NCAA Championship #5
KENTUCKY 94, DUKE 88
March 27, 1978
St. Louis
Kentucky captured the fifth NCAA championship in program history on March 27, 1978, defeating Duke, 94–88, at the Checkerdome in St. Louis.
Led by senior All-American Jack “Goose” Givens, point guard Kyle Macy and the powerful interior combination of Rick Robey and Mike Phillips, the Wildcats finished 30–2, won the Southeastern Conference championship and were ranked No. 1 in the final Associated Press poll.
Kentucky defeated Florida State, Miami of Ohio, Michigan State, Arkansas and Duke during its championship run. In the national final, Givens delivered one of the greatest performances in NCAA Tournament history, scoring 41 points in his final college game.
The victory gave Kentucky its first national championship in 20 years and made Joe B. Hall the first coach to lead the Wildcats to an NCAA title after succeeding Adolph Rupp.
Championship Season at a Glance
| Category | Result |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Joe B. Hall |
| Assistant coaches | Leonard Hamilton, Joe Dean Jr. and Dick Parsons |
| Overall record | 30–2 |
| SEC record | 16–2 |
| SEC finish | Champions |
| Final AP ranking | No. 1 |
| Final coaches ranking | No. 1 |
| NCAA Tournament | National champions |
| Championship opponent | Duke |
| Championship score | Kentucky 94, Duke 88 |
| Final Four Most Outstanding Player | Jack Givens |
| Home arena | Rupp Arena |
View the complete 1977–78 Kentucky schedule and results
View the 1977–78 Kentucky roster
View the 1977–78 Kentucky statistics
Twenty Years Without a Championship
Kentucky entered the 1977–78 season carrying expectations created by two decades without an NCAA title.
Adolph Rupp had led the Wildcats to championships in 1948, 1949, 1951 and 1958. Kentucky remained one of college basketball’s most successful programs after the Fiddlin’ Five won the fourth title, but several outstanding teams fell short of another championship.
Rupp’s Runts reached the 1966 national final before losing to Texas Western. Joe B. Hall succeeded Rupp in 1972 and guided Kentucky to the 1975 championship game, where the Wildcats lost to UCLA in John Wooden’s final game.
The defeat was especially painful for the players who remained. Givens, Robey, Phillips and James Lee were freshmen on the 1974–75 team. They had reached the championship game early in their careers and spent the next three seasons trying to return.
By their senior year, Kentucky’s championship drought had reached 20 seasons.
Anything less than a national title would be considered a disappointment.
Joe B. Hall and the Burden of Following Rupp
Joe B. Hall faced one of the most difficult assignments in college basketball when he succeeded Rupp.
Hall had played one season at Kentucky and later returned as an assistant coach. He spent seven years on Rupp’s staff before becoming head coach following the 1971–72 season.
The transition placed him under constant scrutiny. Rupp had won 876 games, 27 SEC championships and four NCAA titles. Hall was expected not merely to maintain the program, but to equal the accomplishments of one of the sport’s most successful coaches.
Hall produced strong teams almost immediately. Kentucky reached the 1975 national championship game and won the 1976 National Invitation Tournament, but neither accomplishment ended questions about whether he could deliver the NCAA title.
The 1977–78 team was talented, experienced and nationally ranked. That only increased the pressure.
Kentucky began the season as a championship favorite. Hall understood that a successful regular season would not be enough.
A Veteran Championship Core
The heart of the team was an exceptional senior class that had developed together since arriving in Lexington in 1974.
| Player | Position | Height | Class |
| Jack Givens | Forward | 6-4 | Senior |
| Rick Robey | Forward/Center | 6-10 | Senior |
| Mike Phillips | Center | 6-10 | Senior |
| James Lee | Forward | 6-5 | Senior |
| Kyle Macy | Guard | 6-3 | Sophomore |
| Truman Claytor | Guard | 6-1 | Junior |
Givens, Robey, Phillips and Lee had experienced the 1975 championship-game loss. They understood the demands of postseason basketball and knew their final opportunity was approaching.
Macy, a transfer from Purdue, supplied the floor leadership and outside shooting Kentucky had lacked. Claytor gave the Wildcats another experienced guard and dependable perimeter threat.
Kentucky also possessed unusual depth. Jay Shidler, Fred Cowan, LaVon Williams, Chuck Aleksinas and several other reserves gave Hall options at nearly every position.
The roster combined senior experience, interior strength, outside shooting and a point guard capable of controlling the game.
