Greetings, Big Blue Nation.
Today, we examine how the Kentucky Wildcats have historically fared against Big 12 opponents — both in regular-season battles and on the grandest NCAA Tournament stages.
While the Big Ten has often proved formidable, Kentucky has performed significantly better against the Big 12. In fact, UK holds winning records against every current Big 12 program except Arizona — the only team to beat Kentucky in a national title game, doing so in 1997.
Five of Kentucky’s eight national titles came from victories over Big 12 teams: Baylor, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, and Utah. The Wildcats are 5–1 in national championship games against these programs — a testament to their consistent dominance when it matters most.
Utah has been Kentucky’s biggest victim. The teams met six times in just 12 years during the NCAA Tournament — with Utah losing all six, including the 1998 national title game. That period cemented UK as a recurring nightmare for the Utes.
Kansas, a fellow blue-blood, has lost the head-to-head series 24–12. Kentucky bested the Jayhawks in the 2012 NCAA Championship. Though Kansas has had a better run in recent regular-season matchups (UK is 4–6 in the past 10 meetings), the overall edge remains Kentucky’s.
In 2019, UK knocked out Houston in the Sweet Sixteen behind standout performances from PJ Washington and Tyler Herro.
Kansas State, though, has been a thorn lately — eliminating Kentucky from the tournament in both 2018 and 2023.
Despite a few recent stumbles, Kentucky’s record against the Big 12 underscores its blue-blood pedigree — forged through decades of excellence and punctuated by championship glory.
