NCAA Championship #8
KENTUCKY 67, KANSAS 59
April 2, 2012
New Orleans, LA
Kentucky captured the eighth NCAA championship in program history on April 2, 2012, defeating Kansas, 67–59, at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.
Led by consensus national player of the year Anthony Davis, the Wildcats finished 38–2, completed Southeastern Conference play with a perfect 16–0 record and earned the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. Kentucky defeated Western Kentucky, Iowa State, Indiana, Baylor, Louisville and Kansas during a dominant postseason run.
The championship team combined an exceptional freshman class with experienced returnees from Kentucky’s 2011 Final Four team. Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist supplied defense, rebounding and athleticism. Sophomores Terrence Jones and Doron Lamb returned rather than enter the NBA Draft, while freshman point guard Marquis Teague directed the offense. Senior Darius Miller accepted a reserve role and became the steady veteran presence capable of contributing wherever Kentucky needed him.
Kentucky lost only twice, with one defeat coming on a last-second shot at Indiana and the other in the SEC Tournament championship game. The Wildcats responded by winning six consecutive NCAA Tournament games and delivering John Calipari his first national championship.
Championship Season at a Glance
| Category | Result |
|---|---|
| Head coach | John Calipari |
| Assistant coaches | John Robic, Orlando Antigua and Kenny Payne |
| Overall record | 38–2 |
| SEC record | 16–0 |
| SEC finish | Regular-season champions |
| SEC Tournament | Runner-up |
| Final AP ranking | No. 1 |
| NCAA Tournament seed | No. 1 overall, South Region |
| NCAA Tournament | National champions |
| Championship opponent | Kansas |
| Championship score | Kentucky 67, Kansas 59 |
| Final Four Most Outstanding Player | Anthony Davis |
| Home arena | Rupp Arena |
View the complete 2011–12 Kentucky schedule and results
View the 2011–12 Kentucky roster
[View the 2011–12 Kentucky statistics]
Fourteen Years Between Championships
Kentucky entered the 2011–12 season seeking its first national championship since the Comeback Cats defeated Utah in 1998.
The Wildcats had remained a prominent national program during the intervening years, but repeated postseason disappointments extended the championship drought. Kentucky reached the Elite Eight in 1999, 2003, 2005 and 2010 without advancing to the Final Four.
Calipari became Kentucky’s head coach before the 2009–10 season and immediately restored the program’s national recruiting power. His first Kentucky team won 35 games behind John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins and Patrick Patterson but lost to West Virginia in the East Regional championship game.
One year later, Brandon Knight, Josh Harrellson, Miller, Jones and Lamb led Kentucky to the 2011 Final Four. The Wildcats defeated Ohio State and North Carolina before falling to Connecticut, 56–55, in the national semifinal.
That defeat shaped the championship team that followed.
Jones and Lamb could have entered the NBA Draft. Both returned, giving Kentucky two experienced scorers who understood the demands of tournament basketball. Miller came back for his senior season, while Calipari added another nationally celebrated recruiting class.
Kentucky began the season with both extraordinary talent and unfinished business.
A Championship Roster Takes Shape
Kentucky’s primary lineup featured three freshmen and two sophomores:
| Player | Position | Height | Class |
| Marquis Teague | Guard | 6-2 | Freshman |
| Doron Lamb | Guard | 6-4 | Sophomore |
| Michael Kidd-Gilchrist | Forward | 6-7 | Freshman |
| Terrence Jones | Forward | 6-9 | Sophomore |
| Anthony Davis | Forward/Center | 6-10 | Freshman |
Miller became what Calipari often described as Kentucky’s sixth starter. He appeared in all 40 games, started 11 and averaged nearly 26 minutes despite usually entering from the bench.
Freshman Kyle Wiltjer supplied perimeter shooting and frontcourt size. Senior Eloy Vargas gave Kentucky another experienced interior player, while Jarrod Polson, Twany Beckham, Jon Hood, Sam Malone and Brian Long completed the roster.
