Kentucky, N.Carolina, UCLA, Kansas, and Duke Celebrate 500 Combined Years of College Basketball Play During "Historic Season" of 2006-07

For the first time in US sports history five elite teams will celebrate the magic number of 500. Known as The "Phat 5" of College Basketball they will also be looking to extend their consecutive Final Four streak to 20 straight years (1988-2007).

(PRWEB) September 20, 2006 -- The 2006-07 season of college basketball will mark an historical achievement in US sports by the five winningest NCAA Division 1 basketball programs of All-Time. The "Phat 5" started at different times during a 21 year stretch from 1899-1920 as all the moons are lined up for the magical number of 500 for this upcoming season.

Kentucky 104 years, 1903-2006-07

N. Carolina 97 years, 1911-2006-07

UCLA 88 years, 1920-2006-07

Kansas 109 years, 1899- 2006-07

Duke 102 years, 1906- 2006-07

Kentucky was suspended from playing any competitive games by the NCAA and SEC (Southeastern Conference) during the 1952-53 season because of a point shaving scandal in 1951 that revealed players from the school took money to shave points and fix games. That sanction 54 years ago allowed for the perfect number of 500 years not 501.

The "Phat 5" will play one another 4 times during the regular season November 21, 2006 UCLA vs. Kentucky or DePaul, the 2nd round of the Maui Invitational Tournament. UCLA will play Chaminade in the 1st round. December 2, 2006 Kentucky vs. N.Carolina at Chapel Hill. February 7, 2007 N. Carolina vs. Duke at Durham. March 4, 2007 Duke vs. N.Carolina at Chapel Hill.

The "Phat 5" also have another record streak of 19 consecutive Final Four appearances and will be looking to extend the streak to 20. Since 1988 there has been atleast one of The "Phat 5" programs each year to reach the Final Four. UCLA made it 19 this past March of 2006.

They have combined for 71 Final Four appearances and 27 National Championships.

UCLA 16 Final Fours and 11 National Championships, N. Carolina 16 Final Fours and 4 National Championships, Duke 14 Final Fours and 3 National Championships, Kentucky 13 Final Fours and 7 National Championships, and Kansas 12 Final Fours and 2 National Championships.

The "Phat 5" Final Four Streak 1988-2006

2007- Which one of The "Phat 5" team(s)

2006- UCLA, Florida, LSU, George Mason

2005- UNC, Illinois, Louisville, Michigan St.

2004- Duke, U-Conn, Oklahoma St., Georgia Tech.

2003- Kansas, Texas, Marquette, Syracuse

2002- Kansas, Maryland, Indiana, Oklahoma

2001- Duke, Michigan St., Arizona, Maryland

2000- UNC, Michigan St., Florida, Wisconsin

1999- Duke, U-Conn, Michigan St., Ohio St.

1998- UNC, Kentucky, Stanford, Utah

1997- Kentucky, UNC, Arizona, Minnesota

1996- Kentucky, U-Mass, Syracuse, Mississippi St.

1995- UCLA, UNC, Arkansas, Oklahoma St.

1994- Duke, Arkansas, Arizona, Florida

1993- UNC, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan

1992- Duke, Indiana, Cincinnati, Michigan

1991- UNC, Duke, Kansas, UNLV

1990- Duke, UNLV, Georgia Tech, Arkansas

1989- Duke, Illinois, Seton Hall, Michigan

1988- Duke, Kansas, Arizona, Oklahoma St.

1988-2, 1991-3, 1993-3, 1995-2, 1997-2, and 1998-2 were years that multiple teams of The "Phat 5" reached the Final Four.

The previous streak of 16 straight Final Fours was from 1962-78 and was ended by Magic Johnson (Michigan St.) and Larry Bird (Indiana St.) in 1979. 1979 is also the year that the Final Four became a major part of American sports culture on the same level as the Super Bowl, World Series, and College Football National Championship game. Larry Bird was briefly a member of the Indiana Hoosiers but left the school and later transfered to Indiana St. Indiana was the only other program considered for The "Phat 5."

3 of the 4 All-Time leading scores in NBA history attended one of The "Phat 5" programs Kareem Abdul Jabbar (UCLA), Michael Jordan (N. Carolina), and Wilt Chamberlain (Kansas).

For more information or interview request on The "Phat 5" of College Basketball and the 500 years of historic basketball play contact Derrick E. Vaughan at 443-851-5244.

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