Search - 1997 Arizona/Kentucky on DVD

Great game,no bonus footage

Armyratt | Lousiana | 06/02/2009

(2 out of 5 stars)

"TV:CBS
Announcers:Jim Nantz and Billy Packer
Location:Indianapolis-March 31,1997
Radio:Westwood One

The RCA Dome was packed with fans for this classic "Battle of the Cats".For forty minutes plus, these two great teams fought tooth and nail with neither team having more than a six point lead.In the closing seconds,Arizona seemed to have the game in hand,but Kentucky sank a three point shot sending the game into overtime.In the extra period,foul trouble and fatigue plagued Kentucky while Arizona converted several key free throws to ensure the win giving head coach Lute Olsen his only National Championship with the final score 84-79.

For Arizona,Miles Simon led the scoring with 30 points.Teammates Mike Bibby and Jason Terry also had outstanding performances.For Kentucky,Ron Mercer played well.This game turned out to be the last for Rick Pitino as Kentucky's head coach.As soon as the game ends,the on court celebration by Arizona players and coaches is shown for a few seconds and then,the DVD ends.The post game interviews,trophy presentation,and the playing of the song,One Shining Moment which has been a staple of the CBS broadcast are all left out which should not happen because they are just as much a part of the broadcast as the game itself.

This Dvd does not capture the magic of the original broadcast at all and you can tell it's been heavily edited to exclude a lot of the graphics that were originally shown.The version of this game shown on ESPN Classic is actually better quality because you at least get to see more of the post game festivities."