One is Loneliest Number: Top-Ranked Zona Refuses to Lose at Michigan
December 14th, 2013 - 13:28
Arizona erased a double-digit deficit to prevail at Michigan in the Wildcats' first real test as the nation's #1 squad. If Zona had bowed to the Wolverines, this season would have marked the second time three different top-ranked teams succumbed prior to Christmas. Following is a naughty list citing the only campaign (2003-04) when three different top dogs (including Florida twice) got coal in their stockings:
| Date | Losing #1 Team | Score | Squad Defeating #1 (Coach) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11-26-03 | Connecticut | 77-61 at New York | Georgia Tech (Paul Hewitt) |
| 12-6-03 | Kansas | 64-58 at Anaheim | Stanford (Mike Montgomery) |
| 12-10-03 | Florida | 69-68 in OT | Maryland (Gary Williams) |
| 12-13-03 | Florida | 73-65 | Louisville (Rick Pitino) |
Meanwhile, Kentucky became the third preseason #1 team since 1961-62 to lose three games prior to Christmas. Will UK, exhibiting as much political savvy as Hollyweird's Ashley Judd, finish the season with eight setbacks? The Wildcats joined UCLA (eight defeats in 1965-66) and Arizona (eight defeats in 2000-01) on the following list:
| Season | Preseason #1 | Final Record | Coach | Three Pre-Christmas Defeats |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1965-66 | UCLA | 18-8 | John Wooden | at Duke (82-66), Duke at Charlotte (94-75) and Cincinnati (82-76) |
| 2000-01 | Arizona | 28-8 | Lute Olson | Purdue at Indianapolis (72-69), at Connecticut (71-69) and Illinois at Chicago (81-73) |
| 2013-14 | Kentucky | TBD | John Calipari | Michigan State at Chicago (78-74), Baylor at Arlington, TX (67-62) and at North Carolina (82-77) |
NOTE: Arizona also lost to Mississippi State (75-74) the week between Christmas and New Year's Day.