Kentucky did not possess the overwhelming bench depth of the 1995–96 champions. Its advantage came from the extraordinary versatility of the first seven players.
Each could score, but no one needed to dominate the ball. The Wildcats shared defensive responsibilities, moved the ball and accepted changing roles in pursuit of a championship.
Anthony Davis
Anthony Davis produced one of the greatest freshman seasons in college basketball history.
The Chicago native had been a guard before a dramatic high school growth spurt transformed him into a 6-foot-10 forward with unusual length and retained perimeter skills. He arrived at Kentucky as the nation’s top-ranked recruit and immediately became the foundation of the Wildcats’ defense.
Davis averaged 14.2 points, 10.4 rebounds and 4.7 blocked shots. He shot 62.3 percent from the field and finished the season with 186 blocks, establishing Kentucky, SEC and NCAA freshman records.
His influence extended far beyond the shots he rejected.
Opponents regularly altered attempts simply because Davis was nearby. Guards hesitated before attacking the basket, while post players rushed shots or passed away from favorable positions. His mobility allowed him to challenge attempts without abandoning his rebounding responsibilities.
Davis became the consensus national player of the year, SEC Player of the Year, SEC Defensive Player of the Year and national defensive player of the year.
During the NCAA Tournament, he averaged 15.2 points, 11.2 rebounds and nearly five blocks.
His most revealing performance came in the championship game. Davis made only one of 10 field-goal attempts and scored six points, yet he controlled the game with 16 rebounds, six blocks, five assists and three steals.
He became the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player without needing to lead Kentucky in scoring.
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist became the emotional heartbeat of the championship team.
The 6-foot-7 freshman played with unusual effort and physical intensity. He defended multiple positions, attacked the basket, rebounded in traffic and frequently created momentum through plays that did not appear prominently in the scoring column.
Kidd-Gilchrist averaged 11.9 points and 7.4 rebounds. He started 39 of Kentucky’s 40 games and was one of the team’s most dependable performers against elite competition.
He produced 17 points and 11 rebounds in Kentucky’s victory over North Carolina, then recorded 24 points and 19 rebounds against Louisville on New Year’s Eve.
During the NCAA Tournament, Kidd-Gilchrist delivered 19 points against Baylor and was named the South Regional’s Most Outstanding Player.
His scoring declined during the Final Four, but his defensive activity and willingness to attack remained essential. Against Kansas, he contributed 11 points and six rebounds while helping Kentucky control the first half.
Kidd-Gilchrist’s intensity established the standard the rest of the roster followed.
Terrence Jones
Terrence Jones returned for his sophomore season after helping Kentucky reach the 2011 Final Four.
The 6-foot-9 forward possessed the strength to score near the basket and the skill to handle the ball or shoot from the perimeter. He averaged 12.3 points and 7.2 rebounds while giving Kentucky another versatile defender alongside Davis and Kidd-Gilchrist.
Jones began the season strongly, scoring 15 points against Kansas and producing 26 against St. John’s. A dislocated finger interrupted his December, but he recovered and became increasingly effective during conference play.
His willingness to return to school proved significant. Jones had been one of Kentucky’s primary scorers as a freshman, but he accepted a more balanced role after Davis and Kidd-Gilchrist joined the team.
During the NCAA Tournament, Jones scored 22 points and collected 10 rebounds against Western Kentucky. He added 12 points, nine rebounds and six assists against Baylor.
In the championship game, Jones finished with nine points, seven rebounds and two blocks. His strength and defensive flexibility helped Kentucky withstand Kansas’ second-half pressure.
Doron Lamb
Doron Lamb was Kentucky’s leading perimeter shooter and one of its most efficient scorers.
The sophomore averaged 13.7 points and made 82 3-point field goals. He shot 46.6 percent from beyond the arc, making him especially dangerous when opponents concentrated on Kentucky’s frontcourt.
Lamb understood how to find open areas while Davis, Jones and Kidd-Gilchrist attracted defensive attention. He could also handle the ball and create scoring opportunities inside the arc.
