1996 NCAA Championship Kentucky vs. Syracuse

The 1996 title game between Kentucky and Syracuse. I do not own or profit from this video.

[@NotLad_TTV]

Who is here watching the head head coach pope? In 2024!

[@UKHoopsJeff]

Yep

[@Productions-rf5he]

I'm here because I bleed blue because of BBN!

[@NicholasStarnes-m6q]

This was my teenage years. Pope was one of my all time favorites. Hopefully the younger generation will come around to him because he loves this program maybe more than any coach in Kentuckys history.

[@jenniferdrake1370]

Me

[@chadroberts6344]

Here I am😅

[@tumbleweedconnection7906]

Kentucky from 92-99.. 7 elite 8s, 4 final 4s, 3 title games, 2 championships... that's quite an 8 year run.

[@brandonmorris92]

Could've been four titles in the 90s had it not been for two fellas named Latiener (1992) (I think that's how you say his last name) and Simon (1997). This would've given Kentucky 11 titles all time, tying UCLA. Plus, Kentucky (had they not choked against against UConn and Wisconsin) would've been immortal in 2014 and 2015. Title #13

[@aes1007]

Thanks Rick & Tubby

[@ladybassplayer23]

Go Big Blue. Coach Pope let’s go. BBN

[@kentuckyman21]

That was the golden era. Cal came close in 2009-17

[@elliemyers6435]

@@brandonmorris92 I wouldn't say UK choked against either Wisco or Uconn, sometimes you just lose...Especially given that in 2014, there were so many close games UK had that really could've gone either way. But yeah, 1992, without the Laettner shot, UK probably wins that year (them or Indiana), and it's crazy how close they were to a 3peat in 1997, which I believe was Rick's best overall coaching job, given what he lost from 1996, to getting within a few possessions of going back to back. And, if Nazr Mohammed makes a free throw in that 1997 title game, they may win in regulation. Seriously, what a run that was.

[@jkckmarcumful]

The 1996 Kentucky Wildcats had their opponents beat in the warm ups. Arguably, one of the greatest college basketball teams of all time.

[@donallen5798]

NO THE T5AR HEEL WITH JORDAN WORTH DAUGHTER AND PERKINS AND KEVIN SMITH AT THE POITH GUARD TWO HALL FAMERDS PLUS GUYS WHO HAD VERYDEOUBLE DIGIT YEARS LONG CAREERS AND CHAMPIONS SHIP THIER OWN PERKINS WOINS CHAMPION SHIP EVERY WHERE HE WENT LIKE THREE PLACE3S

[@amandahouse5622]

@@donallen5798 Waaa????

[@Maxbps88]

Not even arguably. Without question better than any unc team (including Jordan-Worthy-Perkins). #1 team in the country on the floor. #2 team in the country on the bench. Deeper than any team in history and most talent. I challenge anyone to name another team with this much talent and as deep with, at the time, one of the best college basketball coaches ever.

[@Maxbps88]

And the 2nd best in college history is UK 2012.

[@elliemyers6435]

@@Maxbps88 This is semantics.....All of these teams are great. Jordan-Worhy-Perkins 1982 UNC is great, this Kentucky team is also great (though this kentucky team didn't have NBA star power. Walker was an all-star, but Delk, Anderson, Mercer, McCarty were all decent to good NBA role players)...2012, also really only has AD in terms of NBA stars (though that team was also terrific)....I also like 1991 Duke, and 1990 UNLV....Also, sometimes the teams with the most talent don't win....A la Kentucky in 2015, UNC in 1995, 1997, and 1998, Duke in 2002, UNC in 1984, and Houston in 1983. All of those teams were loaded with talent, but got knocked off.

[@orangescoop13]

RIP Billy Packer. I really enjoyed your call on this game.

[@Gldtr39]

The Pope 1:36:35 the play he’s talking about

[@stevetackett581]

I’ll always appreciate and care for Coach Pitino. He did so much for UK. Everyone is human, so I don’t care about the small stuff. We all have done things we’re not proud of. I was in my early 20’s at the time of this chip, and I was always so proud Pitino was our coach.

[@ckludecke]

Man do I feel old watching this

[@virgil5650]

Right there with you

[@hdhxhebdh]

Ya i was 11 years old when they won 😊 now im 39. Wow life flys by so fast 😢😅

[@wramsey2656]

Great teams can have great players with off nights and still dig down the bench to find a way to win. Glad you guys showed the post game activities!!!

[@jordanpope1672]

for kentucky it was all business. that mentality was building in the program since the haunting losses of ‘92 and ‘93. they weren’t going to be denied. they actually didn’t play a great final four. they missed free throws, easy shots, and the games were called closely. uk got more than their fair share of calls, it just wasn’t conducive to their style. but they couldn’t get tired, couldn’t get into foul trouble, and were too athletic. they were a bunch of tweeners. at 34-2, having beat everyone on their schedule, with both losses to eventual final four teams, and being deeper than maybe any team ever, they were one of the most superior teams to ever do it. unselfish and relentless. kentucky’s greatest team.

