Photo by Keyli Chisesi (Go Big Blue Country)
The 1978 National Champion Kentucky Wildcats will be honored during the Kentucky/Missouri game at Rupp Arena on Saturday. The University of Kentucky has been honoring teams of the past and the 1978 team is one of six to be honored during the 2017-2018 athletics season.
The 1978 Kentucky Wildcats, led by Coach Joe B. Hall, claimed the programs 5th NCAA Championship with a 94-88 victory vs. the Duke Blue Devils. The Wildcats finished with a record of 30-2, winning the SEC Championship along the way.
The Wildcats path to the title included wins vs. Florida State, Miami (OH), Michigan State, and Arkansas before a thriller vs. Duke at the Checkerdome in St. Louis, Missouri.
The 1978 title game will always be remembered as the night the “Goose” got loose. Jack “Goose” Givens was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four after his 41-point performance in the championship game, where he made 18-of-27 field goal attempts.
The 1977-1978 Kentucky Wildcats
Jack Givens
Rick Robey
Kyle Macy
James Lee
Mike Phillips
Truman Claytor
Jay Shidler
Chuck Aleksinas
LaVon Williams
Fred Cowan
Dwane Casey
Tim Stephens
Scott Courts
Chris Gettelfinger
