Heading into the national championship, Utah was looking to become the first Mid-major Conference team to win the championship since UNLV won it in 1990. Like in the Elite Eight and Final Four, Utah jumped out to a large lead, going into the half up 10. However, they couldn't hold on and Kentucky fought back and using their depth and talent, they took over the game in the final minutes and cruised to a 78–69 victory. Once again the Utes' season was ended at the hands of Kentucky. This time though, it was a loss that cost Utah a national championship. Utah's 1998 NCAA Tournament run capped one of the greatest seasons in Utah basketball history, and cemented the Utes standing on the national stage in the 1990s — where they were one of the nation's winningest programs. Rick Majerus career would come to an end only a few years after that run. After guiding Utah to 3 more conference championships and 4 NCAA Tournament berths (1999, 2000, 2002, and 2003) which included another loss to Kentucky (the 2003 NCAA second round). Majerus retired from Utah, citing health concerns. He left the Utes with a 323–95 record, including 4 Sweet 16s, 2 Elite Eights and 1 Final Four. After Kerry Rupp led the Utes to the NCAA Tournament to finish out the remainder of Rick Majerus' season in 2004, Utah had to look for a coach for the first time in 15 years. After being turned down by Nevada head coach Trent Johnson, the Utes settled on Eastern Washington head coach Ray Giacoletti. An unknown from the Northwest, many fans were left wondering whether the hire would prove to be successful or not. And at first, it appeared it would be, as in his first season with the Utes, Giacoletti led them to a 29–6 record, a dominant 13–1 conference finish and a Sweet 16 appearance, the school's first since the amazing run in 1998. And, like in 1998, Utah would lose to their tournament nemesis, Kentucky. Utah finished the season ranked No. 14 in the nation; Andrew Bogut won the Naismith and Wooden Awards and was taken No. 1 overall in the 2005 NBA Draft. Yet that success ultimately did Giacoletti in, as the Utes lost too much from that season and failed to finish above .500 in consecutive years for the first time since the 1983–84 and 1984–85 seasons. On March 3, 2007, Giacoletti resigned as Utah's head coach effective after the season.