Jack “Goose” Givens
Jack Givens became the central figure in Kentucky’s pursuit of its fifth championship.
The Lexington native had starred at Bryan Station High School before joining the Wildcats. His smooth shooting touch and ability to score from several areas of the court made him one of the most difficult matchups in college basketball.
Givens averaged a team-leading 18.1 points during the championship season. At 6-foot-4, he could post up smaller defenders, shoot over guards and move effectively without the ball.
He was not physically overpowering. His success came from timing, footwork, touch and an instinctive understanding of how to find open space.
Givens led Kentucky in scoring during the regular season and earned consensus All-America recognition. His defining performance, however, came in his final college game.
Against Duke, Givens scored 41 points, including Kentucky’s final 16 points of the first half. His performance delivered the championship that had eluded the program for two decades.
Rick Robey
Rick Robey gave Kentucky strength, toughness and dependable production near the basket.
The 6-foot-10 senior averaged 14.4 points and was one of the Wildcats’ leading rebounders. He could score with either hand, establish deep position and absorb the physical contact that came with playing inside.
Robey and Phillips became known as Kentucky’s “Twin Towers.” Their size allowed the Wildcats to control the boards and challenge opponents around the basket.
Robey was particularly effective during the postseason. He scored 20 points and collected 11 rebounds against Duke, giving Kentucky the interior scoring needed to complement Givens’ remarkable performance.
His strength also helped Kentucky survive the physical games against Michigan State and Arkansas on the way to the final.
Mike Phillips
Mike Phillips completed Kentucky’s imposing interior combination.
Like Robey, Phillips stood 6-foot-10 and had been part of the senior class that reached the 1975 championship game. He averaged 10.2 points during his final season and gave Hall another experienced scorer and rebounder.
Phillips started most of the season and was often asked to defend the opponent’s strongest interior player. His ability to battle physically allowed Robey and Givens to operate more freely.
He played an especially important role in Kentucky’s NCAA Tournament opener against Florida State. While Hall benched several other starters during the second half, Phillips remained on the floor and helped stabilize the Wildcats.
He finished that game with 14 points, six rebounds and two steals as Kentucky escaped a dangerous opening-round challenge.
Kyle Macy
Kyle Macy brought organization, confidence and precision to Kentucky’s backcourt.
The Indiana native had played his freshman season at Purdue before transferring to Kentucky. NCAA rules required him to sit out the 1976–77 season, but he became the Wildcats’ starting point guard as soon as he was eligible.
Macy averaged 12.5 points and led Kentucky’s offense with his passing and decision-making. He was also one of the country’s finest free-throw shooters and became recognizable for blowing on his shooting hand before each attempt.
His calm personality balanced the pressure surrounding the team. Macy rarely appeared rushed, even during the most important moments of the season.
Against Michigan State in the Mideast Regional championship game, he made 10 of 11 free throws as Kentucky survived, 52–49. In the national final, Macy made all three of his field-goal attempts, scored nine points and recorded eight assists.
James Lee
James Lee gave Kentucky one of the nation’s most productive reserves.
The 6-foot-5 senior was strong, athletic and capable of changing a game through scoring, rebounding and physical defense. Although he did not regularly start, Lee averaged 11.3 points and played starter-level minutes.
His willingness to accept a reserve role reflected Kentucky’s depth. On many teams, Lee would have been a featured starter. For the Wildcats, he became a powerful option from the bench.
Lee was one of the players Hall turned to when Kentucky struggled against Florida State. His energy helped reverse the direction of the game.
He also scored eight points and collected four rebounds against Duke, providing important production during the championship victory.
Truman Claytor
Truman Claytor supplied perimeter shooting and defensive experience.
The Ashland, Kentucky, native averaged 6.9 points and shared backcourt responsibilities with Macy. Claytor could play either guard position and became especially valuable when Kentucky needed another ball handler.
He played 24 minutes against Duke, scoring eight points and adding three assists. His performance allowed Hall to use a smaller and quicker lineup for stretches of the championship game.
Claytor’s ability to contribute without dominating the ball made him an ideal complement to Macy and Kentucky’s high-scoring frontcourt.
The Complete Championship Roster
Kentucky’s 1977–78 championship roster included:
The coaching and support staff included:
- Joe B. Hall — Head coach
- Leonard Hamilton — Assistant coach
- Joe Dean Jr. — Assistant coach
- Dick Parsons — Assistant coach
- Walt McCombs — Assistant trainer
- Don Sullivan — Manager
The depth of the roster became crucial during the NCAA Tournament. Hall was willing to substitute aggressively and hold established starters accountable when Kentucky lacked energy.
