If there’s one thing I hate, it’s when I try to search “UK” on the internet and Google thinks I’m talking about the United Kingdom. Obviously I’m looking for news on my favorite wildcats, not for the top headlines in Britain (didn’t we break away from them already?)
But for anyone that remembers, [I]our[/I] UK has traveled to [I]the[/I] UK before, for none other than the 1948 Olympic Games. For the Big Blue Nation, the year 1948 should ring a bell. It was also the year Kentucky brought home their first NCAA National Championship title, beginning their reign as a dominant force in collegiate basketball.
Of course, 1948 is also synonymous with the legendary Fabulous Five. This famous quintet of UK basketball players—Kenny Rollins, Cliff Barker, Wallace ‘Wah Wah’ Jones, Alex Groza and Ralph Beard—traveled to London, England to help the United States win the gold medal over France.
The final score? United States 65, France 21.
I think we can all agree that 1948 was a good year for Kentucky basketball.
Now in 2012, London is hosting the summer Olympics once again, and the Wildcats will once again be included in the festivities. In fact, 2011 Kentucky graduate Taylor Amerman has been given the honor of carrying the Olympic torch in Britain before the games officially start on July 27th.
As for basketball, UK will again be sending a player to the UK to compete. Fan favorite and projected number one draft pick Anthony Davis will represent the Big Blue Nation on the US Olympic men’s basketball team.
In ’48, Kentucky winning the National Championship was a precursor to a US Olympic basketball victory. Maybe in 2012, the same will be true again.
