SI cover: Kentucky on the brink of history

The undefeated Kentucky Wildcats are on this week's SI cover ahead of the Final Four in Indianapolis.

Author:
Scooby Axson
Publish date:
Apr 1, 2015

kentucky-si-cover-final-four — David Richard/Associated Press

Earlier this season, Kentucky head coach John Calipari tried explaining his reasoning behind using a sort of platoon system to divvy up the playing time among his talented, mostly McDonald's All-America-laden team.

"This is not communism," Calipari said. "You've gotta perform."

While the Wildcats continue to shuffle moving parts of the nation's tallest and stingiest defensive team, one thing is clear: they are two steps away from a 40-0 finish and a place among the greats in college basketball history.

The rotation of mostly nine players have rarely been challenged this season, but they needed every bit of their talent, and perhaps luck, to squeak past Notre Dame 68-66 in the Midwest regional final.

First up for the Wildcats on their continuing pursuit of perfection is Wisconsin. Saturday's game is a rematch of a 2014 national semifinal, won by Kentucky 74-73.

While the Wildcats are slight favorites to take home their ninth national championship, Kentucky's opponents know there aren't many ways to beat them.

When a Kentucky player struggles to get his offense going, another steps up. Freshman forward Karl-Anthony Towns scored only one point in the Wildcats's 78-39 destruction of West Virginia in the regional semifinal, but came up big against the Fighting Irish, scoring a career-high 25 points.

"What makes us unique.." Calipari says, "is there is no pressure on you to play great."

For more on the Final Four, check out this week's Sports Illustrated (subscribe here).

Also in this issue, profiles of Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook, former Colorado State quarterback Garrett Grayson and a book excerpt from Arnold Palmer.

Subscribers and newsstands in North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Eastern Missouri, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina will receive this cover.

Not in the area to buy the regional issue? Buy single issues here.

2015 Sports Illustrated Covers

2015 Sports Illustrated Covers

Will Smith

December 21, 2015 | This week’s cover of Sports Illustrated features actor Will Smith ahead of the Christmas Day release of the movie Concussion.

Serena Williams

December 21, 2015 | Serena Williams is Sports Illustrated's 2015 Sportsperson of the Year.

Deshaun Watson

December 14, 2015 | Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson, one of the finalists for the Heisman Trophy, is featured on the College Football Playoff preview issue of Sports Illustrated.

Brock Osweiler

December 7, 2015 | Two games after replacing the injured Peyton Manning as Denver's quarterback, Brock Osweiler lands on a regional cover of SI on the strength of victories over Chicago and undefeated New England.

LeBron James

December 7, 2015 | LeBron James appears on yet another cover of SI, this time with an exclusive interview on what the past 16 months have been like since his return to Cleveland and the urgency he feels to win another title.

Cam Newton

November 30, 2015 | Quarterback Cam Newton and the 10–0 Carolina Panthers are featured on this week’s national cover of SI. Carolina has been led in the quest to remain undefeated by Newton, who has generated controversy with his on-field antics.

Iowa Hawkeyes

2015-1130-Iowa-Raucous-X160163_TK1_1211-rawcovfinal.jpg — Jeff Haynes for Sports Illustrated

November 30, 2015 | Iowa football, which shares the Panthers’ undefeated record, is featured on the regional cover delivered to the following locations: Missouri, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota.

Jeff Gordon

November 23, 2015 | Fourteen years after he won his fourth Cup title, Jeff Gordon is in NASCAR's final four with a shot at one more championship. That earned him a spot on this week's cover of SI.

Todd Gurley

November 23, 2015 | It's not hard to imagine all the rushing records falling to St. Louis Rams rookie Todd Gurley, who appears on a regional cover of this week's SI.

Michael Phelps

November 16, 2015 | A year ago the best swimmer in Olympic history was lost. Now, after coming to terms with himself, the best might lie ahead for Michael Phelps, who appears on this week's SI cover.

Clemson: Deshaun Watson

November 16, 2015 | Regional Cover: When not coining acronyms, Dabo Swinney is building the nation's #1 team, which is why Clemson is on the cover of the mid-November issue of SI.

Kansas City Royals

November 9, 2015 | After winning their first World Series title since 1985, the Kansas City Royals are featured on this week’s cover of Sports Illustrated.

