The mark for most points scored by Kentucky basketball at Madison Square Garden

“The Mecca of Basketball,” Madison Square Garden, has been the site of some of the biggest events in the history of the sport. Kentucky basketball is no stranger to its famous floor. From winning the NIT in 1976 to facing off in the Champions Classic in the present day, the Wildcats have a strong, if not always perfect, track record at MSG.

BigBlueHistory.net says that Kentucky has an overall record of 14-6 at Madison Square Garden, which includes a number of memorable events.

The 1976 NBA Playoffs: A Championship Crowned in MSG

The first time the Wildcats made noise at MSG was in 1976, when they beat all the other teams in the NIT to win the title. Before beating UNC-Charlotte 71–67 in front of 12,415 people to win the title, Kentucky beat Niagara, Kansas State, and Providence in close games. In the game against Providence, Jack Givens made 13 field goals, which is still a record.

Dominance at Holiday Festivals

Back in the early 1990s, Kentucky did very well in the ECAC Holiday Festival finals. In 1992, they beat Rutgers and St. John’s, with 14,856 people watching the St. John’s game. They came back in 1995 and beat Rider and Iona. In the title game against Iona, Tony Delk scored 29 points. With 40 field goals and 27 assists, Kentucky set MSG records that night.

Modern classics and performances that broke records

In their time at MSG, the Wildcats have played in some great games, like the Champions Classic and other big games. Anthony Davis blocked a record seven shots as Kentucky beat Kansas 75–65 in 2011. With 20 rebounds, Oscar Tshiebwe dominated Michigan State in 2021, and Sahvir Wheeler gave out 10 assists.

Kentucky has had some tough losses, like a heartbreaking one to Seton Hall in 2018 and a 10-point loss to UCLA in 2022. Also in the 2000 Coaches vs. Cancer Classic, teams lost to St. John’s and UCLA back-to-back, with UCLA winning in OT despite scoring 92 points.

How Do We Proceed?

On December 21, 2024, Ohio State will play Kentucky at MSG in the CBS Sports Classic. Mark Pope, Kentucky’s head coach, looked up to MSG as a child and will try to add another win to the team’s long history in “The World’s Most Famous Arena.”

The past of the Wildcats at MSG shows that the team isn’t afraid to play on the biggest stages in basketball. Saturday, Kentucky is going to keep shining under the lights of New York City.

High points for the Cats at MSG:

facts from bigbluehistory.net

Factors (Player)

29 – Tony Delk (12/29/1995) and P.J. Washington (12/8/2018) from Kentucky

28, Myles Powell (12/8/2018), is the opponent.

Number of points (Game)

Kentucky 106–Iona 12/29/1995
97–UCLA (11/10/2000) as the opponent

Takes back (Player)

Twenty: Oscar Tshiebwe from Kentucky (11/9/2021)
14. Larry Dassle (3/16/1976) and Dan Gadzuric (11/10/2000) were his opponents.

Bouncing back (game)

Kentucky: 52 – vs. Rider (12/27/1995)

48–St. John’s (12/30/1992) Opponent

Helps the player

10 – Sahvir Wheeler (November 11, 2021). Kentucky
9 – Earl Watson (11/10/2000) for the opponent

Helps with (Game)

Kentucky 27–Iona 12/29/1995
21 – Providence (3/18/1976) was the opponent.

Removes (Player)

No. 6: John Wall for Kentucky (12/9/2009).

Five — Gilbert Arenas (11/26/1999)

Acquires (Game)

Kentucky: 13– Connecticut (12/9/2009)
Arizona (11/26/1999) was the opponent.

Aborted Shots (Player)

7 – Anthony Davis (11/15/2011) for Kentucky
4, Jeff Withey (11/15/2011), as the opponent

Ill-Fated Shots

Thirteen – vs. Kansas (11/15/2011)

The other team is 8– Connecticut (12/9/2009).

Playoffs (Player)

12: P.J. Washington of Kentucky (12/8/2018)
15. Tyshawn Taylor (11/15/2011) as an opponent

Shooting free throws

25–26 – vs. St. John’s (12/30/1992)
Number 26: St. John’s (12/30/1992), the opponent

Scoring field goals

13: Jack Givens from Kentucky on March 18, 1976.

12, Chuckie Williams (3/16/1976), as the opponent

Kicking field goals

Kentucky 40–Iona 12/29/1995
Opponent: 36 – Kansas State (3/16/1976)

Goals from three points (Player)

7. Malik Monk for Kentucky (11/15/2016)
6. Myles Powell (12/8/2018) is the opponent.

The game of 3-point field goals

13-0 against UCLA on November 10, 2000.

11. Seton Hall (12/8/2018) as the opponent