His consistency became increasingly important during the postseason.
Lamb scored 16 points against Iowa State, 21 against Indiana and 14 against Baylor. In the national semifinal against Louisville, he contributed 10 points.
He saved his highest-scoring NCAA Tournament performance for the championship game.
Lamb scored 22 points against Kansas, making seven of 12 field-goal attempts and three of six 3-pointers. His consecutive second-half 3-pointers helped Kentucky resist the Jayhawks’ comeback and rebuild a double-digit lead.
Although Davis received the tournament’s top individual honor, Lamb was Kentucky’s championship-game scoring leader.
Marquis Teague
Marquis Teague directed Kentucky’s offense as a freshman point guard.
The Indianapolis native followed John Wall and Brandon Knight in Calipari’s line of highly regarded freshman playmakers. Teague’s early adjustment was not always smooth, but his decision-making improved steadily as the season progressed.
He averaged 10.0 points and a team-leading 4.8 assists. His speed allowed Kentucky to attack in transition, while his defensive pressure made it difficult for opposing guards to initiate offense comfortably.
Teague’s growth became evident during the NCAA Tournament.
He recorded eight assists against Western Kentucky, seven against Iowa State and seven more against Indiana. Against Baylor, he scored 14 points and controlled the game as Kentucky built a large first-half advantage.
Teague then delivered nine points and four assists against Louisville.
In the championship game, he scored 14 points and added three assists. His ability to penetrate the Kansas defense created opportunities for Lamb and Kentucky’s frontcourt.
By April, the freshman point guard had become the composed floor leader Kentucky needed.
Darius Miller
Darius Miller was the only senior in Kentucky’s primary rotation and the one player who had experienced every stage of the program’s transformation under Calipari.
The Maysville native had joined Kentucky before Calipari’s arrival and played on a 2008–09 team that missed the NCAA Tournament. He later contributed to the 2010 Elite Eight and the 2011 Final Four before accepting a reserve role as a senior.
Miller averaged 9.9 points and made 56 3-pointers. His ability to play several positions allowed Calipari to adjust the lineup without sacrificing experience or skill.
He could handle the ball, shoot from the perimeter, defend wings and provide calm leadership during difficult stretches.
Miller scored 19 points against Iowa State and matched that total against Indiana. He added 13 in the national semifinal victory over Louisville.
Against Kansas, he contributed five points, three rebounds and three assists.
Miller completed his Kentucky career with 1,248 points and became the first player in program history to win a Kentucky high school state championship, an NCAA championship and later an NBA championship.
His unselfish acceptance of a reserve role became one of the defining examples of the team’s collective character.
Kyle Wiltjer
Kyle Wiltjer gave Kentucky additional frontcourt size and perimeter shooting.
The 6-foot-9 freshman averaged 5.0 points while playing fewer than 12 minutes per game. His ability to stretch the floor created a different offensive look when Davis, Jones or Kidd-Gilchrist rested.
Wiltjer scored in double figures several times during the regular season and made 43.2 percent of his 3-point attempts.
Although his postseason role was limited, his shooting and frontcourt depth remained valuable over a 40-game season.
The Complete Championship Roster
Kentucky’s 2011–12 championship roster included:
The coaching and support staff included:
- John Calipari — Head coach
- John Robic — Assistant coach
- Orlando Antigua — Assistant coach
- Kenny Payne — Assistant coach
- Rod Strickland — Special assistant
- John Welch — Assistant to the head coach
- Leon Smith — Strength and conditioning coach
- Chris Simmons — Athletic trainer
- Bill Keightley — Equipment manager emeritus
Every player contributed to the practices, preparation and chemistry that carried Kentucky through 40 games.
Opening Against Kansas
Kentucky began the season with a 108–58 victory over Marist at Rupp Arena.
Four days later, the Wildcats faced Kansas in the inaugural Champions Classic at Madison Square Garden.
The matchup provided an early test against one of college basketball’s most accomplished programs. Kansas was led by Thomas Robinson, who would later challenge Davis for national player-of-the-year honors.
