1997–98 Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team

1997–98 season of University of Kentucky men's basketball team March 2026 August 2023 Basketball 1997–98 Kentucky Wildcats Kentucky Wildcats logo (1984-2005).png 150 Southeast Conference SEC 1 5 35–4 14–2 Tubby Smith 1st Mike Sutton George Felton Shawn Finney Rupp Arena NCAA tournament National ChampionsSEC regular season and tournament champions National Championship Game W Won 78–69 vs. Utah The 1997–98 Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team were coached by Tubby Smith. He was in his first season as head coach after taking over from Rick Pitino. The team finished the season with a 35–4 record (14–2 SEC). Kentucky automatically qualified for the NCAA Tournament with a victory over South Carolina in the SEC Championship Game. The Wildcats were invited to the 1998 NCAA Tournament as a #2 seed. In the Final Kentucky defeated the Utah Utes, 78–69. Roster 1997 Kentucky Wildcats y Allen Edwards basketball y 3 G/F 6 5 205 SR Miami, Florida Steve Masiello y 4 G 6 1 170 SO White Plains, New York Wayne Turner basketball y 5 G 6 2 190 JR Boston, Massachusetts Saul Smith 11 G 6 2 175 FR Athens, Georgia Nazr Mohammed y 13 C 6 10 238 JR Chicago, Illinois Heshimu Evans y 14 F 6 6 235 JR Bronx, New York Jeff Sheppard y 15 G 6 4 189 SR Peachtree City, Georgia Cameron Mills 21 G 6 3 181 SR Lexington, Kentucky Ryan Hogan 22 G 6 3 193 FR Deerfield, Illinois Myron Anthony 25 F 6 7 225 FR Neptune Beach, Florida Michael Bradley basketball y 33 F/C 6 10 235 FR Worcester, Massachusetts Scott Padgett y 34 F 6 10 240 JR Louisville, Kentucky Jamaal Magloire y 42 C 6 10 260 SO Toronto, Ontario Tubby Smith Mike Sutton George Felton Shawn Finney Depth chart 273BE2 FFFFFF 273BE2 Nazr Mohammed Scott Padgett Allen Edwards Jeff Sheppard Wayne Turner Jamaal Magloire Heshimu Evans Cameron Mills Saul Smith Michael Bradley Myron Anthony Ryan Hogan Steve Masiello Schedule November The Tubby Smith-era officially began on November 18 with an 88 to 49 victory over Morehead State at Rupp Arena.Woods Mark 1997-11-21 There's no stall in Tubby-ball: 88-49 https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/110383882/ Louisville Courier-Journal 2021-01-26June 2023Tipton Jerry 1997-11-21 Two sides to every story? Not 88-49 UK win https://www.kentucky.com/news/databases/article43976733.html Lexington Herald-Leader 2021-01-26 Allen Edwards added 15 points, Wayne Turner had 12 points and Heshimu Evans had 10 points. Four days later Kentucky traveled to island of Maui to compete in the annual Maui Invitational Tournament, Kentucky defeated George Washington 70–55 in the first round of the tournament.Woods Mark 1997-11-25 Wildcats roar 70-55 in Maui tourney https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/110423557/ Louisville Courier-Journal 2021-01-26 May 27, 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20250527210022/https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/110423557/ dead Tipton Jerry 1997-11-25 UK win sets up rematch with Arizona https://www.kentucky.com/news/databases/article43976733.html Lexington Herald-Leader 2021-01-26 The victory over the Colonials set up a game the next night in the semifinals against No. 1 Arizona, a rematch of the 1997 NCAA tournament championship Game. Kentucky experienced its first loss of the season with a 89–74 setback.Woods Mark 1997-11-26 Unwelcome aloha: Arizona 89-74 https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/110257055/ Louisville Courier-Journal 2021-01-26Tipton Jerry 1997-11-26 Cats overmatched in rematch https://www.kentucky.com/news/databases/article43976733.html Lexington