Kentucky Breaks Out Denim Throwbacks to Honor '96 Champs-Now They Just Need to Win in Them
When Kentucky takes the floor this Saturday against Tennessee at Rupp Arena, it won’t just be another chapter in one of the SEC’s most heated rivalries-it’ll also be a walk down memory lane. The Wildcats will be rocking denim-inspired uniforms in a nod to the legendary 1996 national championship team, the “Untouchables,” a squad that went 34-2 and is still widely considered one of the greatest college basketball teams ever assembled.
And yes, they’re bold. That’s the point.
The look was teased earlier with Devin Booker’s “Book 1” denim-themed Nike shoes-an homage to the same era-and now the full outfit is here. It’s a statement.
It’s a throwback. And it’s a challenge: if you’re going to wear something this audacious, you better back it up on the court.
Players Are Buying In
The current roster might not have been around for Tony Delk, Antoine Walker, and the rest of the ‘96 crew, but they understand the legacy-and they’re embracing it.
“I think they'll be sweet,” said guard Collin Chandler. “It'll be sweet for the fan base to kind of bring those back and bring back some memories...
I think the fan base will love it. Give them a 10, of course.”
Trent Noah, a Kentucky native who grew up steeped in Big Blue lore, hasn’t seen the full uniform yet, but he’s all in. “I know they'll be fire and I'm excited to wear those,” Noah said.
“I like how a lot of different clothing brands are pushing out just regular stuff in denim like hats... I'm a fan of it.
I like it.”
That blend of old-school reverence and modern swagger is exactly what this uniform rollout needed. It’s not just about honoring the past-it’s about owning it in the present.
The Stakes Are Real
But this isn’t just a fashion moment. Kentucky-Tennessee games rarely need extra juice, but this one’s got it anyway.
Last season, the Wildcats swept the Vols in the regular season, only to see Tennessee bounce them from the Sweet 16. That stung.
Kentucky returned the favor last month, walking into Knoxville and stealing a win on the road. Now, they’re eyeing another regular-season sweep-and doing it in denim adds a little extra pressure.
Because here’s the unwritten rule in college basketball: if you roll out special uniforms, you can’t lose in them. Ask any longtime Kentucky fan about the silver uniforms from 2002.
The Cats broke them out, got run off the floor by Michigan State, and those jerseys were never seen again. That’s the kind of jersey trauma you don’t forget.
So yeah, these denim-inspired fits look great. But they better come with a W.
Look Good. Play Better.
This is about more than nostalgia. It’s about connecting a new generation of Wildcats with one of the most dominant teams in college basketball history.
It’s about swagger, pride, and legacy. And it’s about making sure that when you honor greatness, you live up to it.
So when the lights go up at Rupp on Saturday night, the uniforms will be loud. The crowd will be louder. And the message will be clear: look good, play good-and beat the Vols.