A look back: How UK teams have fared after winning the NCAA title

Kentucky has already been tabbed as one of four top seeds in next year’s NCAA Tournament. Of course it’s really too early to tell if the Wildcats will repeat, considering what will likely be a mass exodus of five underclassmen who will declare for the NBA Draft possibly as early as this week. Here’s a look back at how the Wildcats fared the following season after winning the national championship the previous year:

1999: The Wildcats finished 28-9 and lost to Michigan State in the Midwest Region finals in St. Louis.
1997: Kentucky ended the Rick Pitino era as national runner-up after losing to Arizona 84-79 in overtime. The Wildcats finished with a remarkable 35-5 record, including a 13-3 record in the Southeastern Conference.
1979: Kentucky struggled to a 19-12 record and went 10-8 in the SEC. Kentucky lost to Clemson 68-67 in the opening round of the NIT.
1959: Kentucky recorded a 24-3 record, but lost to Louisville 76-61 in the NCAA Tournament in Evanston, Illinois. Kentucky beat Marquette in a consolation game.
1952: The Wildcats went 29-3 and posted a perfect 14-0 record in the SEC. Kentucky lost to St. John’s in the second round of the NCAA Tournament and defeated Penn State in a consolation game.
1950: UK finished with a 25-5 record in the team’s last season at Alumni Gym. Kentucky won the Sugar Bowl and lost to College of New York in the opening round of the NIT.
1949: Kentucky scored a repeat as national champion with a 32-2 record and a perfect 13-0 mark against conference foes. The Wildcats defeated Oklahoma State to win the second of eight national championships.