Herald-Leader 2021-01-26 After the loss the Wildcats rebounded the next night in the 3rd-place game against Missouri with a 77–55 victory.Woods Mark 1997-11-27 Cats get some consolation, 77-55 https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/110257055/ Louisville Courier-Journal 2021-01-26Tipton Jerry 1997-11-27 UK remodels in paint job of Missouri https://www.kentucky.com/news/databases/article43976733.html Lexington Herald-Leader 2021-01-26 After Kentucky left Maui they traveled to Phoenix three days later to defeat No. 13 Clemson 76–61.Woods Mark 1997-11-30 Jet-setting Wildcats soar over Clemson, 76-61 https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/110257055/ Louisville Courier-Journal 2021-01-26Tipton Jerry 1997-11-27 Turner fins way to lead UK 76-61 https://www.kentucky.com/news/databases/article43976733.html Lexington Herald-Leader 2021-01-26 Kentucky finished November ranked No. 7 in the AP poll and with a 4–1 record. December On December 3 Kentucky defeated No. 6 Purdue 89–75 in the annual Great Eight Classic in Chicago.Woods Mark 1997-12-04 UK steams by Boilermakers 89-75 https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/110257055/ Louisville Courier-Journal 2021-01-26Tipton Jerry 1997-12-04 Second-half blitz carries UK 89-75 https://www.kentucky.com/news/databases/article43976733.html Lexington Herald-Leader 2021-01-26 Nazr Mohammed carried Kentucky with 19 points on 8 for 10 field goal shooting. Three days later Kentucky traveled to Indianapolis to defeat rival Indiana 75–72.Woods Mark 1997-12-07 In classic duel against IU, Wildcats come out on top https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/110257055/ Louisville Courier-Journal 2021-01-26Tipton Jerry 1997-12-07 Cats prevail on thriller instinct https://www.kentucky.com/news/databases/article43976733.html Lexington Herald-Leader 2021-01-26 Nazr Mohammed and Jeff Sheppard led the way with 21 points apiece. Four days later Kentucky traveled to Buffalo to defeat Canisius 81–54. On December 13 the Wildcats played its first home game in 23 days against No. 24 Georgia Tech. They defeated the Yellow Jackets 85–71 behind 14 points and 10 rebounds by Heshimu Evans.Woods Mark 1997-12-14 For a half, it's like pulling teeth https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/110257055/ Louisville Courier-Journal 2021-01-28Tipton Jerry 1997-12-14 Cats' 85-71 victory Evans sent https://www.kentucky.com/news/databases/article43976781.html Lexington Herald-Leader 2021-01-28 One-week later Kentucky defeated Tubby Smith's former school Tulsa 74–53.Terhune Jim 1997-12-21 Wildcats huff and puff but finally take wind out of Hurricane,74-53 https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/110257055/ Louisville Courier-Journal 2021-01-28Tipton Jerry 1997-12-21 Stormy Smith blows Cats by Hurricane https://www.kentucky.com/news/databases/article43976760.html Lexington Herald-Leader 2021-01-28 Three nights later Kentucky defeated American 75–52. Next, Kentucky played in-state rival Louisville in the annual Battle for the Bluegrass. Kentucky was upset by the Cardinals 79–76, due in part to the Wildcats shooting 5 for 23 from the 3-point line.Woods Mark 1997-12-28 Padgett's fantasy ending comes true - with tragic thud https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/110257055/ Louisville Courier-Journal 2021-01-28 Three nights later the Wildcats bounced back on the road in Athens, OH with a 95–58 victory over Ohio.Woods Mark 1997-12-31 Kentucky vents anger on Ohio, 95-58 https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/110257055/ Louisville Courier-Journal 2021-01-28 Kentucky finished the 