The Most Random Road Games in Kentucky Basketball History

Kentucky makes its first-ever trip to Austin as a road team tomorrow to take on the Longhorns. And while this game will become a regular staple on the Cats’ schedule moving forward, it will be odd seeing the Cats as a road team in that environment. We’re also in an environment now where Kentucky doesn’t play too many true road games outside of conference play and the ACC/SEC Challenge.

But in honor of seeing the Cats in a new situation, I found some of the most random road games Kentucky has played in its history. I have three criteria for consideration:

1. The game had to be at the opponent’s actual arena, not a larger venue in the same city. For example, we played South Florida in 2016 in Miami but not at USF’s gym.
2. Kentucky can only have played once at that arena.
3. This game had to occur after Kentucky became a power in the late 1940s. None of these games against the Tennessee YMCA count.

ROBERT MORRIS (2012-13)

Result: Robert Morris 59, Kentucky 57
This game was forced on the Cats after they did not have access to their home floor for the first round of the NIT. Instead, they likely played in the smallest gym the Cats have played in for 50 years. And that miserable season finally came to an end.

HOUSTON (2007-08)

Result: Houston 83, Kentucky 68
Technically, Tubby Smith scheduled the game but it was Billy Gillipsie’s first team. And they were absolutely dominated on the road in the game, their fourth straight loss. That Houston team would end up in the CBI Tournament, so not exactly world-beaters. Why Kentucky scheduled this home and home is baffling.

MIAMI FL (1999-2000)

Result: Kentucky 60, Miami 57
Tubby Smith scheduled several of these odd home-and-home series and the Hurricanes fall onto that list. UK did get the win with a late Tayshaun Prince jumper. Kentucky has played five games against Miami, with the other four all being at Rupp Arena.

CANISIUS (1997-98)

Result: Kentucky 81, Canisius 54
I tried to find information as to why Kentucky chose to schedule this game but they did in fact play the Golden Griffins on their home court and easily cruised to a victory. Jeff Sheppard scored 21 points. The most random note from this game is a local referee from Buffalo had to be called into duty for the game after a scheduled ref couldn’t make it due to weather.

HAWAII (1985-86)

Result: Kentucky 98, Hawaii 65
No, this wasn’t part of the Maui Invitational or even a lead-in to that event. The Cats simply decide to play two games on the road on the islands that year, hammering Chaminade and Hawaii and then going home. Kenny Walker had 33 points in the rout.

UNLV (1979-80)

Result: Kentucky 74, UNLV 69
This game was played with just two regular season games remaining and with no other games out west attached to it. It might be one of the most randomly scheduled games in UK history. Nonetheless, the Cats pulled out a 5-point victory over Tark the Shark’s team. Sam Bowie had 23.

IOWA (1972-73)

Result: Kentucky 88, Iowa 80
Another random home-and-home series. The Hawkeyes actually beat the Cats the previous year but Kentucky got revenge on the road in this one. Kevin Grevey scored 29 points. The two teams have played 3 times since that year, all on neutral floors.

PENN (1968-69)

Result: Kentucky 102, Penn 78
The Cats traveled to the Palestra on the back end of a 2-game series and walloped the Quakers in Philadelphia. The Cats had 5 players in double figures, led by Dan Issel’s 26 points. UK led by 21 at the break and was never really threatened.

SOUTHERN CAL (1959-60)

Result: USC 87, Kentucky 73
Kentucky actually played back-to-back road games in Los Angeles, beating the Bruins the night before by 2 before getting worked by the Trojans. I wonder when the last time Kentucky scheduled true road games on back-to-back nights like this. Rupp was a savage.