Kentucky won, 75–65.
Lamb led the Wildcats with 17 points, while Davis contributed 14 points, seven blocks and six rebounds. Jones added 15 points, and Kidd-Gilchrist collected nine rebounds.
The victory demonstrated the potential of Kentucky’s young lineup. It also created a championship-game rematch that few could have anticipated in November.
Winning the Hall of Fame Tip-Off
Kentucky traveled to Connecticut for the Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament.
The Wildcats defeated Penn State, 85–47, before facing Old Dominion in the championship game.
Old Dominion slowed the pace and challenged Kentucky physically. The Wildcats struggled offensively but relied on defense to earn a 62–52 victory.
The two games showed different sides of the team. Kentucky could overwhelm an opponent through athleticism, but it could also win when the pace became deliberate and scoring opportunities were limited.
That versatility would become increasingly important in March.
Davis Denies North Carolina
Kentucky entered December undefeated and ranked No. 1 before facing fifth-ranked North Carolina at Rupp Arena.
The Tar Heels featured Harrison Barnes, Tyler Zeller, John Henson and Kendall Marshall and were considered one of the leading national championship contenders.
The teams traded control throughout a tense game.
Kidd-Gilchrist recorded 17 points and 11 rebounds, while Davis scored seven and collected nine rebounds. Kentucky led, 73–72, during the final seconds.
North Carolina placed the ball in the hands of Henson, who attempted a potential go-ahead shot from the left side.
Davis extended his long right arm and blocked the attempt with seconds remaining.
Kentucky secured the ball and completed the 73–72 victory.
View the Kentucky–North Carolina game
The block became one of the defining plays of Davis’ season. It demonstrated his ability to decide a game without scoring and preserved Kentucky’s unbeaten record.
The Buzzer-Beater at Indiana
Kentucky traveled to Bloomington on December 10 to face Indiana at Assembly Hall.
The rivalry had lost some of its national importance during Indiana’s rebuilding years, but the atmosphere remained intense. The Hoosiers entered undefeated and viewed the game as an opportunity to announce their return to prominence.
Kentucky trailed by 10 during the second half before rallying.
Jones struggled and played limited minutes, but Lamb, Kidd-Gilchrist and Davis helped the Wildcats recover. Teague made two free throws to give Kentucky a 72–70 lead with fewer than six seconds remaining.
Indiana advanced the ball quickly.
Christian Watford received a pass near the right wing and made a 3-pointer as time expired.
Indiana won, 73–72.
View the Kentucky–Indiana game
The loss ended Kentucky’s undefeated start and produced one of the loudest celebrations in Assembly Hall history.
It also gave the Wildcats a weakness to confront. Kentucky had failed to finish a difficult road game and would need to become more composed in similar situations.
The Wildcats did not lose again during the regular season.
A New Winning Streak
Kentucky responded to the Indiana defeat with a 24-game winning streak.
The Wildcats defeated Chattanooga, Samford and Loyola before closing December against Louisville at Rupp Arena.
Kidd-Gilchrist produced 24 points and 19 rebounds as Kentucky defeated the Cardinals, 69–62.
The freshman’s performance reinforced his reputation as the team’s emotional leader and helped Kentucky enter conference play with renewed momentum.
The Wildcats then completed one of the finest SEC regular seasons in program history.
Perfect in the SEC
Kentucky opened conference competition with victories over South Carolina and Auburn.
The Wildcats encountered a difficult test at Tennessee, where the Volunteers reduced the game to a physical half-court contest. Kidd-Gilchrist recorded 17 points and 12 rebounds as Kentucky escaped, 65–62.
The close call was followed by an 86–63 victory over Arkansas and another tight game against Alabama.
Kentucky defeated the Crimson Tide, 77–71, and then won, 57–44, at Georgia.
The Wildcats gradually became more dominant as the conference season progressed. They won at LSU by 24, defeated Tennessee by 25 and held South Carolina to 45 points.