Daniel Murphy

November 2, 2015 | New York Mets second baseman Daniel Murphy, the NLCS MVP who helped his team reach the World Series, is on this week's cover of Sports Illustrated. Murphy hit an astronomical .421 with a 1.026 slugging percentage in the first two rounds of the playoffs, thanks to his seven home runs, six of which he hit in consecutive games.

Lorenzo Cain

November 2, 2015 | With the Kansas City Royals back in the World Series, centerfielder Lorenzo Cain appears on a regional issue of Sports Illustrated. Cain was the 2014 ALCS MVP and hit .300 in this year’s ALCS as the Royals peppered the Toronto Blue Jays with hits to score 38 runs and earn a ticket to baseball’s finale.

Karl-Anthony Towns with Kevin Garnett

October 26, 2015 | Four NBA teams are featured on the cover of this week’s NBA Preview issue of Sports Illustrated, which takes a look at how each team’s superstars will act as mentors to their next wave of stars, including Minnesota's Karl-Anthony Towns and Kevin Garnett (pictured at right).

LaMarcus Aldridge and Tim Duncan

October 26, 2015 | Four NBA teams are featured on the cover of this week’s NBA Preview issue of Sports Illustrated, which takes a look at how each team’s superstars will act as mentors to their next wave of stars, including LaMarcus Aldridge and Tim Duncan (pictured at right).

D’Angelo Russell and Kobe Bryant

Andrew D. Bernstein for Sports Illustrated

October 26, 2015 | Four NBA teams are featured on the cover of this week’s NBA Preview issue of Sports Illustrated, which takes a look at how each team’s superstars will act as mentors to their next wave of stars, including Kobe Bryant and D'Angelo Russell (pictured at right).

Justise Winslow and Dwyane Wade

Jeffery A. Salter for Sports Illustrated

October 26, 2015 | Four NBA teams are featured on the cover of this week’s NBA Preview issue of Sports Illustrated, which takes a look at how each team’s superstars will act as mentors to their next wave of stars,including Dwyane Wade and Justice Winslow (pictured at right).

Leonard Fournette

October 19, 2015 | This week’s cover of Sports Illustrated features LSU sophomore running back Leonard Fournette, who has led his Tigers to a 5–0 record and a No. 6 national ranking.

Toronto Blue Jays

October 12, 2015 | The Toronto Blue Jays are playoff-bound for the first time since winning the 1993 World Series and this week's SI cover features designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion, shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, pitcher David Price, catcher Russell Martin, rightfielder Jose Bautista, third baseman Josh Donaldson and manager John Gibbons.

Muhammad Ali

October 5, 2015 | Muhammad Ali is honored on the cover this week to celebrate the magazine’s Sportsman Legacy Award. The Legacy Award was created in 2008 to honor former athletes and sports figures who embody ideals of leadership, sportsmanship and philanthropy as vehicles for changing the world. The renaming of the award was announced earlier this week, and Ali will be recognized at a dedication ceremony at the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, Ky., on Thursday. That date, Oct. 1., also marks the 40th anniversary of Ali’s legendary “Thrilla in Manila” defeat of Joe Frazier.

Trae Elston

September 28, 2015 | After a 3–0 start to their season, the Ole Miss Rebels and defensive back Trae Elston are featured in a Sports Illustrated cover story by Andy Staples. In wins over UT Martin, Fresno State and Alabama, Elston, a senior, logged a team-leading three interceptions for 159 yards and two touchdowns with 12 total tackles.

Aaron Rodgers

September 21, 2015 | As Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers prepares for a season without his top receiver, the reigning NFL MVP is featured on a regional cover. Rodgers completed 18 of 23 passes for 189 yards and three touchdowns in Sunday’s season opening win over the Chicago Bears.

Marcus Mariota

September 21, 2015 | Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota is also featured on a regional cover. Mariota completed 13 of 16 passes for 209 yards and four touchdowns in his debut, recording a perfect 158.3 passer rating in the team's 42-14 victory over the Buccaneers on Sunday.

Tom Brady

Illustration by WM J. Hennessy Jr., CourtroomArt.com for Sports Illustrated

September 14, 2015 | The New England Patriots appear on this week's cover of Sports Illustrated, with S.L. Price analyzing the Deflategate court ruling and three investigative reports writing about other teams' distrust of the Patriots.

Cody Kessler

September 14, 2015 | Cody Kessler of USC is on a regional cover this week.

Odell Beckham Jr.

September 7, 2015 | New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. headlines a list of five players featured on regional covers of the NFL Preview issue.

