March 24th: On this date.....

..... in 1984, your #3 University of Kentucky Wildcats defeated #6 Illinois, 54-51, to advance to the NCAA Final Four game to face Georgetown. It helped that the game took place in Rupp Arena, but after falling short each year since 1978, the Big Blue faithful was taking anything it could. The twin towers dominated the inside for Kentucky, with Sam Bowie netting 11 points and 14 rebounds, and Melvin Turpin ending with 13 points and 6 rebounds. Senior and Covington-native, Dicky Beal controlled the outside with nine points and six assists and freshman Winston Bennett had eight huge points off the bench to help the Cats earn the Seattle Final Four berth. The win moved UK to 29-4 on the season, and helped Joe B. Hall put his stamp on an SEC regular season title, an SEC Tournament Championship, and a Final Four berth. We all know the rest of the story as the Boys in Blue had a not-too-memorable second half against the Hoyas. It was Joe B. Hall's third Final Four appearance.

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach