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Short turnaround no problem for title-seeking Kentucky Wildcats

The Kentucky Wildcats have accomplished something many basketball players can only dream of — getting to play for a national title on the big stage.

Andrew Harrison - photo by Walter Cornett | WildcatWorld.com

Andrew Harrison – photo by Walter Cornett | WildcatWorld.com

The Wildcats have accomplished something many basketball players can only dream of — getting to play for a national title on the big stage — but the reality of the fantasy is that what's transpired over the last few weeks isn't just made up of the unforgettable moments everyone has watched on TV.

This run has included many long nights, grueling turnarounds and just an all-out grind. The latest was the postgame celebration and media responsibilities of Saturday night's win over that quickly turned into more press conferences and practice on Sunday.

We're talking less than 48 hours to physically and mentally prepare from the final buzzer after the Final Four showdown to when the final two teams tip off in the title game. What makes it especially tough on both the coaches and the players is the struggle to sleep with all excitement and shock of what just happened, not to mention the impossible inability to look ahead at what Monday holds in store.

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On This Day In UK Basketball History

On March 28, 1992, in what many called the “best NCAA Tournament game ever,” Kentucky takes defending NCAA champion Duke into overtime before losing 104-103 in the East Regional finals in Philadelphia. A last-second shot by Christian Laettner sends Duke to the Final Four, and breaks the hearts of Wildcat fans everywhere. It is Cawood Ledford’s last game as the “Voice of the Wildcats.”

 

On March 28, 1998, against Stanford, Kentucky rallied from a 10-point second-half deficit, then grabbed a 5-point overtime lead, before fending off the Cardinals to advance to the title game for the third straight season. Jeff Sheppard canned three long-range three-pointers - two in the final three minutes and one in overtime - en route to a career-high 27 points.

 

On March 28, 2014, unranked Kentucky beat No. 5 Louisville 74-69, in the 2014 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16.  Aaron Harrison buried a three-pointer from the left corner with 39 seconds left that put UK ahead to stay before 41,072 in Lucas Oil Stadium.

 

On March 28, 2015, No. 1 Kentucky defeated No. 8 Notre Dame, 68-66, in the 2015 NCAA Tournament Elite Eight.  With its 37-0 record on the line, Kentucky trailed Notre Dame 59-53 with 6:14 left. UK rallied in front of 19,464 fans in Cleveland’s Quicken Loans Arena and preserved its perfect season thanks to a crucial blocked shot by Willie Cauley-Stein and two game-deciding free throws from Andrew Harrison in the final seconds.

 

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