Lavonte David

September 7, 2015 | Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David headlines a list of five players featured on regional covers of the NFL Preview issue.

Russell Wilson

September 7, 2015 | Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson headlines a list of five players featured on regional covers of the NFL Preview issue.

J.J. Watt

September 7, 2015 | Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt headlines a list of five players featured on regional covers of the NFL Preview issue.

Matt Forte

September 7, 2015 | Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte headlines a list of five players featured on regional covers of the NFL Preview issue.

Serena Williams

August 31, 2015 | Chasing history at the U.S. Open, Serena Williams is featured on this week's SI cover.

Chicago Cubs

August 31, 2015 | Cubs' resurgence, Wrigley optimism featured on this week's regional SI cover.

Cardinals Rule

August 24, 2015 | Ben Reiter examines the greatness of the St. Louis Cardinals, who have overcome injuries to stars like Adam Wainwright on their way to Major League Baseball's best record.

Fantasy Football Preview

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images, Photo Illustration by Elevendy Studio

August 17, 2015 | Austin Murphy profiles Antonio Brown, the undersized and underexposed wideout who, over the last two years, has been perhaps the NFL’s most productive wide receiver.

Fantasy Football Preview

John W. McDonough for Sports Illustrated, Photo Illustration by Elevendy Studio

August 17, 2015 | Marshawn Lynch could be the safest pick of any other running back in fantasy football.

Fantasy Football Preview

David Banks/Getty Images, Photo Illustration by Elevendy Studio

August 17, 2015 | Ryan Tannehill could be this year's fantasy quarterback breakout as he attempts to lead the Dolphins to the playoffs.

Fantasy Football Preview

Tom DiPace, Photo Illustration by Elevendy Studio

August 17, 2015 | Robert Quinn and the Rams defense are a fantasy owner's dream unit.

Ohio State

August 10, 2015 | Ohio State is looking to defend its national title this season, but the Buckeyes have no shortage of challengers.

Notre Dame

August 10, 2015 | Despite a new starting quarterback, Notre Dame looks like a contender entering the 2015 season.

Mississippi State

August 10, 2015 | Dak Prescott electrified Starkville last season as Mississippi State unexpectedly attained a No. 1 ranking, but the Bulldogs have the pressure of expectations this season.

TCU

August 10, 2015 | TCU narrowly missed the College Football Playoff last season, but Heisman candidate Trevone Boykin and the Horned Frogs are primed for a title run this year.

Pete Carroll

Rod Mar, John Iacono for Sports Illustrated (background)

August 3, 2015 | Pete Carroll isn't shaken by his fateful decision to pass from the 1-yard-line at the end of Super Bowl XLIX.

Darrelle Revis

July 27, 2015 | New York's Darrelle Revis is back on Broadway, recreating the iconic Joe Namath SI cover.

U.S. Women’s National Team

July 20, 2015 | Julie Johnston, Abby Wambach, Alex Morgan, Carli Lloyd, Hope Solo, Becky Sauerbrunn and Megan Rapinoe of the U.S. Women’s National Team appear on one of 25 different SI covers this week. The other 24 covers honor each individual player and coach Jill Ellis.

Favre: In SI’s annual “Where Are They Now?” issue

July 6-13, 2015 | Former Packers great Brett Favre finally is comfortable after retiring from the NFL for the final time five years ago.

Jordan Spieth wins the U.S. Open

June 29, 2015 | Jordan Spieth’s dramatic one-shot U.S. Open victory at Chambers Bay has the 21-year old phenom just two major victories from winning golf’s Grand Slam.

NBA MVP Stephen Curry

June 29, 2015 | Basketball’s best shooter, NBA MVP Stephen Curry, completed a dream season by helping bring home the Warriors first title in 40 years, but knows there is more work to do if they want to be known as a dynasty.

Chicago Blackhawks win their third Stanley Cup

June 22, 2015 | The Chicago Blackhawks capped off their third Stanley Cup title in six years with a victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning and are now hockey’s newest modern day dynasty.

The NBA Finals

John W. McDonough for Sports Illustrated

June 22, 2015 | The NBA Finals have completed turned around, thanks to the defensive and surprisingly, offensive contributions of Golden State Warriors guard Andre Iguodala.

American Pharoah Wins The Triple Crown

June 15, 2015 | American Pharoah ended a nearly four-decade Triple Crown drought by winning the 147th Belmont Stakes, and making it look easy.