BIG THREE CHAMPIONSHIP: Game 21

Moving to the East Rutherford Region, our first game features a tournament favorite against a team that barely snuck by in its first round game. The #1 1996 Kentucky Wildcats pounded the #8 ’02 Indiana Hoosiers 83%-17% in its 1st round game. The Cats broke out to an early lead and never looked back. Behind the hot shooting of Tony Delk, the Cats won by the second largest margin in the 1st round. The starters were pulled very early in the 2nd half by Coach Pitino as he looked forward to the 2nd round. The #4 1953 Indiana Hoosiers did not have that kind of luxury in its 1st round game. The Hoosiers barely snuck by the #5 1958 Kentucky Wildcats in what turned out to be a thriller. The final score was 51%-49% in favor of the Hoosiers. Don Schlundt hit a big basket with only :05 on the clock to put the Hoosiers into the lead. The Cats had a chance to tie the game but Vernon Hatton missed a 15 footer as time ran out.

BIG THREE CHAMPIONSHIP: Game 20

The bottom game in the St. Louis region provides the tournament with another All-Kentucky match-up. The #6 1984 Kentucky Wildcats upset the #3 1983 Louisville Cardinals easily by a score of 74%-26% in their first round game. The game was never really close due to Kentucky’s interior presence provided by Kenny Walker and Sam Bowie. This dynamic duo scored 16 and 17 respectively and blocked a combined total of 12 shots. They prevented the Cards from establishing any kind of post play. The #2 1954 Kentucky team won its opening game 69%-31% over the #7 2005 Louisville Cardinals. Frank Ramsey and Cliff Hagan led the Cats offensive output, scoring a combined 30 points while providing a defensive spark against the high powered Cardinal offense. The two held Taquan Dean and Francisco Garcia to a combined 24% fg shooting from the field on their way to victory.

VOTING OVER!
ST. LOUIS REGION - REGIONAL SEMIFINAL
# 2 '54 Kentucky: 70%
# 6 '84 Kentucky: 30%
UPDATED BRACKET

BIG THREE CHAMPIONSHIP: Game 19

The first game in the St Louis Region of the 2nd Round features two teams from the 70s. One blew out their first round opponent while the other squeaked by in the closing minutes. The #1 1978 Kentucky Wildcats destroyed the #8 1972 Louisville team by a whopping 94%-6%. The game got out of hand quickly when Goose Givens and Kyle Macy poured in 15 points each in the first ten minutes of the game. The Cats defense was stifling and held the Cards in check all game. They advanced to the 2nd round where they will meet the #5 1975 Louisville Cardinals, who upset the ’98 Kentucky Wildcats in the 1st round. The Cards needed the entire 40 minutes to put away the “Comeback Cats” who clawed and scratched their way back into the game several times. The Cards finally put the last nail in the Cats coffin when Jeff Sheppard fouled out of the game with just 1:23 left. Allen Murphy drained two free throws to ice the game for the Cards who were led by Junior Bridgeman and Wesley Cox with each scoring 17 points and pulling down 7 rebounds. The Cards won 52%-48%.

VOTING OVER!
ST. LOUIS REGION - REGIONAL SEMIFINAL
# 1 '78 Kentucky: 92%
# 5 '75 Louisville: 8%
UPDATED BRACKET

BIG THREE CHAMPIONSHIP: Game 18

Game 18 of the Big Three Championship features two teams with many of the same players. The #6 1993 Kentucky Wildcats face off against the #7 1992 Kentucky Wildcats after a stunning upset. The ’93 Cats won their opening round game 70%-30% over #3 ’86 Louisville. Jamal Mashburn dominated the Cards scoring a game high 25 points. Travis Ford knocked down a couple of late 3-pointers to widen the margin of victory. The ’92 Cats pulled away late from a tough ’87 Indiana team. The Hoosiers led most of the game but faltered midway through the second half when both Keith Smart and Steve Alford picked up their fourth fouls and had to sit on the bench for a while. During that stretch, John Pelphrey and Richie Farmer drained numerous 3-point shots to put the Cats into the lead. Once Smart and Alford returned, they were shut down and the Cats pulled away, winning 63%-37%.

VOTING OVER!
PHILADELPHIA REGION - REGIONAL SEMIFINAL
# 6 '93 Kentucky: 63%
# 7 '92 Kentucky: 37%
UPDATED BRACKET

BIG THREE CHAMPIONSHIP: Game 17

Game 17 of the Big Three Championship is the first game of the second round. It matches two National Champions against each other after each won easily in their first round games. The #1 1976 Indiana Hoosiers beat the #8 1959 Louisville Cardinals by a large margin in the opening game of the tournament 85%-15%. Scott May and Kent Benson led the Hoosiers in scoring and provided an early spark that sent the team out to a big lead. Early in the second half, Coach Bob Knight took out his stars to save them for the next game. The #4 1951 Kentucky Wildcats won their first round game by a comfortable 60%-40% margin. The game saw Bill Spivey and Shelby Linville lead the Cats over the #5 1940 Indiana Hoosiers. Coach Rupp left his starters in for most of the game due to a second half run put forth by the Hoosiers, but the Cats fought back and won easily.

VOTING OVER!
PHILADELPHIA REGION - REGIONAL SEMIFINAL
# 1 '76 Indiana: 51%
# 4 '51 Kentucky: 49%
UPDATED BRACKET