22 Gene Stewart

On This Day in UK Basketball History

On March 20, 1942, after winning its sixth SEC championship, UK wins its first NCAA Tournament game, 46-44, over Illinois.

 

On March 20, 1946, Ralph Beard's free throw with 40 seconds left lifted the Wildcats to their first national title in the NIT, with a 46-45 victory over Rhode Island before 18,475 in the old Madison Square Garden in New York City.

 

On March 20, 1948, Kentucky defeated Holy Cross, 60-52, in the 1948 NCAA Final Four.  Alex Groza went for 23 points and Ralph Beard 13 while Kentucky held Holy Cross star Bob Cousy to five points before 18,472 in the old Madison Square Garden in New York City. This was a pivotal win in the drive to Kentucky’s first NCAA title.