LSU on Mardi Gras: Kentucky made history with a 31-point comeback in this spot in 1994

A Mardi Gras game against LSU? That sounds familiar. Kentucky has been in this spot twice before, winning both Fat Tuesday games against the Tigers in the 92-year history of the Kentucky-LSU series.

In the most recent Mardi Gras game versus LSU, Tubby Smith’s Wildcats won 70-63 in Rupp Arena in 2007, led by Randolph Morris (20 points), Jodie Meeks (18 points), and Ramel Bradley (16 points). LSU actually held a double-digit lead in the first half in Lexington, but the home team clawed back to win in comeback fashion. After that game, Bradley admitted to wishing for a miracle when UK missed three of its first 17 shots against the Tigers.

However, the real miracle comeback against LSU came in 1994.

The Mardi Gras Miracle

It’s considered one of the best comebacks in all of sports. In 1994, Kentucky trailed LSU by 31 points in the second half in Baton Rouge, only to erase the 68-37 deficit to win 99-95. Rick Pitino’s Wildcats relied on 3-point shooting and LSU’s lackadaisical effort to mount the second-half comeback after Kentucky’s worst first half of the season.

Tony Delk’s 3-pointer with under two minutes to go pulled Kentucky to within two points. Then, LSU turned the ball over three times in a row, setting up Walter McCarty’s go-ahead 3-pointer with 19 seconds left in the game. LSU wouldn’t score again, and Tony Delk and Travis Ford put the historic win on ice with free throws in the final seconds.

“The Mardis Gras Miracle” celebrated its 30th anniversary last year. It is still known as the largest second-half comeback in college basketball history.

Watch a YouTube collection of highlights before Kentucky and LSU tip off in Mardis Gras Round 3 in 2025.