Fansided

The 5 most disappointing NCAA Tournament performances since 2000

By Ryan Phillips

Feb 24, 2014; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self reacts from the sidelines during the first half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 24, 2014; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self reacts from the sidelines during the first half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 18, 2014; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders head coach Tubby Smith yells during the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Daniel-Meyer Coliseum. Texas Tech beat TCU 60-49. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 18, 2014; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders head coach Tubby Smith yells during the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Daniel-Meyer Coliseum. Texas Tech beat TCU 60-49. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

2004 Kentucky Wildcats

In 2003-04, Tubby Smith’s Kentucky Wildcats put together an outstanding season. Ranked No. 11 in the preseason AP poll, they quickly climbed the ladder thanks to impressive wins over UCLA, Michigan State and Indiana. The Wildcats went 13-3 in the SEC and then went on to take the SEC tournament title. That got them ranked No. 2 heading into the NCAA Tournament.

The 2004 version of the Wildcats was the epitome of a team. There were some leaders, but all of the top players contributed to make the squad what it was.

Gerald Fitch (16.2 points per game), Erik Daniels (14.5 ppg), Kelenna Azubuike (11.1 ppg), Chuck Hayes (10.7 ppg) and Cliff Hawkins (10.3 ppg) gave Kentucky five players averaging double figures per game. Though Daniels, Fitch, Azubuike and Hayes would all go on to play in the NBA, there were no real stars on the team. That was what made the Wildcats dangerous.

They entered the 2004 NCAA tournament on a nine-game winning streak and secured the No. 1 seed in the St. Louis Regional. Right out of the gate something was off with Smith’s team, as the Wildcats allowed 52 points in the first half of their opener against 16th-seeded Florida A&M. Eventually Kentucky got things under control and won 96-76, but it was more than a minor scare.

With their 10th consecutive win under their belts, the Wildcats refocused themselves and took on UAB in the second round. The Blazers were the No. 9 seed in the region and were coming off of a 102-100 win over Washington. Right from the start, it was clear UAB had Kentucky on the ropes.

The Blazers jumped to a 42-33 halftime lead thanks to head coach Mike Anderson’s suffocating full-court defense. Kentucky rallied though, turning a 10-point deficit into a 75-74 lead with 29.3 seconds left when Azubuike dunked home a missed shot. But UAB called a timeout, drew up a play and with 12.2 seconds left, Mo Finley hit a 17-foot jumper to take the lead back 76-75. Kentucky called a timeout of its own, but Fitch missed a 3-pointer with 2.2 seconds left, and Hayes tipped the rebound up and off the rim as time expired.

The loss was a huge letdown for Big Blue Nation after such a fantastic season.

Next: 2013 Indiana Hoosiers

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