1997 calendar year with a 11–2 record and ranked 6th in the AP poll. January February March Results yes yes |- !colspan=12 style="background:#005DAA; color:white;"| Exhibition November 11, 1997 yes 7:30 pm 9 Court Authority 86–62 0–0 Edwards 20 Tied 6 Turner 6 Rupp Arena 20,041 Lexington, KY November 18, 1997 yes 8:00 pm BBSN 9 Melbourne 91–63 0–0 Edwards 14 Tied 7 Tied 4 Rupp Arena 20,102 Lexington, KY |- !colspan=12 style="background:#005DAA; color:white;"| Non-conference regular season November 20, 1997 yes 8:00 pm BBSN 9 Morehead State 88–49 1–0 Edwards 15 Magloire 8 Tied 4 Rupp Arena 23,097 Lexington, KY November 24, 1997 yes 9:30 pm ESPN 9 yes George Washington Maui Invitational Tournament first round 70–55 2–0 Turner 16 Evans 11 Evans 4 Lahaina Civic Center 2,500 Lahaina, HI November 25, 1997 yes 9:00 pm ESPN 8 yes 1 Arizona Maui Invitational Tournament Semifinals 74–89 2–1 Padgett 16 Mohammed 16 Tied 4 Lahaina Civic Center 2,500 Lahaina, HI November 26, 1997 yes 7:30 pm 8 yes Missouri Maui Invitational Tournament 3rd-place game 77–55 3–1 Magloire 18 Magloire 17 Sheppard 5 Lahaina Civic Center 2,500 Lahaina, HI November 29, 1997 yes 7:30 pm SportsChannel 8 yes 13 Clemson 76–61 4–1 Turner 17 Mohammed 6 Turner 5 America West Arena 4,306 Phoenix, AZ December 3, 1997 yes 9:30 pm ESPN 7 yes 6 Purdue Great Eight Classic 89–75 5–1 Mohammed 19 Padgett 9 Turner 8 United Center 19,567 Chicago, IL December 6, 1997 yes 3:30 pm CBS 7 yes Indiana 75–72 6–1 Tied 21 Mohammed 12 Turner 5 RCA Dome 38,504 Indianapolis, IN December 10, 1997 yes 8:00 pm BBSN 4 yes Canisius 81–54 7–1 Sheppard 21 Turner 8 Turner 6 Marine Midland Arena 10,083 Buffalo, NY December 13, 1997 yes 12:00 pm ESPN 4 24 Georgia Tech 85–71 8–1 Evans 14 Evans 10 Edwards 6 Rupp Arena 24,112 Lexington, KY December 20, 1997 yes 7:30 pm ESPN 4 Tulsa 74–53 9–1 Mohammed 17 Padgett 8 Edwards 5 Rupp Arena 24,082 Lexington, KY December 23, 1997 yes 8:00 pm BBSN 4 American 74–53 10–1 Edwards 16 Magloire 6 Tied 5 Rupp Arena 22,856 Lexington, KY December 27, 1997 yes 4:00 pm CBS 4 Louisville 76–79 10–2 Sheppard 18 Mohammed 9 Padgett 4 Rupp Arena 24,303 Lexington, KY December 30, 1997 yes 7:00 pm BBSN 6 yes Ohio 95–58 11–2 Tied 15 Mohammed 7 Tied 4 Convocation Center 13,083 Athens, OH January 3, 1998 6:00 pm JP SportsJefferson Pilot Sports Southeastern Conference Basketball – 1998 Television Schedule http://jpsports.com/sec_sch.htm https://web.archive.org/web/19980216153759/http://jpsports.com/sec_sch.htm February 16, 1998 Jefferson Pilot Sports September 28, 2023 6 Vanderbilt 71–62 12–2 1–0 Mohammed 19 Padgett 14 Edwards 5 Rupp Arena 24,236 Lexington, KY January 6, 1998 9:30 pm ESPN 6 yes Georgia 90–79 13–2 2–0 Turner 20 Tied 7 Turner 5 Stegeman Coliseum 10,523 Athens, GA January 10, 1998 4:30 pm JP Sports 6 yes Mississippi State 77–71 14–2 3–0 Padgett 23 Padgett 10 Turner 4 Humphrey Coliseum 9,334 Starkville, MS January 13, 1998 9:30 pm ESPN 6 14 South Carolina 91–70 15–2 4–0 Sheppard 16 Mohammed 8 Edwards 12 Rupp Arena 24,241 Lexington, KY January 17, 1998 4:00 pm CBS 6 22 Arkansas OT 80–77 16–2 5–0 Evans 20 Mohammed 13 Sheppard 4 Rupp Arena 24,266 Lexington, KY January 21, 1998 8:00 pm JP Sports 7 Alabama 70–67 17–2 6–0 Padgett 24 Mohammed 10 Turner 4 Freedom Hall 19,734 Louisville, KY January 24, 1998 7:30 pm JP Sports 7 yes Tennessee 90–79 18–2 7–0 Padgett 20 Tied 7 Turner 11 Thompson-Boling Arena 23,146 Knoxville, TN January 27, 1998 9:30 pm ESPN 7 yes Vanderbilt 63–61 19–2 8–0 Padgett 20 Tied 7 Turner 11 Memorial Gymnasium 15,311 Nashville, TN February 1, 1998 3:30 pm ABC 7 Florida 78–86 19–3 8–1 Mills 31 Evans 10 Turner 4 Rupp Arena 24,186 Lexington, KY