The 2014-15 Kentucky Wildcats are well on their way to possibly finishing the season with an undefeated record so that got us to thinking which teams in the past could actually beat John Calipari’s talented team. College basketball is full of incredible teams including John Wooden’s UCLA teams, the 1982 North Carolina Tar Heels coached by Dean Smith and the 1996 Kentucky Wildcats coached by Rick Pitino. But which teams from the past could actually defeat this year’s Kentucky team? Here are some possibilities.
Photo source: Hidden Playbook
1992 Duke Blue Devils
We all remember Christian Laettner defeating Kentucky in the Elite Eight with a last-second shot. The Blue Devils went on to defeat the Fab Five (Michigan) in the championship game to finish the season at 34-2. Duke was also the first team to repeat as national champions since UCLA won seven straight from 1967 to 1973. Coach Mike Krzyzewski had a team full of stars including Laettner, Bobby Hurley, Grant Hill, Thomas Hill and Antonio Lang.
1982 North Carolina Tar Heels
If you’re a true college basketball game, you will never forget the 1982 North Carolina Tar Heels coached by Dean Smith. The Tar Heels matched up against Patrick Ewing and the Georgetown Hoyas in one of the best college basketball championship games ever. UNC finished the season 32-2 with a team loaded with talent including Michael Jordan (who hit the memorable game-winning shot in the championship game), Sam Perkins, Matt Doherty, Jimmy Black and James Worthy.
1996 Kentucky Wildcats
The 1996 Kentucky Wildcats, coached by Rick Pitino, was perhaps the school’s best team ever. The team finished the season 34-2 behind a star-studded lineup including Anthony Epps, Tony Delk, Derek Anderson, Antoine Walker and Walter McCarty. Overall, that team boasted nine future NBA stars and is considered by many as the greatest college basketball team in the modern era. They were known as the “Untouchables” as they beat their opponents by an average of 21 points.
1972 UCLA Bruins
The 1972 UCLA Bruins were in the midst of winning their sixth straight national championship led once again by Bill Walton who put on an incredible performance against Memphis State in the title game. The ’72 Bruins (30-0) were another dominant basketball team coached by John Wooden that won games that season by more than an average of 30 points. Notable players included Walton, Larry Farmer, Keith Wilkes, Greg Lee and Henry Bibby.
1990 UNLV Runnin’ Rebels
The most memorable thing about the 1990 UNLV Runnin’ Rebels was how they destroyed Duke in the championship game by 30 points. That margin of victory still represents the most lopsided score in the history of the NCAA championship game. Coach Jerry Tarkanian coached UNLV to a record of 35-5 that season led by notable players including Greg Anthony, Anderson Hunt, Stacey Augmon, Larry Johnson and George Ackles.
1976 Indiana Hoosiers
Even today many would argue that Bob Knight’s 1976 Indiana Hoosiers were the greatest college basketball team of all time. Indiana finished the season with a record of 32-0 and are the last team to complete the season with a perfect record and national title. Notable players were Quinn Buckner, Bob Wilkerson, Tom Abernethy, Scott May and Kent Benson.