That willingness nearly saved the season in the opening round.
A Powerful Beginning
Kentucky opened the season with a 110–86 victory over Southern Methodist at Rupp Arena.
The Wildcats then defeated Indiana, 78–64, before earning an important 73–66 road victory over Kansas at Allen Fieldhouse.
Kentucky’s combination of experience and size immediately became apparent. The Wildcats could score in transition, control the paint and rely on several different offensive options.
They overwhelmed South Carolina, Portland State, St. John’s and Iona, scoring more than 100 points in three of those four games.
Kentucky entered its New Year’s Eve meeting with Notre Dame undefeated.
The Wildcats defeated the Fighting Irish, 73–68, at Freedom Hall and moved into conference play without a loss.
Establishing Control of the SEC
Kentucky opened SEC competition by defeating Vanderbilt, Florida, Auburn, LSU, Mississippi and Mississippi State.
The Wildcats won several of those games decisively. They scored 101 points at Auburn and defeated LSU by 20 at Rupp Arena.
Kentucky entered its January 23 game at Alabama with a 13–0 record.
The Crimson Tide ended the unbeaten run, defeating the Wildcats, 78–62, in Tuscaloosa.
It was Kentucky’s poorest performance of the season. The Wildcats struggled offensively and suffered their first defeat by a wide margin.
The loss raised familiar questions. Kentucky possessed championship talent, but critics wondered whether the team could maintain the intensity required to win in March.
The Wildcats responded by winning their next four games.
The Loss at LSU
Kentucky traveled to Baton Rouge on February 11 carrying a 17–1 record.
The game became one of the highest-scoring and most dramatic contests of the season. LSU defeated Kentucky, 95–94, handing the Wildcats their second loss.
Unlike the defeat at Alabama, the one-point result offered no reason for panic. Kentucky had remained competitive in a difficult road environment but had failed to make the final defensive stop.
The Wildcats did not lose again.
They won their final eight regular-season games, including victories over Tennessee, Alabama, UNLV and Vanderbilt.
Kentucky completed conference play with a 16–2 record and captured the SEC championship.
Because the SEC Tournament had not yet resumed, the regular-season title served as the conference championship.
The Final Regular-Season Run
Kentucky’s response to the LSU loss revealed the team’s maturity.
The Wildcats defeated Mississippi on the road and then returned home to beat Tennessee, Mississippi State and Alabama.
The 58–56 victory over Mississippi State was especially difficult. Kentucky had to survive a low-scoring game in which every possession mattered.
The Wildcats then won at Tennessee and Georgia before facing nationally prominent UNLV in the home finale.
Robey scored 26 points as Kentucky defeated the Rebels, 92–70, at Rupp Arena.
Kentucky closed the regular season with a 78–68 victory at Vanderbilt. The win completed an eight-game streak and sent the Wildcats into the NCAA Tournament with a 25–2 record.
The regular season had produced an SEC championship and the nation’s No. 1 ranking.
The only acceptable conclusion was an NCAA title.
No Easy Opening Round
Kentucky began NCAA Tournament play against Florida State on March 11 at Stokely Athletic Center in Knoxville.
The Wildcats were heavily favored. Instead of controlling the game, they appeared sluggish and unfocused.
Florida State took advantage and carried a lead into halftime.
Hall responded with one of the boldest decisions of his coaching career. He benched several starters and turned to Kentucky’s reserves.
The move was risky. A first-round loss would have ended the seniors’ careers and intensified the criticism Hall had faced for six seasons.
The reserves changed the game.
They increased the defensive pressure, attacked with greater energy and helped erase the deficit. Kentucky regained control and eventually defeated Florida State, 85–76.
View the Kentucky–Florida State NCAA Tournament game
The nine-point final margin concealed how close the Wildcats had come to elimination.
The game also demonstrated the importance of Kentucky’s depth. The championship run might have ended immediately without the response from the bench.
Kentucky 91, Miami of Ohio 69
Kentucky advanced to the Mideast Regional semifinal in Dayton, Ohio, against Miami of Ohio.
The Wildcats delivered a far more convincing performance than they had against Florida State.
Kentucky established control offensively and defeated Miami, 91–69.