February 4, 1998 8:00 pm JP Sports 8 yes LSU 63–61 20–3 9–1 Sheppard 12 Evans 3 Sheppard 4 Pete Maravich Assembly Center 8,686 Baton Rouge, LA February 8, 1998 yes 1:00 pm CBS 8 yes Villanova 79–63 21–3 9–1 Tied 18 Mohammed 11 Edwards 6 CoreStates Center 15,551 Philadelphia, PA February 11, 1998 8:00 pm JP Sports 7 Tennessee 80–74 22–3 10–1 Mohammed 21 Mohammed 16 Evans 5 Rupp Arena 23,861 Lexington, KY February 14, 1998 12:30 pm JP Sports 7 18 Ole Miss 64–73 22–4 10–2 Sheppard 15 Mohammed 8 Tied 4 Rupp Arena 23,842 Lexington, KY February 18, 1998 8:00 pm JP Sports 8 yes Florida 79–54 23–4 11–2 Mohammed 19 Tied 6 Turner 5 O'Connell Center 10,222 Gainesville, FL February 22, 1998 1:00 pm JP Sports 8 Georgia 85–74 24–4 12–2 Mohammed 16 Mohammed 11 Sheppard 8 Rupp Arena 24,272 Lexington, KY February 25, 1998 8:00 pm JP Sports 7 yes Auburn 83–58 25–4 13–2 Sheppard 25 Padgett 7 Padgett 5 Beard–Eaves–Memorial Coliseum 9,644 Auburn, AL February 25, 1998 1:00 pm CBS 7 yes 14 South Carolina 89–57 26–4 14–2 Sheppard 24 Evans 12 Turner 5 Carolina Coliseum 12,129 Columbia, SC |- !colspan=12 style="background:#005DAA; color:white;"| SEC Tournament March 6, 1998 1:00 pm JP Sports 7 E1 yes Alabama W5 Quarterfinals 82–71 27–4 Sheppard 17 Padgett 13 Turner 8 Georgia Dome 21,109 Atlanta, GA March 7, 1998 1:00 pm JP Sports 7 E1 yes 16 Arkansas W2 Semifinals 99–74 28–4 Sheppard 17 Mohammed 10 Turner 7 Georgia Dome 25,190 Atlanta, GA March 8, 1998 12:00 pm CBS 7 E1 yes 15 E2 South Carolina Championship Game 86–56 29–4 Turner 18 Mohammed 7 Edwards 5 Georgia Dome 24,545 Atlanta, GA |- !colspan=12 style="text-align: center; background:#005DAA"|NCAA tournament March 13, 1998 12:15 pm CBS 5 2 S yes 15 S South Carolina State First Round 82–67 30–4 Mohammed 18 Tied 6 Edwards 6 Georgia Dome 17,474 Atlanta, GA March 15, 1998 2:30 pm CBS 5 2 S yes 10 S St. Louis Second Round 88–61 31–4 Sheppard 18 Mohammed 8 Turner 9 Georgia Dome 19,423 Atlanta, GA March 20, 1998 10:00 pm CBS 5 2 S yes 19 6 S UCLA Sweet Sixteen 94–68 32–4 Padgett 19 Padgett 6 Edwards 5 Tropicana Field 40,589 St. Petersburg, FL March 23, 1998 5:00 pm CBS 5 2 S yes 3 1 S Duke Elite Eight 86–84 33–4 Sheppard 18 Tied 11 Turner 8 Tropicana Field 40,589 St. Petersburg, FL March 28, 1998 5:42 pm CBS 5 2 S yes 10 3 MW Stanford Final Four OTUpstart Utah, Kentucky play on: Stanford's run ends in OT, 86-85 https://www.baltimoresun.com/1998/03/29/upstart-utah-kentucky-play-on-stanfords-run-ends-in-ot-86-85/ Baltimore Sun March 29, 1998 June 12, 2021 86–85 34–4 Sheppard 27 Tied 6 Tied 4 Alamodome 40,509 San Antonio, TX March 30, 1998 9:17 pm CBS 5 2 S yes 7 3 W Utah National Championship 78–69 35–4 Padgett 17 Evans 6 Edwards 5 Alamodome 40,509 San Antonio, TX AP Poll Eastern Time Team players drafted into the NBA Year Round Pick Player NBA Club 1998 1 29 Nazr Mohammed Utah Jazz 1999 1 28 Scott Padgett Utah Jazz 2000 1 19 Jamaal Magloire Charlotte Hornetshttp://www.databasebasketball.com/draft/draftyear.htm?lg=N&yr=1998 1998 NBA Draft on Basketballreference.com 2009-04-30 usurped https://web.archive.org/web/20100117120858/http://databasebasketball.com/draft/draftyear.htm?yr=1998&lg=n 2010-01-17 See also Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball 1998 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament References External links 1998 NCAA Basketball National Championship Utah vs Kentucky Kentucky Category:Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball seasons Category:NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament championship seasons Category:NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament Final Four seasons Kentucky Wild Wild