1978 Season

[Stoney Fork]

After scanning through several UK message boards yesterday I would venture to guess that the Wildcat fan barometer is leaning in the disgruntled direction. I could go into a long discussion about the attitudes of some fans but instead I think I will try to give anyone interested a chance to recall some happier times.

In 1978 there was a similiar situation surrounding UK basketball, except in this case it wasn't so much a dissatisfied fan base, but a perception that the team itself was enduring an unbearable existence by simply playing for Kentucky. Those of us old enough, remember the "season of no joy". Fortunately for that team they only had to deal with the media for the most part, there was no Internet. Of course that media was determined to make life miserable for the Wildcats from day one.

In 1996 I wrote an article recalling the season which is at my web site. During the past summer I was able to find some additional material about that year plus several photos, so I decided to update the article. For anyone interested or for those who are feeling little down with the current state of UK basketball, you can read about happier times at the site below.

1978 (http://www.stoneyforkpage.com/78.htm)

I want to thank Jon Scott for allowing me to link back to his site. Some of the photos I have used are not of the greatest quality as they have aged a bit over the last 28 years. If anyone finds any mistakes or links that do not work I would appreciate it if you would let me know.

[matt colvin]

That's excellent. Thank you very much for posting that.



The pictures alone are worth a fortune to a wildcat fan

[CatsSaintsFan]

That 1978 Season really was a season without celebration for those guys. I was 14 at the time and you just knew. The fan base wasn't disgruntled as much as it was a season that the fans knew they had CLEARLY the best team and you knew that falling to win a Championship would be deemed a failed season.

The only other time I felt that way was 1996. UMass was the only thing close to us.

there were teams in the 80's (especially 84 and 86) that you like you're chances but 78 and 96 were seasons I needed a Championship.

I went to mass the monday morning before the 78 game and prayed that God would let me see them win "just one" Championship. I vowed to never pray for another one and I never did (at least at church ;))

[POEKLM]

I went to a few games in Rupp that season. Those guys seemed normal to me. They signed autographs, greeted fans. That was a great year. I wouldn't trade those memories for anything. I wish I had a better camera back then. Remember the 110's?

[bleedbluelady]

1978 was the year I graduated from UK. As a student, I never understood why so many called it the "season of no joy". I rememberit as a fun, happy season. I didn't miss asingle home game.However, that Miss. St. game about killed me. I wish I had the sense to take some pictures back then.

[KY Blue in Carolina]

I went to every home game that season. I was a freshman @ UK that year.

There was definite pressure to win it all with the powerful lineup we had on the floor.

[cumberlandredskin]

That was a great write up,Stoney Fork. I was just a teenager back then but I remember there was a definite sense that if Joe B. didn't win it all he was gone. I really think that would have happened especially if they had went out in that first game in the NCAA's against Fla State. That is stillthe bravest move I have ever seen a coach make. He knew full well his job and reputation was on the line.In retropesct that really set the tone for the Cats in the NCAA's.

[catfanintn]

Was a Junior at UK that year. Went to every home game. Was fun to read the entire account posted cause I had taken my mom and dad to a few of the games and they recalled those games for years after that. They were poor country folks from Stanford and it meant so much for them to see UK play.

Remember there being a lottery for tickets to the MidEast Regional in Dayton. My roommate and I went in with another set of guys to see if we could win two tickets. One of the other guys won and they chose to go to the Final game (which of course turned out to be Mich. St.). My roommate and I got to go to the Miami, Oh game which was still a thrill.

Remember the celebration on the 15th floor of Kirwin Tower (had a large screen TV set up on the 15th floor lobby) after the final game was over. Was also one of the crazy 10,000 at the airport at 4:00 in the morning when they arrived (we got there about 2:00).

Great recalling those memories.

[Madiblue]

I can remember that in 1978 I wore a white t-shirt with a very poorly drawn #4 on it, my neighbor had a # 53, we didnt have a basketball goal, just a tennis ball and clothes line pole that was our goal, I cried after the Alabama game cause I thoughtwe lost and we were done, the summer after that was my first time at Basketball Camp, my father was close to Joe B. and we got a VIP tour, I can still remember in awe when I met the players, to this day i have my camp shirt and picture from that week, ever so oftenI reflect back and think about those beginnings, especially when people ask why I root so hard for the cats:wildcatface