Davis’ control of the paint became increasingly overwhelming. He blocked seven shots against South Carolina and repeatedly discouraged opponents from attacking the basket.
Kentucky completed the SEC season with a 74–59 victory at Florida.
The Wildcats finished 16–0, becoming the first Kentucky team to complete an undefeated SEC regular season since the 2002–03 Wildcats.
Thirty Regular-Season Victories
Kentucky’s victory at Florida completed a 30–1 regular season, the first 30-win regular season in program history.
The Wildcats won all 18 games at Rupp Arena, went 8–1 in true road games and collected four additional neutral-site victories.
They finished No. 1 in the national polls and entered postseason play as the clear national championship favorite.
Kentucky’s dominance was built primarily on defense.
The Wildcats held opponents to 37.4-percent shooting and led the nation in blocked shots. Davis erased mistakes near the basket, while Kidd-Gilchrist and Jones could defend several positions.
Teague pressured opposing point guards, and Lamb used his length effectively along the perimeter.
Kentucky also shared the ball. Six players averaged between 9.9 and 14.2 points, preventing opponents from concentrating on a single scorer.
The SEC Tournament
Kentucky entered the SEC Tournament in New Orleans riding a 22-game winning streak.
The Wildcats defeated LSU, 60–51, in the quarterfinals. Jones scored 15 points and collected 11 rebounds while helping Kentucky overcome an uneven offensive performance.
Florida awaited in the semifinal.
Kentucky defeated the Gators for the third time, winning 74–71. The Wildcats advanced to face Vanderbilt in the championship game.
Kentucky had already beaten the Commodores twice during the regular season, but Vanderbilt entered the tournament with an experienced roster led by John Jenkins, Jeffery Taylor and Festus Ezeli.
The third meeting produced a different result.
Vanderbilt Ends the Streak
Kentucky led for portions of the SEC championship game but never established its normal control.
Vanderbilt remained composed, defended the perimeter and executed during the closing minutes. The Commodores defeated Kentucky, 71–64.
View the Kentucky–Vanderbilt SEC Tournament championship game
The loss ended Kentucky’s 24-game winning streak and denied the Wildcats the SEC Tournament title.
It also removed the possibility of entering the NCAA Tournament with only one defeat.
The result did not alter Kentucky’s national standing. The Wildcats still received the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament.
As with the 1996 championship team’s loss to Mississippi State, the conference-tournament defeat gave Kentucky one final reminder that talent alone would not guarantee a national title.
The Wildcats did not lose again.
Opening Against Western Kentucky
Kentucky began NCAA Tournament play against Western Kentucky at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville.
The Hilltoppers had entered the tournament with a losing record before winning a First Four game against Mississippi Valley State. Kentucky immediately established its advantage.
Jones produced 22 points and 10 rebounds, while Davis scored 16 and blocked seven shots.
Kentucky won, 81–66.
View the Kentucky–Western Kentucky NCAA Tournament game
The Wildcats advanced to face Iowa State, whose spread offense and perimeter shooting presented a more difficult challenge.
Kentucky 87, Iowa State 71
Iowa State remained competitive through much of the first half.
Royce White gave the Cyclones a strong and versatile presence, while their perimeter shooting created space around Kentucky’s defense.
The Wildcats led by only four at halftime.
Kentucky took control after the break.
Miller scored 19 points and collected six rebounds from the bench. Teague recorded seven assists, while Davis finished with 15 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks.
Kentucky won, 87–71.
View the Kentucky–Iowa State NCAA Tournament game
The victory sent the Wildcats to the South Regional in Atlanta.
Waiting there was the only team that had beaten Kentucky during the regular season.
The Indiana Rematch
The Sweet 16 matchup with Indiana carried months of anticipation.
Watford’s buzzer-beater had given the Hoosiers a memorable December victory. Kentucky now had an opportunity to answer with its season at stake.
Indiana again challenged the Wildcats offensively. The Hoosiers scored 90 points, the highest total Kentucky allowed all season.
Kentucky’s offense was even better.
