. It's ok if you wanna think that, but it's not true.

They had a lot of solid college talent, but nothing close to loaded, their 05 and 09 title teams each had a lot more talent than the 93 team IMO... Pretty sure Montross and Lynch were the only NBA players on that roster. They both went on to be role players, but not much more. I like that team a lot and I can list off each guy on the squad, but there were no wow factors there IMO. They were a cohesive unit that played very well together.

On the other hand, the Fab 5 had 3 NBA All Stars.

So they were '06 George Mason? Have fun in your delusion. They were the #1 team in the polls a good portion of the year.

 

[fantasycurse42]

I don't have much "live" knowledge or direct memories besides reading before the early 90's, so I can't speak to teams of the 80's or earlier, but the Fab 5 that lost to UNC in 93 was amazing. As a Heel fan, I'm still shocked that team pulled it off.

Just no. That Carolina team was ####### loaded. They weren't a spunky underdog. It's ok if you wanna think that, but it's not true.

They had a lot of solid college talent, but nothing close to loaded, their 05 and 09 title teams each had a lot more talent than the 93 team IMO... Pretty sure Montross and Lynch were the only NBA players on that roster. They both went on to be role players, but not much more. I like that team a lot and I can list off each guy on the squad, but there were no wow factors there IMO. They were a cohesive unit that played very well together.On the other hand, the Fab 5 had 3 NBA All Stars.

So they were '06 George Mason? Have fun in your delusion. They were the #1 team in the polls a good portion of the year.

Not sure where I said this?

If you look back at the National Champions over the last 25 years, I don't think there are 5 teams who had less talent than the 93 Tar Heels. A lot of very solid college guys who played very well together, but that's as far as my delusion will go.

 

[Frostillicus]

I don't have much "live" knowledge or direct memories besides reading before the early 90's, so I can't speak to teams of the 80's or earlier, but the Fab 5 that lost to UNC in 93 was amazing. As a Heel fan, I'm still shocked that team pulled it off.

Just no. That Carolina team was ####### loaded. They weren't a spunky underdog. It's ok if you wanna think that, but it's not true.

They had a lot of solid college talent, but nothing close to loaded, their 05 and 09 title teams each had a lot more talent than the 93 team IMO... Pretty sure Montross and Lynch were the only NBA players on that roster. They both went on to be role players, but not much more. I like that team a lot and I can list off each guy on the squad, but there were no wow factors there IMO. They were a cohesive unit that played very well together.On the other hand, the Fab 5 had 3 NBA All Stars.

So they were '06 George Mason? Have fun in your delusion. They were the #1 team in the polls a good portion of the year.

Not sure where I said this?

If you look back at the National Champions over the last 25 years, I don't think there are 5 teams who had less talent than the 93 Tar Heels. A lot of very solid college guys who played very well together, but that's as far as my delusion will go.

UNC Cheats, imo.

 

[flapgreen]

Fab Five...Michigan.chris webber, jalen rose, Juan Howard.../ thread

You mean yeah 25-9 record during the season in 91/92 or the 31-5 record during the season in 92/93

I agree this Kentucky team would beat Fab 5 but record is a bit disingenuous. The SEC this year way, way worse than the Big10 back then.

Toughest out of conference schedule in the country.

32-point neutral court win over a 2/3 seed.8-point win on a 4/5 seed's home court, an opponent at the time was undefeated and blowing out everybody.

Double-digit home wins over a 4-seed and a 6-seed.

41-point neutral-court win over a bubble team.

There's a couple teams out there who played tougher non-conference schedules, but UK challenged themselves plenty OOC, especially on neutral courts. All this historically great chatter about UK came about because they were beating a bunch of really good teams from programs with strong pedigrees in November and December.

The historically great chatter came about because they're undefeated, not because of who they've beaten. Saying there are a couple teams who have played tougher non-conference schedules is your opinion. The ratings say otherwise. Anyone else 4-0 against top 25 non-conference? Nope!

 

[RCon]

They had a lot of solid college talent, but nothing close to loaded, their 05 and 09 title teams each had a lot more talent than the 93 team IMO... Pretty sure Montross and Lynch were the only NBA players on that roster. They both went on to be role players, but not much more. I like that team a lot and I can list off each guy on the squad, but there were no wow factors there IMO. They were a cohesive unit that played very well together.On the other hand, the Fab 5 had 3 NBA All Stars.

So they were '06 George Mason? Have fun in your delusion. They were the #1 team in the polls a good portion of the year.

Not sure where I said this?

If you look back at the National Champions over the last 25 years, I don't think there are 5 teams who had less talent than the 93 Tar Heels. A lot of very solid college guys who played very well together, but that's as far as my delusion will go.

College talent and NBA talent aren't the same thing. Juan Dixon did virtually nothing in the NBA, but he was an absolute star in college.

 

[Frostillicus]

Fab Five...Michigan.chris webber, jalen rose, Juan Howard.../ thread

You mean yeah 25-9 record during the season in 91/92 or the 31-5 record during the season in 92/93

I agree this Kentucky team would beat Fab 5 but record is a bit disingenuous. The SEC this year way, way worse than the Big10 back then.

Toughest out of conference schedule in the country.

32-point neutral court win over a 2/3 seed.8-point win on a 4/5 seed's home court, an opponent at the time was undefeated and blowing out everybody.

Double-digit home wins over a 4-seed and a 6-seed.

41-point neutral-court win over a bubble team.

There's a couple teams out there who played tougher non-conference schedules, but UK challenged themselves plenty OOC, especially on neutral courts. All this historically great chatter about UK came about because they were beating a bunch of really good teams from programs with strong pedigrees in November and December.

The historically great chatter came about because they're undefeated, not because of who they've beaten.Saying there are a couple teams who have played tougher non-conference schedules is your opinion. The ratings say otherwise. Anyone else 4-0 against top 25 non-conference? Nope!

Kenpom.com has Kentucky's non-conference schedule as the 96th toughest.

 

[Popinski]

1975 Indiana Hoosiers were the best team not to win it. Probably better than the 1976 team which completed the perfect season.

If it weren't for the injury to May, they probably win that year.

Agree with all teams mentioned so far, except for the Fab Five talk. Another team that belongs is 1984 UNC.

 

[Short Corner]

Fab Five...Michigan.chris webber, jalen rose, Juan Howard.../ thread

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

If you look back at the National Champions over the last 25 years, I don't think there are 5 teams who had less talent than the 93 Tar Heels.

If your goal is to make the dumbest statement in this thread, be sure you can limbo under this one.