How it ended
Lost it to NC State, 54–51, on February 1, 1986.
Defended against
Mississippi StateFloridaGeorgiaTennesseeLSUAuburn
The season
- 1985–86: Duke had the best record (32–2–0); Louisville won the national title; 8 belt games of this reign; the belt changed hands 11 times that season.
Every game of the reign
margins from Kentucky’s side| Belt game | Date | Result | Margin | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,007 | Jan 10, 1986 | Kentucky beat Alabama 76–52 Game → | +24 | Title change |
| 1,008 | Jan 14, 1986 | Kentucky beat Mississippi State 64–52 | +12 | Defense |
| 1,009 | Jan 17, 1986 | Kentucky beat Florida 72–55 | +17 | Defense |
| 1,010 | Jan 22, 1986 | Kentucky beat Georgia 74–69 | +5 | Defense |
| 1,011 | Jan 24, 1986 | Kentucky beat Tennessee 74–57 | +17 | Defense |
| 1,012 | Jan 28, 1986 | Kentucky beat LSU 54–52 | +2 | Defense |
| 1,013 | Jan 30, 1986 | Kentucky beat Auburn 81–71 | +10 | Defense |
| 1,014 | Feb 1, 1986 | NC State beat Kentucky 54–51 | −3 | Title change |