[@GBeret83]

This was a good Syracuse team, but they had the misfortune of running into a great, loaded Kentucky team. Delk had a huge shooting night for Kentucky with those seven 3-pointers, but lest we forget, freshman Ron Mercer scored 20 points for Kentucky in this game coming off the bench.

[@showboat92]

Agreed. Cuse needed another player or two. Scoring guard.

[@eveningstar4543]

Ky had a really deep roster in 96. I'd wager their 2nd string would beat most top teams.

[@mitchellwright2943]

That UK team was a beast in 96,97 and 98.

[@roberttaylor914]

This Kentucky team has been named as the best college team of all time

[@stevenabitante8750]

Yup Kentucky Wildcats are #1 for 1996!

[@josepha3805]

No no Dook 92

[@aes1007]

No UK no d**e

[@brentmnichols79]

As it should be 😊

[@terrygerych7327]

john wallace's senior year at syracuse, capped off by leading his team to this championship game, turned out to be the highlight of his basketball career. sometimes it's better to stay in school!

[@jliuatl]

I called him John William Wallace - it was close to around the time Braveheart came out. And he played like he was larger than life. Just came up a bit short.

[@Fultonfalcons86]

Yeah sadly it is all about the money smh///////

[@jamesgarner176]

As a wildcat fan.. I respected Wallace. Enjoyed watching him play..

[@Ispeakthetruthify]

He was a Senior, how could he "stay in school"? He was done as a player. And he damn near had a 10 year NBA career. I'd say that's pretty successful and lucrative career. He may have not been a superstar, but that's still pretty good.

[@mcmorelane3818]

This is comment is atrocious

[@mrtruthhurts2307]

1996 Kentucky Wildcats was loaded all those lottery picks they we're basically a NBA team in college

[@TempeSoldier123]

Yeah, Syracuse didn't stand a chance.

[@allengreene9954]

Those Kentucky Teams of the late 90s were like the Alabama of College Basketball👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿

[@romowasbetterthanaikman3932]

This SU didn’t have the talent that this UK team did, but they played with a lot of heart.

[@dwphillips42]

Its wild seeing a young Rick Pitino. if he hadnt left Kentucky, he would've had several titles.

[@Wetrockstah2116]

Best team in the History of ncaa basketball. Uk went on one of the most dominant 8 year runs in history with multiple final four appearances, eltie 8 appearances and 3 championship games. With an injured derek Anderson they lost to Arizona in OT in 97, which was basically the bench from this 96 squad that went on to win another championship in 98. And what Truly make this impressive is this entire era was probably the strongest era in college basketball history, putting out what was some of the best nba drafts of all time. And 96 UK rolled through that tournament that year with the highest point differential margin in history. And still to this day they still hold that record. This past years uconn team came close to it with their dominant tournament run, but they would have had to beat San Diego state by 30 to break the record. 1996 UK definitely the best college team of all time. Without a shadow of a doubt.

[@vdubproductions2646]

This was the last time a Final Four was held in an NBA/NHL arena .

[@aaronhutchinson885]

The big east absolutely stacked this year. 3 1st team all americans in Iverson, Ray Allen and Kerry Kittles. Then Cuse makes the NCAA finals. Let alone, maybe the most stacked college team I've seen in all my years. They had 9+ nba players on this roster and a foundation 3 consecutive finals appearances and 2 chips, that could've been 3 if Derek Anderson doesn't get hurt in 97. Absolutely stacked! Jeff Sheppard 98 final 4 MOP barely really played. My goodness

[@StFidjnr]

2:28 for the theme that doubles as an intro to prelude to a championship

[@anthonyrogers6429]

I was there. Great, great, great time! Manhattan had Cats all over the place!

[@TempeSoldier123]

At the game? Wow. What else do you remember about that time? I was a soph in college.

[@zenoftupac9096]

Donovan McNabb was on this Syracuse basketball team. Not sure if it’s mentioned in game & I doubt he played ( end of bench ).

[@251to502]

A lot of times, title game matchups have a backstory to them. In this case, Rick Pitino’s first Final Four (1987 - Providence) came to an end against Syracuse.

[@tommyland1013]

Here to watch the free throws Pope keeps referring to

[@jonathanjones9388]

We got this on VHS! My mom recorded it. Memories!

[@bluegrassreb1]

MAYBE THE GREATEST TEAM EVER! THE NEXT YEAR THEY LOST THE CHAMPIONSHIP IN OT THE NEXT YEAR WON IT AGAIN THIS TEAM WAS BEYOND!!!

