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John Crigler, member of UK’s 1958 championship Fiddlin’ Five squad, dies

John Crigler - photo from BigBlueHistory,net

John Crigler – photo from BigBlueHistory,net

John Lloyd Crigler, a starting forward for the University of Kentucky’s Fiddlin’ Five 1958 basketball championship team and a longtime educator in Scott County public schools, died Saturday at his Georgetown home. He was 76.

“John Crigler was a very good supporter of athletics and a great fellow to be around. He was a friend,” said Joe B. Hall, who coached UK men’s basketball from 1972 to 1985.

Hall said Mr. Crigler was active in Georgetown and remained close to the Fiddlin’ Five team that was coached by the legendary Adolph Rupp.

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Walter Cornett, of Glendale, Kentucky, is the owner and operator of Walter’s Wildcat World. He founded WildcatWorld.com in 1998 making it one of the oldest Kentucky basketball fan sites in operation today.

On This Day in UK Basketball History

On April 7, 2014, Kentucky sparks an exciting run to the national championship game with five freshman starters. UK, playing as an eight seed, knocks off four straight top-five seeds all by five points or less to become the first team to win five games in an NCAA Tournament by such a small margin. Freshman sharpshooter Aaron Harrison hits the game-winning 3-pointer in successive victories over Louisville, Michigan and Wisconsin in the final minute of play of each contest. UK eventually loses to UConn in the title game by a 60-54 score.

 

Wildcats Born on This Date

April 7, 1926

17 Al Reynolds

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