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Monday, Nov. 09, 2009

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No. 2: Kentucky 86, Duke 84

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. 2: Kentucky 86, Duke 84 (NCAA Tournament South Region Finals: March 22, 1998 in Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Fla.)

Mark Story's comment: If Big Blue Nation carried psychic scars from Christian Laettner and six years earlier � and it did - Tubby Smith�s first UK team supplied the healing salve. Down 17 points with 9:38 left, Kentucky rallied behind the penetrating drives of point guard Wayne Turner. With the score tied at 81 and 39.4 seconds left, Scott Padgett buried a trey that put the Cats ahead to stay in one of their most savored victories.

Frank Anderson | Staff - UK team together at center court after beating Duke 86-84 in the NCAA South Regional Final in St. Petersburg, Fla. on March 22, 1998.

Smith runs onto court after beating Duke (1998)

Frank Anderson | Staff - UK coach Tubby Smith runs out on the court after beating Duke 86-84 in the NCAA South Regional Final in St. Petersburg, Fla., on March 22, 1998.

UK celebrates at center court after beating Duke (1998)

Frank Anderson | Staff - UK team runs together at center court after beating Duke 86-84 in the NCAA South Regional Final in St. Petersburg, Fla., on March 22, 1998.

Charles Bertram | Staff - UK's Jeff Sheppard overcome with emotion after defeating Duke in the NCAA South Regional in St. Petersburg, Fla., on March 22, 1998. UK won 86-84

Padgett after game-wining shot against Duke (1998)

Charles Bertram | Staff - UK's Scott Padgett reacts after hitting the game-winning shot lat in game of the NCAA South Regional in St. Petersburg on March 22, 1998. UK beat Duke 86-84.

Charles Bertram | Staff - UK fans cheer after UK defeated Duke in the NCAA South Regional Final in St. Petersburg, Fla., on March 23, 1998.

Turner drives around Duke's Avery (1998)

Charles Bertram | Staff - Wayne Turner drives on William Avery as UK defeated Duke in the NCAA South Regional Final in St. Petersburg, Fla., on March 23, 1998.

CLICK FOR MORE PHOTOS

Photo Gallery: Most memorable games, No. 2: Kentucky 86, Duke 84
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.
» Career stats leaders
» All-time UK lettermen
» Retired jerseys

Excerpt from the original game story: In a 40-minute thriller about as exciting as the famous Christian Laettner game of six years ago, Kentucky beat Duke 86-84 yesterday.

"The ghost has now left the building," said Bill Keightley, UK's equipment manager since 1962 and its beloved Mister Wildcat. "We will no longer have to mention Christian Laettner any more."

Read the original game story.

Mark Story'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

No. 16: Kentucky 85, Louisville 51