No. 9: Kentucky 81, Massachusetts 74

Mark Story recounts UK's 25 most memorable basketball games since the 1983-84 season.

Herald-Leader Sports Columnist Mark Story has looked back at Kentucky basketball games since the 1983-84 season, when the Herald-Leader began its electronic archive, and has selected his top 25 most memorable games. One game will be revealed each day until Nov. 11. Check each day to see where your favorite game was ranked.

No. 9: Kentucky 81, Massachusetts 74 (NCAA Tournament Final Four: March 30, 1996 in Continental Arena, East Rutherford, N.J.)

Mark Story's comment: In a game that many believed was 1996�s de facto national title game, UK was ranked No. 2, while John Calipari and UMass were No. 1. The matchup proved one of the most intensely fought college basketball games ever played. Avenging an early-season loss to Marcus Camby and crew, UK prevailed with � of all people � Mark Pope making the game�s pivotal two late foul shots.

Charles Bertram | Staff - UK's Tony Delk puts up a shot in heavy traffic during the second half of the NCAA Final Four semifinal against Massachusetts in East Rutherford, N.J. March 30, 1996. UK won 81-74

Photo Gallery: Most memorable games, No. 9: Kentucky 81, UMass 74
Mark Story: UK hoops blasts from the past - Choosing 25 most memorable games since 1983 requires longer list
Men's basketball:
» Game story archive: Look up any UK basketball game story written by the Herald-Leader, dating back to 1983.
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» All-time UK lettermen
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Excerpt from the original game story: Kentucky (33-2) did not perform with textbook precision. The Cats missed six of 10 free throws during a stretch when a 15-point second-half lead shrank to 63-60. Almost five stubborn minutes remained.

Mark Pope rode to the rescue, making six of six free throws in the final six minutes. The shots came with UK clinging to leads of five, three and three points.

"I was thinking I'd better make these or I won't be able to go back to Lexington," Pope said with a smile.

Read the original game story.

Mark's previous picks

No. 25: Kentucky 76, Louisville 75

No. 24: Gardner-Webb 84, Kentucky 68

No. 23: Kentucky 74, Houston 67

No. 22: Louisville 65, Kentucky 56

No. 21: Kentucky 60, Louisville 58

No. 20: Kansas 150, Kentucky 95

No. 19: Kentucky 51, Auburn 49

No. 18: Kentucky 70, Florida 55

No. 17: Kentucky 79, North Carolina 59