How it ended
Lost it to Auburn, 53–52, on January 8, 1988.
Defended against
LouisvilleMiami (OH)CharlotteVanderbiltGeorgiaMississippi State
The season
- 1987–88: Kentucky finished 24–5–0, 11th of 291 by record; Kansas won the national title; 8 belt games of this reign; the belt changed hands 13 times that season.
Every game of the reign
margins from Kentucky’s side| Belt game | Date | Result | Margin | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,071 | Dec 5, 1987 | Kentucky beat Indiana 82–76 Game → | +6 | Title change |
| 1,072 | Dec 11, 1987 | Kentucky beat Louisville 76–75 | +1 | Defense |
| 1,073 | Dec 17, 1987 | Kentucky beat Miami (OH) 85–71 | +14 | Defense |
| 1,074 | Dec 18, 1987 | Kentucky beat Charlotte 84–81 | +3 | Defense |
| 1,075 | Dec 30, 1987 | Kentucky beat Vanderbilt 81–74 | +7 | Defense |
| 1,076 | Jan 2, 1988 | Kentucky beat Georgia 84–77 | +7 | Defense |
| 1,077 | Jan 5, 1988 | Kentucky beat Mississippi State 93–58 | +35 | Defense |
| 1,078 | Jan 8, 1988 | Auburn beat Kentucky 53–52 | −1 | Title change |