A Sweet Anniversary: De'Aaron Fox Silences Lonzo Ball and UCLA

by:Nick Roush•03/24/24•

RoushKSR

Kentucky G De'Aaron Fox vs. UCLA's Lonzo Ball, via Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

Stuck in the doldrums of an offseason that’s arrived far too early, it’s easy to find yourself yearning for the Glory Days. You don’t have to be a Bruce Springsteen fan to celebrate the seventh anniversary of this historic Kentucky NCAA Tournament win.

On this date in 2017, De’Aaron Fox put on a show in Memphis. The world was consumed with carnival-barker LaVar Ball and his sensational sons. Lonzo Ball was a First Team All-American who broke UCLA’s single-season assist record. The Bruins already had one win over the Wildcats at Rupp Arena. The Sweet 16 rematch between two of the nation’s top point guards told a different story.

Ball was limited to 10 points and four turnovers, while Fox was unguardable. The Kentucky point guard shot 13 of 20 from the field to score 39 points in an 86-75 victory. Dan Issel, Jack Givens, and Tayshaun Prince are the only Wildcats who have ever scored more points in an NCAA Tournament game.

De’Aaron Fox made history seven years ago. The problem is there hasn’t been much good Kentucky basketball history since Fox outshined Lonzo Ball.

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In 2019, Tyler Herro sunk a late three to propel Kentucky past Houston in the Sweet 16. That was the Wildcats’ last trip to the Sweet 16, five years ago. The Big Blue Nation is now in the middle of two extended droughts. The Wildcats have gone nine years without a Final Four appearance, tied for the second-longest in school history. It’s also the second four-year Sweet 16 drought in school history. Billy Gillispie oversaw two of those years between 2006-09.

March Madness has created unforgettable memories for Kentucky basketball fans. The memories created in recent years are all filled with heartbreak.

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