Kentucky Basketball: The Most Hated Players from Wildcats' Biggest Rivals

When it comes to Kentucky basketball and rivalry, it's usually a Wildcat player who is hated by opposing fans. However, Big Blue Nation has quite a bit of hate in their hearts when it comes to those who visit Rupp Arena or disrespect the Kentucky name. 

Whether it's a talented player who continues to one-up Kentucky or a role player who may have said something during an interview, Kentucky fans make sure their voices are heard when it comes time for tipoff.

This slideshow will take a look at the most hated player to put on a jersey for Kentucky's five most notorious rivals. 

Indiana: Christian Watford

Darron Cummings/Associated Press

Indiana and Kentucky won't be facing each other this season. Who is at fault for that is an entirely different discussion. What's not up for debate is the fact Kentucky fans will list Christian Watford as enemy No. 1 when it comes to the Hoosiers. 

The reason is simple: one shot. 

One shot that set Assembly Hall into a frenzy and allowed Indiana fans to rub their noses over Kentucky fans until March. A moment that is still memorialized in Assembly Hall, something to remind Kentucky fans that the Wildcats were a possession away from an undefeated regular season.

Sure, Kentucky got the last laugh when the Wildcats beat Indiana in the Sweet 16. However, the Wildcats could have lived in college basketball immortality by completing an undefeated regular season if that shot didn't happen.  

North Carolina: Rasheed Wallace

Ric Field/Associated Press

Let's set the stage for the hatred of Big Blue Nation and notorious bad boy Rasheed Wallace.

It's the 1995 Elite Eight, and Kentucky is beating North Carolina 8-2 early in the game.

After a Carolina entry pass under the bucket went to Wallace, he was fouled from behind by Andre Riddick. As he got fouled, Wallace swung his elbow and connected with Riddick's jaw. As anyone could guess, Riddick took objection to this, got in Wallace's face and began to put his hands on him. 

While Riddick was assessed a personal foul and Wallace received a technical foul, lost in the skirmish was Kentucky star Walter McCarty also getting a technical foul for just trying to break up to the two players.

This completely changed the game and helped North Carolina make the Final Four. 

Wallace ended the game with 12 points and four rebounds. 

Florida: Matt Walsh

JOHN BAZEMORE/Associated Press

Matt Walsh might be the most hated player Kentucky has ever faced. With chants of 'Walsh is gay!' throughout Rupp Arena, it's fair to say you've reached public enemy No. 1. 

The frustrating thing about Walsh was his success against Kentucky. He scored in double digits in all but one game while grandmothers told him he sucked, or so he says. 

Walsh was a predecessor for guys with long hair that played at Florida. Following in his footsteps of Kentucky hatred was Joakim Noah, who Big Blue Nation looked to attack with words.

It takes a special person, or a special headband and long hair, to turn Rupp Arena into looking for you to fail every time you touch the ball. 

Louisville: Lancaster Gordon

Mark Humphrey/Associated Press

It was the Dream Game in 1983.

Kentucky would meet its most-hated rival in the NCAA tournament, and it was the first time these two teams played each other at all since 1959. 

Louisville head coach Denny Crum set the stage before the game ever started. His statement was heard throughout the commonwealth—especially in Lexington—when he said the Wildcats might be able to carve into Louisville's success with a win.

The Wildcats weren't quiet either, as head coach Joe B. Hall and athletic director Cliff Hagan referred to Louisville as Kentucky's little brother.

When the game finally tipped, things went back and forth. Kentucky jumped out to a 23-10 lead just 10 minutes into the game. Louisville began to fight its way back and finally took the lead thanks to Lancaster Gordon. 

Then with eight seconds left in regulation, Gordon hit a jump shot to give Louisville a two-point lead. Even though the Wildcats were able to force overtime, the Cardinals would go on to win the Dream Game.

Gordon led the charge for Louisville, finishing with 24 points on 11-of-21 shooting. 

Duke: Christian Laettner

Amy Sancetta/Associated Press

This is quite possibly the easiest answer in sports. Ask any Kentucky fan who they hate the most. The answer—without a doubt—will come quickly, and Big Blue Nation will yell, "Christian Laettner."

Everyone knows the story of the shot.

Laettner ending arguably the greatest game in college basketball history when he caught an inbound pass on the opposite free throw line and hit a turnaround jumper to end the season of the most beloved Kentucky team. 

However, it was the stomp that Kentucky fans are most mad about. That shot should have never happened, because Laettner should have been ejected. 

With about nine minutes remaining in regulation and Duke clinging to a tight lead, Laettner and Kentucky's Aminu Timberlake got tangled together under the hoop.

Laettner turned and stomped on Timberlake's chest. Despite the crowd going into a frenzy, Laettner was assessed just one technical foul, allowing him to stay in the game. 

The rest goes down in history, and it's safe to say Laettner will never be bought dinner and a beer in Lexington.