Lamb scored 21 points, while Kidd-Gilchrist added 24. Miller contributed 19 from the bench, and Teague recorded seven assists.
Davis battled foul trouble and scored only nine points, but Kentucky’s balance compensated.
The Wildcats made 35 of 37 free throws and shot better than 57 percent from the field.
Kentucky defeated Indiana, 102–90.
View the Kentucky–Indiana South Regional semifinal
The 192 combined points produced one of the tournament’s most entertaining games.
Kentucky had avenged its first loss and advanced to the Elite Eight.
Baylor’s Neon Challenge
Baylor entered the South Regional championship game wearing bright neon uniforms and carrying a 30–7 record.
The Bears possessed an athletic frontcourt led by Perry Jones III, Quincy Acy and Quincy Miller. Their length appeared capable of challenging Kentucky near the basket.
Kentucky quickly removed any doubt.
The Wildcats produced a 16–0 first-half run and built a 42–22 halftime lead. Kidd-Gilchrist attacked the basket, while Davis controlled the paint defensively.
Baylor played better after halftime but never seriously threatened the lead.
Kentucky won, 82–70.
View the Kentucky–Baylor South Regional final
Kidd-Gilchrist finished with 19 points and five rebounds. Davis added 18 points, 11 rebounds and six blocks, while Jones recorded 12 points, nine rebounds and six assists.
Kentucky advanced to the Final Four for the second consecutive season.
The Wildcats’ national semifinal opponent was Louisville.
A Final Four Rivalry Game
Kentucky and Louisville had never met in the Final Four.
The programs had played on New Year’s Eve, when Kentucky won, 69–62, at Rupp Arena. Louisville improved considerably during the months that followed.
Rick Pitino’s Cardinals won the Big East Tournament and advanced through the West Region as a No. 4 seed. Their pressure defense and matchup zone created problems for every opponent.
The national semifinal brought the Commonwealth’s fiercest basketball rivalry to the sport’s largest stage.
Kentucky entered as the favorite, but the history and emotion surrounding the matchup created unusual pressure.
Kentucky 69, Louisville 61
Davis established control immediately.
He scored Kentucky’s first points, blocked shots and finished plays above the basket as the Wildcats built an early lead.
Louisville refused to allow the game to become a rout. The Cardinals increased their defensive pressure and reduced Kentucky’s advantage during the second half.
Kentucky remained composed.
Davis finished with 18 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks. Miller scored 13 from the bench, while Teague contributed nine points and four assists.
Kentucky defeated Louisville, 69–61.
View the Kentucky–Louisville national semifinal
The victory moved the Wildcats into the NCAA championship game for the first time since 1998.
It also gave Kentucky its second victory of the season over its in-state rival and ended Louisville’s unexpected tournament run.
Kansas awaited in the final.
A Rematch with Kansas
Kansas reached the championship game after defeating Detroit, Purdue, North Carolina State, North Carolina and Ohio State.
The Jayhawks were led by Thomas Robinson, the national player-of-the-year runner-up, and guard Tyshawn Taylor. Center Jeff Withey gave Kansas another imposing defender near the basket.
Kentucky had defeated the Jayhawks, 75–65, in November, but both teams had developed considerably since that first meeting.
Kansas had repeatedly recovered from second-half deficits during the tournament. The Jayhawks entered the final confident that they could survive another slow start.
Kentucky intended to prevent the comeback from ever beginning.
Kentucky Takes Command
Kentucky opened the national championship game with exceptional defensive energy.
Davis missed his early shots, but the Wildcats did not need his scoring. He blocked attempts, collected rebounds and passed effectively from the high post.
Lamb and Teague attacked from the perimeter. Kidd-Gilchrist found opportunities near the basket, while Jones supplied strength inside.
Kentucky built an 18-point first-half lead.
Kansas scored the final points before halftime, but the Wildcats still carried a 41–27 advantage into the locker room.
Kentucky had held the Jayhawks to 33-percent shooting and controlled the rebounding battle.
The eighth championship appeared close.
Kansas was not finished.
