All-American Vernon Hatton, one of the “Fiddlin’ Five,” and the leading scorer on Kentucky’s 1958 NCAA National Championship team, has died.
Kentucky Wildcats ‘Fiddlin’ Five’ Great Vernon Hatton Has Died
John Crigler, member of UK’s 1958 championship Fiddlin’ Five squad, dies
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,”…
1958 National Champ Cats still having fun
Adolph Rupp was rough, especially on his 1958 team. Rupp said he had a collection of “fiddlers” when he needed violinists. He said it could be his worst team in years. Over 50 years later, it’s still the Fiddlin’ Five who beat Seattle 84-72 for the NCAA Championship. It turned out to be one of…
1958: The Fiddlin’ Five make sweet music
This is a story about a brash young man who had the misfortune to run into the Old Master of tournament basketball, Adolph Rupp of Kentucky. The brash young man was John Castellani of Seattle, a fast-talking, sharp-dressing 32-year-old. On the coaching level, it was no contest. Since 1952-53, when Kentucky was obliged to cancel…
Like Rome, Kentucky basketball is a storied, flawed empire
Rick Pitino, upon taking the Kentucky job three coaches ago, called it the “Roman Empire of college basketball.” Which was correct, in a way. The Emperor Nero supposedly fiddled while Rome burned. Kentucky’s 1958 NCAA champions were called the “Fiddlin’ Five.” Said Adolph Rupp, the legendary Kentucky coach: “All they can do is win. They’re…
A video tribute to the Adolph Rupp Era
This is a video tribute to Adolph Rupp Era at Kentucky featuring the coach Adolph Rupp himself and many of the great players that played under him: Dan Issel, Alex Groza, Cotton Nash, Larry Conley, Mike Pratt, Pat Riley, Vernon Hatton, John Crigler, Adrian Smith, Johnny Cox, Ed Beck, Tommy Kron, Thad Jaracz, Louie Dampier,…
Nicknames like the Fiddlin’ Five and “Dinner Bell” Mel Turpin are part of the top 25 things missed in college basketball
Sports illustrated brings us the “25 Things We Miss in College Basketball as part of it’s Nestle “Remember When” special. Read article.