Adolph Rupp, the architect of Kentucky basketball, told Sports Illustrated in 1962, “If I had my choice of one man in the country to build my team around, it would be Cotton Nash.” Kentucky basketball did not magically appear at the pinnacle of college basketball by accident. Rather, the program was elevated to blue-blood status through the blood, sweat, tears and terrific play of dozens of great players, over a period of several decades. From Alex Groza and Ralph Beard, to Vernon Hatton and Johnny Cox…