Kansas Makes Its Run
The Jayhawks increased their defensive pressure during the second half.
Robinson and Withey made scoring near the basket more difficult, while Taylor began attacking Kentucky’s guards. Kentucky’s offense slowed, and the Wildcats went through long stretches without a field goal.
Kansas gradually reduced the deficit.
A lead that had reached 18 fell to 10, then eight and finally five.
With fewer than two minutes remaining, Kentucky led, 62–57.
The Wildcats faced their most difficult closing stretch of the tournament.
They answered through defense.
Davis blocked shots and controlled rebounds. Jones denied Kansas another opportunity near the rim, while Teague and Lamb converted the free throws needed to protect the lead.
Kentucky held Kansas to only two points during the final 1:37 and won, 67–59.
View the Kentucky–Kansas national championship game
Championship Game Score
Kentucky 67, Kansas 59
April 2, 2012 — Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
| Kentucky player | Points |
| Doron Lamb | 22 |
| Marquis Teague | 14 |
| Michael Kidd-Gilchrist | 11 |
| Terrence Jones | 9 |
| Anthony Davis | 6 |
| Darius Miller | 5 |
Halftime: Kentucky 41, Kansas 27
Final Four Most Outstanding Player: Anthony Davis
View the complete Kentucky–Kansas box score
Davis Dominates Without Scoring
Davis made only one of his 10 field-goal attempts.
For most players, that shooting performance would have represented a disastrous championship game. Davis controlled nearly every other part of the contest.
He collected 16 rebounds, blocked six shots, recorded five assists and made three steals.
His passing helped Kentucky attack when Kansas surrounded the paint. His rebounding ended possessions, and his presence near the basket discouraged the Jayhawks from attacking freely.
Davis’ six points were the fewest ever scored by a Final Four Most Outstanding Player in the championship game.
The honor reflected the complete nature of his impact.
He did not need to score to be the best player on the floor.
Doron Lamb Delivers 22
Lamb became Kentucky’s leading championship-game scorer.
He made seven of 12 field-goal attempts, three of six 3-pointers and all five of his free throws.
His most important stretch came during the second half.
Kansas had reduced Kentucky’s lead and appeared to be gaining momentum when Lamb made consecutive 3-pointers. The shots restored a double-digit advantage and forced the Jayhawks to begin their comeback again.
Lamb’s 22 points were his highest total of the NCAA Tournament.
His performance ensured that Davis’ difficult shooting night would not prevent Kentucky from completing the championship run.
Teague Controls the Backcourt
Teague scored 14 points while facing the defensive pressure of Taylor and Kansas’ experienced guards.
He made five of 14 field-goal attempts and all four of his free throws. His penetration created opportunities for Lamb and prevented Kansas from completely collapsing around Kentucky’s frontcourt.
Teague also played nearly the entire game, directing Kentucky through its strong opening and the difficult second-half stretch.
His performance completed the development of a freshman point guard who had experienced uncertainty early in the season.
By the national championship game, Kentucky trusted him with the ball and the season.
Kentucky’s Eighth National Championship
The victory gave Kentucky its eighth NCAA championship.
The Wildcats had previously won four titles under Adolph Rupp, one under Joe B. Hall, one under Rick Pitino and one under Tubby Smith.
Calipari became the fifth Kentucky head coach to win a national championship.
The Wildcats completed the season with a school-record 38 victories, tying the NCAA Division I record at the time. They won 32 of their final 33 games and defeated their six NCAA Tournament opponents by a combined 71 points.
Kentucky had returned to the top of college basketball after a 14-year wait.
John Calipari’s First Championship
The title completed Calipari’s rapid restoration of Kentucky basketball.
He inherited a program that had missed the NCAA Tournament in 2009. Three seasons later, Kentucky had reached an Elite Eight, a Final Four and a national championship game.
Calipari had previously taken Massachusetts and Memphis to the Final Four but had not won the title.
The 2012 Wildcats gave him the championship that had eluded him.