[@josepha3805]

💪 Time 4 Hulk-A-Mania! 💪

[@stevenhoneycutt7764]

1996 kentucky team best ever

[@jamedlock83]

would love to see the 96 team vs the 2012 team . . . .

[@brandonmorris92]

@@jamedlock83 Imagine what could've been for the 2014 and 2015 teams.....

[@michelletackett9489]

I want to huge the SU players crying. I'm so sorry for them, but they ran into a better team, and they pushed them to the limit for 90% of the game. Be proud of that.

[@hartsickdisciple]

This Syracuse team really overachieved in 96. John Wallace carried them. The 2003 team was definitely deeper and more talented.

[@R.POliver]

Wish we got a Georgetown vs Kentucky National title game that year. Watching Iverson going up against Pitino’s full court press would have been something to behold. 🍿😳

[@jamedlock83]

UK would have kicked their butts

[@meharinationsportspodcast2582]

If Ron Mercer has some work ethic and commitment to being great, he would have been one of all time greats in Kentucky and great NBA career.

[@Fultonfalcons86]

Yeah his work ethic wasn't all that great no commitment what so ever........

[@GBeret83]

I said something similar about Mercer once, although I didn't know he had a poor work ethic. My comment was if he'd stayed at UK one more season and played with that 98' title team for Tubby that he would be remembered as one of the best wing forwards to ever play at UK.

[@JokerzGallery]

*He is 1 of the all time greats at UK.

[@mightymacdiesal12]

Ron Mercer was lazy. Always relied on his natural talent and didn’t work hard. Was never the last to leave the gym. All flash, no fire.

[@GLHS592]

A good friend of mine played against Mercer in high school. He said Mercer was smoking them all night long and wasn't even sweating. He felt like Mercer was loafing. He could tell later on when Mercer was at UK that Mercer was lazy.

[@nadams497]

Pitino look like Al Pacino when he played in Heat 😂

[@allengreene9954]

Haha yeah😆😆😆😆😆

[@alexanderwells4402]

That was a great comeback to win the 1996 March Madness tournament.

[@alexanderwells4402]

Kentucky 76 Syracuse 67

[@Skinnyd4]

I remember watching that game and the fact that it was *not* a double-digit says more about Syracuse than it does about Kentucky - in a good way. The Orange were a good team that came to play and did all they could do, but sometimes - you just pick a bad year to have a great season.

[@SimonCrowne]

Did you know that in the 90's the NCAA outlawed all 12 to 15 foot jump shots? Here just watch Ky play this game.

[@JoeNorthern1]

Interesting, never seen that CBS Sports ID before.

[@StFidjnr]

and the full intro

[@bmaze35640]

The heavily patterned ties of the 1990s. However, they should have played this at MSG

[@oceanthresher6184]

The last year the final four was held in a proper arena instead of a football stadium.

[@walterlv01]

They need to get back to that

[@TheOlmonroe1]

I just asked that question

[@SimonCrowne]

Walker was always great at turning a simple shot into a WHAT THE PHUCK WAS THAT SHITE kind of shot.

[@Michael-mt1zq]

I always thought it would’ve been even cooler had they actually won it in New York at M.S.G.

[@rwesterkamp]

That move and slam by John Wallace at 1:24:35

[@StFidjnr]

59:27 a bit of controversy before the 2nd 20 mins

[@jimmyjam26]

The game was in New Jersey why are they singing " On Broadway" like the game was at the garden 🤣🤣🤣

[@chadroberts6344]

I dont remember the quality being so low lol. HDTV is the truth 😅

[@scottworley1479]

Kentucky was dominant in the 90s

[@TheOlmonroe1]

Was this the last time a Final Four wasn't played in a domed stadium?

[@josephkluemper3017]

What a team, go cats

[@youtuber3328]

please tell me what years you all feel were the best for carmelo anthony

[@stevenabitante8750]

YEAH BABY KENTUCKY BROUGHT HOME THE CROWN LETS FUCKING GO UK 1996!

[@jclemons121384]

Always wondered why they didn't play in the Garden.

[@highc6866]

Pitino had them ready to handle that zone

[@jclemons121384]

Was this the last final four played in a traditional coliseum?

