The College Basketball Belt · reign 409
Kentucky
Took the belt from UCLA, 94–68, on March 19, 1998. Lost it to Pittsburgh, 68–56, on November 27, 1998.
7Defenses
253Days
16thReign for the program
+1Closest call · Mar 27, 1998
16.0Average winning margin
39thLongest of 744 reigns, by days
52ndMost defenses of 744 reigns
How it ended
Lost it to Pittsburgh, 68–56, on November 27, 1998.
Defended against
DukeStanfordUtahEastern KentuckyMercerWright StateColorado
The seasons
- 1997–98: Princeton had the best record (25–1–0); they won the national title while holding the belt; 4 belt games of this reign; the belt changed hands 12 times that season.
- 1998–99: Duke had the best record (32–1–0); UConn won the national title; 5 belt games of this reign; the belt changed hands 5 times that season.
Every game of the reign
margins from Kentucky’s side| Belt game | Date | Result | Margin | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,463 | Mar 19, 1998 | Kentucky beat UCLA 94–68 Postseason Game → | +26 | Title change |
| 1,464 | Mar 21, 1998 | Kentucky beat Duke 86–84 Postseason | +2 | Defense |
| 1,465 | Mar 27, 1998 | Kentucky beat Stanford 86–85 Postseason | +1 | Defense |
| 1,466 | Mar 29, 1998 | Kentucky beat Utah 78–69 Postseason | +9 | Defense |
| 1,467 | Nov 16, 1998 | Kentucky beat Eastern Kentucky 99–64 | +35 | Defense |
| 1,468 | Nov 18, 1998 | Kentucky beat Mercer 82–51 | +31 | Defense |
| 1,469 | Nov 23, 1998 | Kentucky beat Wright State 97–75 | +22 | Defense |
| 1,470 | Nov 26, 1998 | Kentucky beat Colorado 64–52 | +12 | Defense |
| 1,471 | Nov 27, 1998 | Pittsburgh beat Kentucky 68–56 | −12 | Title change |