His recruiting received much of the attention, but Kentucky’s victory also reflected the team’s defensive commitment and unselfishness. Highly regarded players accepted smaller offensive roles, while experienced returnees shared the spotlight with freshmen.
The championship demonstrated that a young team could win at the highest level when its talent was matched by discipline and collective purpose.
Senior Leadership from Darius Miller
Miller’s role distinguished the 2012 Wildcats from several other young Calipari teams.
He had experienced losing seasons, coaching changes, an Elite Eight defeat and a Final Four loss. His career gave the freshmen and sophomores a direct connection to the program’s difficult path back to the championship game.
Miller did not demand a starting position or a fixed number of shots.
He supplied whatever Kentucky needed.
He scored when defenses left him open, handled the ball when Teague rested and defended multiple positions. His presence gave Calipari an experienced option whenever the younger lineup became unsettled.
When the championship celebration began, teammates made certain that Miller was among the first to hold the trophy.
Six NBA Draft Selections
The talent of the championship roster became unmistakable during the 2012 NBA Draft.
Six Kentucky players were selected:
- Anthony Davis — No. 1
- Michael Kidd-Gilchrist — No. 2
- Terrence Jones — No. 18
- Marquis Teague — No. 29
- Doron Lamb — No. 42
- Darius Miller — No. 46
Davis and Kidd-Gilchrist became the first college teammates selected with the first two picks of the same NBA Draft.
Kentucky’s six selections tied the record for the most players chosen from one school in a single draft.
The draft confirmed the extraordinary talent Calipari had assembled, but the championship remained the more important accomplishment.
Those players had converted their potential into a 38–2 season and an NCAA title.
The Team of the Decade
As the 2010s concluded, an Associated Press panel selected Kentucky’s 2011–12 team as the college basketball team of the decade.
The honor reflected more than the championship.
Kentucky had dominated through defense, balance and efficiency. The Wildcats lost their two games by only eight combined points, with one defeat coming on a buzzer-beating 3-pointer.
They defeated several nationally ranked opponents and won every SEC regular-season game.
Their roster produced the national player of the year, six NBA Draft selections and a group of players whose professional careers extended well beyond the championship season.
The 2012 Wildcats became the standard against which other teams of the decade were measured.
Life After the Championship
Davis became the first overall selection in the NBA Draft and developed into one of professional basketball’s premier players. He won an NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers and represented the United States in international competition.
Kidd-Gilchrist was chosen second overall by Charlotte and played eight NBA seasons.
Jones, Lamb, Teague and Miller also entered professional basketball.
Miller later joined Davis with the New Orleans Pelicans and won an NBA championship as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Calipari continued leading Kentucky to deep NCAA Tournament runs, including the 2014 championship game and an undefeated 38–0 start in 2014–15.
The players and coaches remained permanently connected through the championship they won together in New Orleans.
Their Lasting Legacy
The 2011–12 Wildcats entered the season with enormous expectations.
They exceeded them.
Kentucky finished 38–2, went undefeated in the SEC and earned the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats combined young talent with experienced players who had already endured postseason disappointment.
Their defense separated them from nearly every opponent.
Davis controlled the basket, Kidd-Gilchrist set the emotional tone and Jones defended with strength and versatility. Teague improved into a championship point guard, while Lamb became one of the nation’s most efficient shooters.
Miller accepted a reserve role and supplied the leadership Kentucky needed.
The Wildcats avenged their loss to Indiana, defeated Baylor to reach the Final Four, overcame Louisville in a historic rivalry game and completed a season sweep of Kansas.
In the championship game, Kentucky demonstrated the quality that had defined the season.
Its best player could shoot 1-for-10, and the team could still remain in control.
Davis dominated defensively. Lamb delivered the points, Teague directed the offense and every member of the rotation contributed to the victory.
Fourteen years after the Comeback Cats won the seventh championship, Kentucky stood at the top of college basketball again.
The eighth title belonged to one of the most talented, balanced and defensively dominant teams in program history.
Photo Gallery
2012 NCAA Tournament Bracket