[@chriscarroll5799]

I believe so

[@Tyler767]

@1:41:10 Donovan McNabb sighting 😂

[@jamesmorton5182]

No doubt when you have TONY from TENN

[@ladybassplayer23]

Go Big Blue. BBN. Coach Pioe

[@TheRoadTripChannel]

That opening was such a scam and a huge slap in the face to the citizens of the State of New Jersey, by CBS and the NCAA. They put a short Broadway interlude and show mid court the Statue of Liberty. The former Continental Airlines, Inc. Arena was PHYSICALLY LOCATED in the Borough of East Rutherford, Bergen County, New Jersey - NOT NEW YORK CITY. Still to this day, New Jersey still has a image problem. The New York Jets and the New York Giants play at MetLife, Inc. Stadium, which is PHYSICALLY LOCATED in the Borough of East Rutherford, Bergen County, New Jersey. The MSL New York Red Bulls play at Red Bull Arena, which is PHYSICALLY LOCATED in the Town of Harrison, Hudson County, New Jersey - NOT NEW YORK. 😡 FACTS: There is only ONE NFL football team that plays in New York. The Buffalo Bills. There is only one MSL soccer team that plays in New York. The New York City Football Club.

[@kenscates345]

I didn't know the girls were something else on Broadway!🤣😂🤣😂🤣

[@beckypatrick7811]

The quality is terrible! I watched this game when it happened and the quality wasn't even 1/2 this bad!

[@monteconrad3372]

Will this work for chicken livers?

[@spurseagles1786]

Kentucky first but just looking at McNabb knowing he never wins the big one kid 😢

[@spurseagles1786]

Go wildcats go eagles to

[@ladybassplayer23]

Go Big Blue. BBN. Coach Pope

[@robertspies789]

If KY could hit there free throws they would of had 3 consecutive Championships

[@jamedlock83]

That didn't cost them. It's because Derek Anderson didn't play

[@loulip3043]

A couple breaks here & there & Syracuse would've won this game.

[@Nobody-n2m]

MARCH POPE!!!!

[@khaledgee]

Syracuse and Kentucky, UConn are always my favorite

[@jamedlock83]

stfu. . . Your comment makes no sense at all. . . . . . Use proper grammar. "UConn will always be my favorite team" is the proper way to say it. . . You are only here because you hate UK. . .. idiot

[@manuginobilisbaldspot424]

"The NCAA is so mad at Kentucky it will probably slap another two years probation on Cleveland State."--Jerry Tarkanian. No way this Kentucky team was put together on the level...

[@prestochange-oh9243]

This team was chock full of upperclassmen. Mercer and turner were the only stand out freshmen and d.a. was an upper classman transfer. Its not like they were all bought frosh like say..the fab five. So..to you i say..sour grapes.

[@rj8836]

Kentucky was LOADED

[@cherylwhite2189]

I am. Go Blue

[@bmaze35640]

King of Burgen County! Lol

[@matthewvincent1966]

Who is here after Kentucky lost to Oakland?

[@paulaball6287]

Here in 2025

[@TempeSoldier123]

This was my soph more in college. I was a HUGE Syracuse fan. I was cheating on my main girl with a girl from Texas.I ended up cheating on my side girl too. THEN I cheated on the OTHER woman with another girl. I'm happily married now.

[@jamedlock83]

ONCE A CHEATER, ALWAYS A CHEATER

[@roberttaylor914]

So, you are basically a lowlife. Congrats

[@TempeSoldier123]

@@roberttaylor914I’m a man that’s honest. Relax on the disrespect.

[@TempeSoldier123]

@@jamedlock83it is what it is. At least I’m honest.

[@SimonCrowne]

As a hugh Wildcat fan I almost forgot how absolutely useless Mark Pope was. Sometimes you will hear it said of a bench player that at least he won't hurt you as a team. Pope was not that guy. He was a walking Phuck Up.

[@roberttaylor914]

One of the dumbest statements ever made. You know nothing

[@jordanpope1672]

kentucky shot under 70% from the line at the final four and missed 6 front ends. pope was 8-8, and 6-6 against umass. if you watch that game and all the free throws uk missed you may notice they possibly lose if he didn’t make all of his. also his two against syracuse were the biggest of the game.

[@beckypatrick7811]

@SimonCrowne ~ As I recall Coach Pitino would use Pope in the game for about ~30 mins. Pope was a tall player and could make buckets well in the front court was good at getting rebounds too! Also, he was a great free throw shooter which proved essential with this game! Pope was a key player who contributed a lot to this team! He was a transfer from the Washington Huskies where he was Pac-10 Freshman of the Year honors in '92. Your comment saying he was useless shows your ignorance!

[@SuperJasondennis]

PATINO WAS A GREAT COACH, SHOULD'VE NEVER LET HIM GO

[@TempeSoldier123]

He left for the NBA.

[@SuperJasondennis]

@TempeSoldier123 no I know but kentucky should've paid him whatever

[@Fultonfalcons86]

Ah yes the Cuse wasn't even worthy of being this game UK all the way............

[@romowasbetterthanaikman3932]

What a truly dumb statement. It was a 2 point game with less than 5 minutes to go.

[@RobinMccatrey]

😂

[@prestochange-oh9243]

I hate billy packer.