1997 National Championship Recap

They were two separate beasts, one the reigning king of college basketball, the other poised to stake its claim. The Wildcats of Kentucky, seeking to repeat as national champions, were being challenged by the western species of Wildcat, the University of Arizona. What eventually evolved was one of the most scintillating and sizzling championship games of the 1990s, as Arizona became the first team in NCAA championship history to defeat three No. 1 seeds (Kansas, North Carolina and Kentucky) on its way to the title.

Led by junior Miles Simon, Arizona took on a Kentucky program that, despite its No. 1 seeding, played above expectations all season after losing star Derek Anderson to a knee injury in mid-season. Arizona, on the other hand, was the championship's hottest team.

With Arizona's quickness and fast break tempo facing Kentucky's full-court press, the pulse of the game started at a rapid pace and did not let up until Arizona pulled the upset and won its first national championship, 84-79, in overtime. Simon, the Final Four most outstanding player, led all scorers with 30 points and hit every big shot for the Wildcats.

BOX SCORE

                FG-     FT-
Arizona         FGA     FTA     REB     PF      TP
Davison         3-9     3-3     7       2       9
Dickerson       1-8     2-2     4       0       5
Bramlett        1-3     1-1     6       5       3
Bibby           5-12    6-6     9       1       19
Simon           8-18    14-17   3       1       30
Terry           2-6     2-2     2       1       8
Edgerson        0-0     2-2     5       2       2
Harris          2-2     4-8     7       4       8       
Team                            2
Totals          22-58   34-41   45      16      84

                FG-     FT-
Kentucky        FGA     FTA     REB     PF      TP
Mercer          5-9     1-1     9       5       13
Padgett         5-16    4-4     1       5       17
Magloire        0-1     0-0     4       4       0
Turner          4-9     0-1     4       5       8
Epps            4-13    0-0     5       0       11
Edwards         0-0     0-0     0       0       0
Prickett        1-4     4-5     5       5       6
Mohammed        6-11    0-6     11      3       12
Mills           5-9     0-0     1       2       12
Masiello        0-0     0-0     0       0       0
Team                            0
Totals          30-72   9-17    40      29      79

Site: Indianapolis, Ind. 
Semifinals: Arizona 66, North Carolina 58; Kentucky 78, Minnesota 69. 
Tournament Attendance: 634,584 for 34 sessions. 
Halftime: Arizona 33-32. 
Three-point field goals: Arizona 6-13 (Dickerson 1-3, Bibby 
  3-5, Simon 0-2, Terry 2-3); Kentucky 10-30 (Mercer 2-4, 
  Padgett 3-12, Epps 3-8, Mills 2-6). 
Officials: Higgins, Valentine and O'Neill. 
Championship Coach: Lute Olson, Arizona. 
Most Outstanding Player: Miles Simon, Arizona.