What If? UK Clobbered Both NCAA Tournament Finalists By At Least 18 Points
April 4th, 2022 - 9:33
Big Blue fans must have been really blue preceding NCAA Tournament championship game wondering what might have been after Kentucky defeated both Kansas and North Carolina away from home by at least 18 points. No other school ever has beaten NCAA finalists by a total of more than 28 points. The Wildcats joined the following list of 18 "what-if" teams defeating both opponents in NCAA tourney championship game (in reverse order):
| School | Season | Record | Victory Margin Over NCAA Playoff Finalists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | 2021-22 | 26-8 | beat Kansas and North Carolina by total of 47 points |
| Duke | 2018-19 | 32-6 | Virginia and Texas Tech by 13 points |
| Virginia | 2015-16 | 29-8 | North Carolina and Villanova by 16 points |
| Louisville | 2010-11 | 25-10 | Connecticut* and Butler by 28 points |
| Georgetown | 2009-10 | 23-11 | Duke and Butler by 19 points |
| Maryland | 2008-09 | 21-14 | North Carolina and Michigan by 21 points |
| North Carolina | 2003-04 | 19-11 | Connecticut and Georgia Tech by 18 points |
| Stanford | 2000-01 | 31-3 | Duke and Arizona by 10 points |
| Kentucky | 1999-00 | 24-10 | Michigan State and Florida by 17 points |
| Purdue | 1999-00 | 24-10 | Michigan State and Florida by 14 points |
| Massachusetts | 1995-96 | 35-2 | Kentucky and Syracuse by 28 points |
| Duke | 1992-93 | 24-8 | North Carolina and Michigan by 25 points |
| Kansas State | 1987-88 | 25-9 | Kansas* and Oklahoma by 22 points |
| St. John's | 1984-85 | 31-4 | Villanova* and Georgetown by six points |
| Syracuse | 1984-85 | 22-9 | Villanova and Georgetown by 15 points |
| Virginia | 1982-83 | 29-5 | North Carolina State* and Houston by 20 points |
| Wichita | 1962-63 | 19-8 | Loyola of Chicago and Cincinnati by two points |
| Kansas State | 1952-53 | 17-4 | Indiana and Kansas by eight points |
*Louisville also beat UConn by one point in overtime, Kansas State also beat Kansas during regular season by 11 points, St. John's also beat Villanova a second time by two points and Virginia also beat North Carolina State a second time by eight points.