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The Fabulous Five

One frequently asked question tossed at basketball historians and sports authorities is, “Who were the ‘Fabulous Five’ of Kentucky?” The answer is Alex Groza (center), Ralph Beard and Kenny Rollins (guards), “Wah Wah” Jones and Cliff Barker (forwards). This famous 1947-48 team, captained by Rollins, won 36 and lost 3 while sweeping to Kentucky’s first NCAA title. The Fabulous Five then went on to participate as a unit in the Olympic Games, helping the USA team capture the world championship. Rollins graduated after the 1948 season, but the remaining four starters continued to play havoc with collegiate basketball and captured another NCAA title for Kentucky in 1949 with a record of 32-2.

The Fabulous Five 1948 – Seated: Ralph Beard, Adolph Rupp, Kenny Rollins Standing: Wallace “Wah Wah” Jones, Alex Groza, Cliff Barker

Ralph Beard and teammates watch as Kenny Rollins drives a nail in the spot where Beard launched and made a 52.5 foot shot against Tennessee February 14, 1948 in Alumni Gym.

On This Day in UK Basketball History

On March 1, 1912, Kentucky defeats Georgetown College, 19-18, to complete the season with a perfect 9-0 record and earn its first title as Southern Champions.

 

On March 1, 1921, Kentucky upsets Tulane, Mercer, Mississippi A&M and Georgia to win the first Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association basketball championship. Bill King's free throw with no time left on the clock lifted the Wildcats to the SIAA Championship over Georgia.  Hundreds of Wildcats fans await “play-by-play” via telegraph, and greet the team’s train with a celebration and parade in downtown Lexington. It is believed to be the first college basketball tournament ever played.

 

On March 1, 1952, Cliff Hagan scored 42 points against Tennessee.

 

On March 1, 1969, Dan Issel scored 31 points at Vanderbilt.

 

On March 1, 1969, Mike Casey joined the 1,000-point club.  He did it in 51 games.

 

On March 1, 1979, the 1979 SEC Tournament quarterfinals featured Kentucky and Alabama.  In a scintillating display of fast-paced basketball, Kentucky hit 68.3 percent of its shots (43-of-63) and outlasted Coach C.M. Newton’s Crimson Tide and star Reggie King (38 points) behind stellar guard play from Truman Claytor (25 points, 11-of-14 field goals), Kyle Macy (22, 9-of-16) and Dwight Anderson (19, 7-of-11) before 16,300 in the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center.

 

On March 1, 1981, on Senior Day, No. 9 Kentucky defeated No. 2 LSU 73-71.  Kentucky denied LSU’s bid for an unbeaten SEC season when Sam Bowie blocked Howard Carter’s potential game-tying jumper just ahead of the final buzzer before 24,011 in Rupp Arena.

 

On March 1, 1987, Richard Madison's basket with eight seconds left enabled the Wildcats to upset the No. 12 Sooners.

 

Wildcats Born on This Date