Photos: Arizona vs. Kentucky in the 1997 NCAA Championship Game
The Arizona Wildcats won the 1997 NCAA basketball championship by defeating the top-seeded Kentucky Wildcats in the Final Four championship game in Indianapolis. Final score: 84-79 OT.
Kentucky vs. Arizona
Arizona's A.J. Bramlett and Bennett Davison hug after winning in overtime against Kentucky at the 1997 NCAA College Basketball Championship game in Indianapolis, IN.
Kentucky vs. Arizona
Arizona's Ooh Ahh Man, Joe Cavaler, leads a chant at the team hotel before the 1997 NCAA College Basketball Championship game in Indianapolis, IN.
Kentucky vs. Arizona
A University of Arizona cheerleader during a pep rally at the team hotel before the 1997 NCAA College Basketball Championship game in Indianapolis, IN.
Kentucky vs. Arizona
Matt Meliker gives the we are number one sign as UA fans fill the RCA Dome during the 1997 NCAA College Basketball Championship game in Indianapolis, IN.
Kentucky vs. Arizona
UA players gather outside their locker room before the 1997 NCAA College Basketball Championship game in Indianapolis, IN.
Kentucky vs. Arizona
Arizona's Miles Simon looks to pass under the pressure of Kentucky's Scott Padgett and Cameron Mills during the 1997 NCAA College Basketball Championship game in Indianapolis, IN.
Kentucky vs. Arizona
UA guard Mike Bibby is bringing the ball up the court with Kentucky player Ron Mercer during the 1997 NCAA College Basketball Championship game in Indianapolis, IN.
Kentucky vs. Arizona
Mike Bibby gets instructions from coach Lute Olson during the 1997 NCAA College Basketball Championship game in Indianapolis, IN.
Kentucky vs. Arizona
Kentucky coach Rick Pitino with Jared Prickettduring the 1997 NCAA College Basketball Championship game in Indianapolis, IN.
Kentucky vs. Arizona
Donnell Harris (left) holds onto Miles Simon as the clock winds down in overtime to give the Arizona their first NCAA Division I basketball title in the championship game against Kentucky in Indianapolis.
Kentucky vs. Arizona
Kentucky coach Rick Pitino hugs Nazr Mohammed during the 1997 NCAA College Basketball Championship game in Indianapolis, IN.
Kentucky vs. Arizona
UA Coach Lute Olson coaches players against Kentucky. during the 1997 NCAA College Basketball Championship game in Indianapolis, IN.
Kentucky vs. Arizona
Arizona's Josh Pastner runs out on the court to greet the team after a timeout was called during the 1997 NCAA College Basketball Championship game in Indianapolis, IN.
Kentucky vs. Arizona
rizona's Donnell Harris drives through Kentucky's Nazr Mohammed, left, and Jared Prickett during the 1997 NCAA College Basketball Championship game in Indianapolis, IN.
Kentucky vs. Arizona
Nazr Mohammed battles Arizona's Eugene Edgerson for a rebound during the 1997 NCAA College Basketball Championship game in Indianapolis, IN.
Kentucky vs. Arizona
Arizona's Donnell Harris tries to plow through Kentucky's Ron Mercer (left) and Anthony Epps (right) the 1997 NCAA College Basketball Championship game in Indianapolis, IN.
Kentucky vs. Arizona
Michael Dickerson brings the ball upcourt against Anthony Epps during the 1997 NCAA College Basketball Championship game in Indianapolis, IN.
Kentucky vs. Arizona
Arizona's Mike Bibby dishes off during the 1997 NCAA College Basketball Championship game in Indianapolis, IN.
Kentucky vs. Arizona
he Arizona bench explodes with joy as the end nears during the 1997 NCAA College Basketball Championship game in Indianapolis, IN.
Kentucky vs. Arizona
Arizona fans display their colors during the championship game against Kentucky during the 1997 NCAA College Basketball Championship game in Indianapolis, IN.