View the Kentucky–Miami of Ohio NCAA Tournament game
The 22-point victory moved Kentucky into the regional championship game against Michigan State.
The Spartans featured a talented freshman point guard named Earvin “Magic” Johnson.
Kentucky Against Magic Johnson
Michigan State entered the regional final with the size, athleticism and confidence to challenge Kentucky.
Johnson had already emerged as one of the most exciting young players in college basketball. At 6-foot-8, he possessed the size of a forward and the passing ability of a point guard.
Kentucky’s defensive plan concentrated on limiting Johnson’s ability to create transition opportunities and involve his teammates.
The game became a slow, physical struggle. Neither team shot particularly well, and every possession became important.
Kentucky held Johnson to six points on 2-of-10 shooting and forced him into six turnovers.
Macy became essential at the free-throw line. He made 10 of 11 attempts, helping the Wildcats protect a narrow advantage.
Kentucky defeated Michigan State, 52–49.
View the Kentucky–Michigan State Mideast Regional final
The Wildcats had survived their lowest-scoring game of the season and advanced to the Final Four.
One year later, Johnson and Michigan State won the national championship.
Returning to the Final Four
The 1978 Final Four was played at the Checkerdome in St. Louis.
Kentucky entered as the tournament favorite, but its first opponent was a familiar SEC rival.
Arkansas had joined the Southwest Conference decades earlier, but the programs shared regional history and considerable basketball tradition. The Razorbacks featured Sidney Moncrief, Ron Brewer and Marvin Delph, the celebrated trio known as the Triplets.
Arkansas entered the national semifinal with a 31–3 record and enough defensive ability to challenge Kentucky’s experienced lineup.
The game became another physical, low-scoring contest.
Kentucky 64, Arkansas 59
Kentucky and Arkansas remained close throughout the national semifinal.
The Wildcats relied on their defense, rebounding and senior experience. Arkansas attempted to create opportunities for Moncrief and Brewer, but Kentucky prevented either from developing a sustained scoring run.
Givens and Robey supplied much of Kentucky’s offense, while Macy controlled the pace from the backcourt.
The Wildcats maintained their composure during the closing minutes and defeated Arkansas, 64–59.
View the Kentucky–Arkansas national semifinal
The five-point victory placed Kentucky in the NCAA championship game for the first time since 1975.
For Givens, Robey, Phillips and Lee, the result provided one final opportunity to finish what they had started as freshmen.
Duke awaited in the final.
Duke’s Unexpected Tournament Run
Duke entered the 1977–78 season without the championship expectations surrounding Kentucky.
The Blue Devils had finished 14–13 the previous year and had not appeared in the NCAA Tournament since 1966. Under head coach Bill Foster, however, they developed into one of the season’s most surprising teams.
Duke featured freshman center Mike Gminski, forward Kenny Dennard, guard Jim Spanarkel and freshman Gene Banks. The Blue Devils combined young talent with a disciplined zone defense that had frustrated opponents throughout the tournament.
Duke defeated Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Villanova and Notre Dame to reach the championship game.
The Blue Devils were attempting to win the first NCAA title in program history.
Kentucky was attempting to end 20 years of frustration.
The Championship Game
Kentucky and Duke met on March 27, 1978, before 18,271 spectators at the Checkerdome.
The game remained close through much of the first half.
Duke’s zone defense attempted to prevent Kentucky from establishing Robey and Phillips near the basket. The approach left openings in the middle of the floor, where Givens repeatedly found space.
Kentucky led, 29–28, when Givens took complete control.
He scored the Wildcats’ final 16 points of the first half. Duke changed defenders and adjusted the zone, but nothing disrupted his rhythm.
Givens made jump shots from the baseline, scored from the middle and converted opportunities near the basket.
By halftime, he had scored 23 points and Kentucky led, 45–38.
The seven-point margin gave the Wildcats control, but Duke remained close enough to threaten.
“Goose! Goose! Goose!”
Kentucky supporters inside the Checkerdome recognized that they were witnessing an extraordinary performance.
As Givens continued scoring, chants of “Goose! Goose! Goose!” filled the arena.
Duke could not find a defender capable of stopping him. Givens moved without the ball, caught passes in favorable positions and released his shot before the defense could recover.
He did not rely on a 3-point line, which did not yet exist in NCAA basketball. All 18 of his field goals counted for two points.
Givens eventually scored 41, making 18 of 27 field-goal attempts and five of eight free throws. He also collected eight rebounds and recorded three assists.
