Untitled Document

BIG BLUE FANS FOR

BASKETBALL

YEAR BY YEAR WITH THE CATS

1965-66
Rupp's Runts
27-2
National Finalists

Tev Laudeman (author of The Rupp Years) said, "Every coach knows what it takes to make a great basketball team. You need shooting first, and after that in no particular order, rebounding, defense, passing, and teamwork." I had to throw that quote in for my good friend and UK stalwart John R. Barry. Prior to the season, two very talented players, Tom Kron and Larry Conley had talked it over and decided they could help the team most by sacrificing some personal glory and contribute to the team with passing and playmaking. Pat Riley and Louie Dampier were the stars. Thad Jaracz was the fifth starter.

Before the season, Rupp said, "I honestly believe that man for man we just might have in the making a better team than we had in 1958. when we won the national title." Some preseason polls had left them out of the top 20. Re Kron, Rupp was to later say, "Never have I seen a boy play the point on defense the way he could. He was fast, agressive, and never quit." On the practice floor however, Rupp would tell him things like, "Tommy, some day I'm going to write a book on how not to play defense and a whole chapter will be dedicated to you."

Pat Riley and Louie Dampier went on to long NBA careers and Riley became one of the most successful NBA coaches of all time.

Contributed by Larry Butler

Louie Dampier
Member of Rupp's Runts, 1966
As a member of ABA Kentucky Colonels
(Submitted by Ron Goodbub)

Pat Riley
Member of Rupp's Runts
Long NBA Career as Player and Championship Coach
Member Naismith Hall of Fame

Listen to Coach Rupp's Post Game Comments Here

Pat Riley Profile

Riled Up: No matter the time or place, Pat Riley knew how to win.

Go Back