Madison Square Garden, often called “The Mecca of Basketball,” has seen some of the greatest moments in the sport’s history, and Kentucky basketball is no stranger to its iconic hardwood. From NIT glory in 1976 to Champions Classic showdowns in the 21st century, the Wildcats have built an impressive, but not always perfect, record at MSG. T

According to BigBlueHistory.net, Kentucky holds a 14-6 all-time record at Madison Square Garden, including several unforgettable moments.

The NIT Run of 1976: A Championship Crowned in MSG

The Wildcats first made waves in MSG in 1976, sweeping through the NIT field to claim the championship. Kentucky beat Niagara, Kansas State, and Providence in close games before defeating UNC-Charlotte 71-67 in front of 12,415 fans to claim the title. Jack Givens led the charge, dropping 13 field goals against Providence—a record that still stands today.

Holiday Festival Dominance

Kentucky thrived in the ECAC Holiday Festival tournaments in the early 1990s. In 1992, they defeated Rutgers and St. John’s, with the latter drawing 14,856 fans. They returned in 1995 to crush Rider and Iona, with Tony Delk scoring 29 points in the championship game against Iona. That night, Kentucky set MSG records for field goals made (40) and assists (27) by a Kentucky team.

Modern Classics and Record-Breaking Performances

The Wildcats’ modern MSG tenure has featured standout games in the Champions Classic and other marquee matchups. Kentucky defeated Kansas 75-65 in 2011, where Anthony Davis swatted away a record seven shots. In 2021, Oscar Tshiebwe dominated Michigan State with a 20-rebound performance, and Sahvir Wheeler dished out 10 assists.

Not all memories are sweet—Kentucky has suffered tough losses, including a heartbreaker to Seton Hall in 2018 and a 10-point loss to UCLA in 2022. The 2000 Coaches vs. Cancer Classic also saw back-to-back losses to St. John’s and UCLA, the latter in overtime despite scoring 92 points.

What’s Next?

Kentucky returns to MSG on December 21, 2024, to face Ohio State in the CBS Sports Classic. Head coach Mark Pope, who grew up idolizing MSG, will look to add another victory to Kentucky’s storied legacy in “The World’s Most Famous Arena.”

The Wildcats’ history at MSG is a testament to the program’s willingness to embrace basketball’s biggest stages. Kentucky is poised to continue shining under the bright lights of New York City Saturday.

MSG Record Highs for the Cats:

stats provided by bigbluehistory.net

Points (Player)
Kentucky: 29 – Tony Delk (12/29/1995) and P.J. Washington (12/8/2018)
Opponent: 28 – Myles Powell (12/8/2018)

Points (Game)
Kentucky: 106 – vs. Iona (12/29/1995)
Opponent: 97 – UCLA (11/10/2000)

Rebounds (Player)
Kentucky: 20 – Oscar Tshiebwe (11/9/2021)
Opponent: 14 – Larry Dassle (3/16/1976) and Dan Gadzuric (11/10/2000)

Rebounds (Game)
Kentucky: 52 – vs. Rider (12/27/1995)
Opponent: 48 – St. John’s (12/30/1992)

Assists (Player)
Kentucky: 10 – Sahvir Wheeler (11/9/2021)
Opponent: 9 – Earl Watson (11/10/2000)

Assists (Game)
Kentucky: 27 – vs. Iona (12/29/1995)
Opponent: 21 – Providence (3/18/1976)

Steals (Player)
Kentucky: 6 – John Wall (12/9/2009)
Opponent: 5 – Gilbert Arenas (11/26/1999)

Steals (Game)
Kentucky: 13 – vs. Connecticut (12/9/2009)
Opponent: 15 – Arizona (11/26/1999)

Blocked Shots (Player)
Kentucky: 7 – Anthony Davis (11/15/2011)
Opponent: 4 – Jeff Withey (11/15/2011)

Blocked Shots (Game)
Kentucky: 13 – vs. Kansas (11/15/2011)
Opponent: 8 – Connecticut (12/9/2009)

Free Throws (Player)
Kentucky: 12 – P.J. Washington (12/8/2018)
Opponent: 15 – Tyshawn Taylor (11/15/2011)

Free Throws (Game)
Kentucky: 26 – vs. St. John’s (12/30/1992)
Opponent: 26 – St. John’s (12/30/1992)

Field Goals (Player)
Kentucky: 13 – Jack Givens (3/18/1976)
Opponent: 12 – Chuckie Williams (3/16/1976)

Field Goals (Game)
Kentucky: 40 – vs. Iona (12/29/1995)
Opponent: 36 – Kansas State (3/16/1976)

3-Point Field Goals (Player)
Kentucky: 7 – Malik Monk (11/15/2016)
Opponent: 6 – Myles Powell (12/8/2018)

3-Point Field Goals (Game)
Kentucky: 13 – vs. UCLA (11/10/2000)
Opponent: 11 – Seton Hall (12/8/2018)