His total fell only three points short of the championship-game record.
It remains the highest-scoring NCAA Tournament performance by a Kentucky player.
Rick Robey Controls the Interior
While Givens dominated the scoring, Robey controlled the area around the basket.
The senior made eight of 11 field-goal attempts and scored 20 points. He also collected 11 rebounds, giving Kentucky an important advantage against Gminski and Duke’s frontcourt.
Robey’s strength prevented Duke from focusing every defender on Givens. When the Blue Devils extended the zone, Kentucky could pass inside and rely on Robey to finish.
His rebounding became especially important during the second half as Duke attempted to reduce the lead.
Givens’ 41-point performance became the defining memory, but Kentucky would not have won without Robey’s 20 points and 11 rebounds.
Macy Directs the Offense
Macy delivered an almost flawless performance from the point guard position.
He made all three of his field-goal attempts and scored nine points. More importantly, he recorded eight assists while committing only limited mistakes against Duke’s changing defenses.
Macy repeatedly found Givens in the soft areas of the zone. He understood when to feed Robey inside, when to slow the pace and when to attack.
His control allowed Kentucky to continue producing quality shots even as the pressure increased during the second half.
The sophomore point guard’s poise was remarkable for a player appearing in his first NCAA championship game.
Duke’s Second-Half Challenge
Duke refused to disappear.
Banks, Spanarkel and Gminski continued scoring, and the Blue Devils repeatedly attempted to reduce Kentucky’s lead. Duke attacked the basket and drew fouls, creating opportunities at the free-throw line.
Kentucky’s frontcourt encountered foul trouble. Phillips fouled out after playing only 11 minutes, forcing Hall to adjust the rotation.
Lee, Claytor and other reserves provided important minutes. Lee scored eight points, while Claytor also added eight.
Duke remained within reach during the closing minutes, but Kentucky answered every challenge.
Givens continued making shots, Robey controlled the interior and Macy protected the basketball.
Kentucky completed the 94–88 victory.
View the Kentucky–Duke national championship game
Championship Game Score
Kentucky 94, Duke 88
March 27, 1978 — Checkerdome, St. Louis, Missouri
| Kentucky player | Points |
| Jack Givens | 41 |
| Rick Robey | 20 |
| Kyle Macy | 9 |
| James Lee | 8 |
| Truman Claytor | 8 |
| Mike Phillips | 4 |
| Jay Shidler | 2 |
| LaVon Williams | 2 |
Halftime: Kentucky 45, Duke 38
Final Four Most Outstanding Player: Jack Givens
View the complete Kentucky–Duke box score
One of the Greatest Championship Performances
Givens’ 41 points immediately became one of the defining individual performances in NCAA Tournament history.
He scored nearly 44 percent of Kentucky’s points and made two-thirds of his 27 field-goal attempts. His 23 first-half points prevented Duke from gaining control, and his final 16 points before halftime gave the Wildcats a lead they never surrendered.
The performance was especially meaningful because it came in his final game.
Givens had arrived at Kentucky as a highly regarded hometown prospect, experienced the disappointment of the 1975 championship loss and carried the expectations of an entire program into his senior season.
He left the court as a national champion and Final Four Most Outstanding Player.
His No. 21 jersey was later retired by Kentucky.
Kentucky’s Fifth National Championship
The victory ended the longest championship drought Kentucky had experienced since winning its first title.
Twenty years had passed since Hatton, Cox and the Fiddlin’ Five defeated Seattle in 1958.
During that span, Kentucky continued winning SEC championships, producing All-Americans and reaching the NCAA Tournament. The program’s supporters nevertheless measured success by national titles.
The 1978 Wildcats finally delivered the fifth championship.
They finished 30–2, won their final 13 games and defeated five NCAA Tournament opponents with contrasting styles.
They survived Florida State’s upset attempt, overwhelmed Miami, defended Magic Johnson, outlasted Arkansas and then defeated Duke behind Givens’ historic performance.
Hall Steps Out of Rupp’s Shadow
The championship permanently changed how Hall’s Kentucky career was viewed.
He was no longer simply the coach who had followed Rupp. He had won a national championship of his own.
Hall had recruited and developed the senior class, added Macy to organize the offense and made difficult decisions throughout the tournament. His decision to bench established starters against Florida State helped prevent an opening-round defeat.
