An unexpected champion
As odd as it is to think of Kentucky as a sleeper in the Tournament, that is exactly what they were in 1998. They were breaking in Tubby Smith, who was in his first year there, and they were looking at some potential nightmare games, as the four #1 seeds were far and away the elite in America. But in a stupefying turn of events, only one of those four teams made it to the Final Four. Kentucky took down the one in their own region, coming from way back late in the game to beat a very good Duke team, and thereby establishing the nickname "comeback cats." Upstart Rhode Island University stunningly knocked off Kansas, and the Utah Utes hammered the then defending National Champions: the Arizona Wildcats. Only #1 seed North Carolina represented the nation's elite in that Final Four. Moreover, the Heels were upset by the Utah Utes, leaving Rick Majerus' club against a tough Kentucky squad. Sure enough, the Wildcats came from behind to upend the Runnin' Utes and claim yet another National Crown.