[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 39 (Tuesday, March 31, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S2877]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    TRIBUTE TO THE KENTUCKY WILDCATS: 1998 NCAA NATIONAL BASKETBALL 
                               CHAMPIONS

 Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, 50 years ago this month, the 
University of Kentucky accomplished a feat still unmatched in college 
basketball history. As every backyard all-star in the Commonwealth can 
tell you, that was the year of the original Fabulous Five.
  You see in Kentucky, we have a habit of naming our most special 
Wildcat teams, and 1948 may have been the most special of the bunch. 
That group, led by Alex Groza, Ralph Beard and Wah Wah Jones not only 
earned Kentucky's first NCAA men's college basketball championship 
trophy but went on to bring home a gold medal from the 1948 Olympics.
  Flash forward Fifty years into the future, to see another edition of 
the Wildcats, and equally high expectations. Led by seniors Jeff 
Sheppard, Allen Edwards, and Cameron Mills, the 1998 Cats came into the 
season facing an uncertain future. While expectations are always high 
at Kentucky, this year's squad exceeded even the most optimistic fan's 
hopes.
  Under the expert leadership of first-year head coach, Tubby Smith, 
these Wildcats will be raising the school's 7th NCAA championship 
banner to the rafters of Rupp Arena. But Mr. President, there is so 
much more to this story than wins and losses.
  While the '48 team was appropriately known as the Fab Five, this 
year's national champions will go down in Wildcat history as maybe the 
most perfect embodiment of the word ``team'' in Kentucky's legacy of 
excellence. Time after time when the odds seemed insurmountable this 
team willed itself to victory.
  A quick review of the final three games of this year's tournament 
reveals the heart of a lion. Down 17 points with less than 10 minutes 
to play against a Duke squad that had been ranked #1 for most of the 
year, the Comeback Cats put together a frenzied charge, outscoring the 
Blue Devils 17 - 1 during a crucial stretch. What made the feat all the 
more impressive was that every player contributed.
  In the Final Four, the Cats squared off against the Stanford 
Cardinal, the West Coast power that spent the majority of the season 
undefeated. Down by 5 at half, the Cats did what was natural for them, 
they put together a rally, eventually winning the contest in overtime. 
This victory was fueled by one of the most gritty performances in Final 
Four history, as senior Jeff Sheppard poured in 27 of the Cats 74 
points.
  What could top this effort in the finals? How about the greatest 
come-from-behind victory in the history of the NCAA championship. Down 
10 at the half, and 12 early in the second half, this selfless group of 
young men redoubled their efforts and chipped away at the Utah lead. 
Steadily the tide began to shift behind three point baskets from 
Heshimu Evans, and Kentucky natives Cameron Mills and Scott Padgett. 
Refusing to wilt under the pressure of facing the hottest team in the 
nation, Kentucky hammered away defensively and converted on the 
offensive end. In the end, Utah's game effort was not enough and the 
Cats posted a 78 - 69 victory in seizing their second national title in 
three years.
  In what has become habit for the Comeback Cats, the team drew on its 
strengths and refused to panic. Under the masterful eye of Coach Smith 
and the intelligent play of a host of stars, the team accomplished its 
dream of bringing home the title.
  So, Mr. President, while we look back fondly on the Fabulous Five of 
1948, I am content to take senior Jeff Sheppard's advice to 
``appreciate the precious present,'' and embrace these Comeback Cats as 
the greatest ``team'' to ever put on the Kentucky uniform. It is 
impossible to appreciate the intensity and effort these young men put 
forth as they met and exceeded every challenge in their path during the 
1997-98 season.
  Mr. President, I ask each of my colleagues to join me in honoring the 
University of Kentucky, history-making coach Tubby Smith, athletic 
director C. M. Newton, and most importantly each and every talented 
player on the 1998 Championship Wildcat team.

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