Kentucky vs. Arizona
Arizona players leap from the bench during the end of the second half against Kentucky during the 1997 NCAA College Basketball Championship game in Indianapolis, IN. Players from left to right are: Quynn Tebbs, John Ash, Josh Pastner, Jason Lee, Coach Lute Olson, Michael Edgerson, A.J. Bramlett, and Miles Simon. Assistant coach Jessie Evans is at far right.
Kentucky vs. Arizona
Mike Bibby cuts down the net after the Wildcats defeated Kentucky at the 1997 NCAA College Basketball Championship game in Indianapolis, IN.
Kentucky vs. Arizona
Arizona's Miles Simon and Mike Bibby get a ride following their victory over Kentucky at the 1997 NCAA College Basketball Championship game in Indianapolis, IN.
Kentucky vs. Arizona
Steve Kerr, the Arizona guard that led 1988 Final Four team and current coach of the Golden State Warriors, hugs Arizona head coach Lute Olson after Arizona won the 1997 NCAA College Basketball Championship game in Indianapolis, IN.
Kentucky vs. Arizona
Steve Kerr, the Arizona guard that led 1988 Final Four team and current coach of the Golden State Warriors, hugs Arizona head coach Lute Olson after Arizona won the 1997 NCAA College Basketball Championship game in Indianapolis, IN.
Kentucky vs. Arizona
Arizona head coach talks to the crowd as player Bennett Davison waves a towel after winning the 1997 NCAA College Basketball Championship game in Indianapolis, IN.
Kentucky vs. Arizona
Arizona players A.J. Bramlett and Miles Simon embrace after winning the 1997 NCAA College Basketball Championship game in Indianapolis, IN.
Kentucky vs. Arizona
Arizona head coach Lute Olson waves to the crowd after the team won the 1997 NCAA College Basketball Championship game in Indianapolis, IN.
Kentucky vs. Arizona
Arizona head coach Lute Olson during an appearance on the Today Show after the 1997 NCAA College Basketball Championship game in Indianapolis, IN.
Arizona Wildcats win NCAA championship
Lute Olson and wife, Bobbi, wave to fans while leaving the court after the Wildcats won the national championship in Indianapolis on March 31, 1997.
Rick Wiley
Photo editor
What was it about the 1997 Arizona team that left them the last men left standing? How is it possible that no other Pac-12 team has won it all since the Wildcats did 25 years ago?
“It gets in your blood and you can’t stop it."
Stewart understands a thing or two about chemistry.
Editor’s note: The following story first appeared in the April 1, 1997 edition of the Arizona Daily Star.
Twenty-five years after they teamed up to win a national title, several of the branches on that vaunted coaching tree talked about what it was like to learn under Lute, and what that title run taught them.
Here are some of the lasting memories that define that year, from the players and coaches who lived through them:
Greg Hansen: 25 years later, Wildcats' Indy-structible run to national title remains awe-inspiringFor Star subscribers: It was a fairy tale come true. Arizona would no longer be a remote place on the basketball map.
The game never really ends now. It is in your heart forever, unceasing, a moment in time never to be forgotten.
Editor’s note: The following story first appeared in the April 1, 1997 edition of the Arizona Daily Star.
Editor’s note: The following story first appeared in the April 1, 1997 edition of the Arizona Daily Star.
Editor’s note: The following story first appeared in the April 1, 1997 edition of the Arizona Daily Star.
Editor’s note: The following story first appeared in the April 1, 1997 edition of the Arizona Daily Star:
Editor’s note: The following story first appeared in the April 1, 1997 edition of the Arizona Daily Star.
Editor’s note: The following story first appeared in the April 1, 1997 edition of the Arizona Daily Star.
Editor’s note: The following story first appeared in the April 1, 1997 edition of the Arizona Daily Star.
Editor’s note: The following story first appeared in the April 1, 1997 edition of the Arizona Daily Star.