The title also made Hall the first person to play for an NCAA championship coach at Kentucky, serve as an assistant under that coach and later win a national championship as the program’s head coach.
When asked about the pressure surrounding the season, Hall explained that it had not existed for only one year. It had followed him throughout his six seasons as head coach.
The victory finally released that burden.
The Seniors Finish What They Started
Givens, Robey, Phillips and Lee completed their Kentucky careers together as national champions.
As freshmen, they had watched UCLA celebrate the 1975 title. Three years later, they returned Kentucky to the championship game and finished the task.
Their four seasons included:
- The 1975 NCAA championship game
- The 1976 NIT championship
- Multiple SEC championships
- Four consecutive postseason appearances
- The 1978 NCAA championship
The seniors had experienced disappointment, criticism and enormous expectations. Their final season ended with a 30–2 record and the program’s first national title in two decades.
A Championship Built on Depth
Kentucky’s starting lineup attracted most of the attention, but the championship required contributions from the entire roster.
The reserves rescued the Wildcats against Florida State. Lee supplied scoring and physical strength throughout the tournament. Claytor shared the backcourt duties, while Shidler, Cowan and Williams provided important minutes.
Aleksinas gave Kentucky additional size. Casey, Courts, Gettelfinger and Stephens supplied depth and practice competition.
The coaching staff also included two men who later became prominent head coaches.
Leonard Hamilton went on to lead Oklahoma State, Miami and Florida State. Dwane Casey later became a successful NBA head coach, although he was a player rather than a coach on the 1978 roster.
The championship team included numerous individuals whose influence continued long after the final game.
The 1978 Japan Tour
Kentucky’s season did not end with the victory over Duke.
During June, the Wildcats traveled to Japan for a seven-game exhibition tour against the Japanese national team.
Kentucky won all seven games:
- 104–71 in Tokyo
- 102–89 in Niigata
- 97–59 in Nagoya
- 87–82 in Osaka
- 88–61 in Fukuoka
- 122–79 in Nagasaki
- 125–57 in Tokyo
The exhibition results were not included in Kentucky’s official 30–2 record.
The trip allowed the national champions to represent the university internationally and provided a final shared experience for the departing seniors.
Life After the Championship
Several members of the team continued into professional basketball.
Robey was selected third overall in the 1978 NBA Draft and later won an NBA championship with the Boston Celtics in 1981.
Givens was selected in the first round by the Atlanta Hawks and played professionally before beginning a long broadcasting career.
Macy became a first-round NBA selection in 1979 and played seven professional seasons. He later entered coaching.
Phillips, Lee and Claytor also played professionally.
Casey built a long coaching career in college and the NBA, including serving as head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Toronto Raptors and Detroit Pistons. He was named NBA Coach of the Year in 2018.
Hamilton became one of the most successful coaches in Florida State history.
Retired Jerseys
Kentucky later retired jerseys honoring several members of the championship team:
- Jack Givens — No. 21
- Rick Robey — No. 53
- Kyle Macy — No. 4
- Mike Phillips — No. 55
- James Lee — No. 32
Hall was also honored by Kentucky for his coaching accomplishments.
The banners recognize a team whose individual talent was matched by its collective importance to the program.
Givens remains permanently identified with the 41-point championship performance, but the retired jerseys also reflect the strength and balance surrounding him.
Their Lasting Legacy
The 1977–78 Wildcats entered the season with one goal and almost no margin for failure.
They were experienced, talented and ranked among the best teams in the country. They also carried the pressure of a 20-year championship drought and the expectations that followed Hall after he replaced Rupp.
Kentucky lost only twice. The Wildcats won the SEC championship, finished No. 1 in the national polls and closed the season with 13 consecutive victories.
Their NCAA Tournament run required every part of the roster.
The reserves prevented disaster against Florida State. The offense overwhelmed Miami. The defense limited Magic Johnson and Michigan State. The seniors survived Arkansas.
Then Givens produced 41 points against Duke.
His performance became the unforgettable image of the championship, but the title represented four years of work by a senior class that had experienced the pain of losing the national final as freshmen.
The victory gave Kentucky its fifth NCAA championship, established Hall as a championship coach and returned the Wildcats to the top of college basketball.
Twenty years of waiting ended beneath the lights in St. Louis as the Checkerdome echoed with one word:
Goose.
Photo Gallery
Most Outstanding Player: Jack Givens – game-high 41 points on 18-of-27 shooting with eight rebounds
1978 NCAA Tournament Bracket
