A defining moment

By Eric Sorrentino     Apr 9, 2008

When Mario Chalmers left his spot on the right wing and made his way toward the top of the key in a designed weave to get the junior guard the ball, a crowd of 43,257 at the Alamodome watched the release of the most historic and biggest shot in the history of the Big 12 Conference.

Before Monday’s 75-68 KU victory, no Big 12 team ever had won the national title.

Of course, Chalmers’ shot hit the bottom of the net, and Kansas dominated Memphis in overtime with a 12-5 advantage.

Down nine points with 2:12 remaining, the KU comeback was improbable, but it happened.

The national title game was the undisputed and obvious choice for most memorable Big 12 game of the 2007-2008 season. Here’s the other nine:

2. Kansas vs. UNC (April 5, 2008; NCAA Final Four, San Antonio, Texas)

What made it memorable: What didn’t make the game memorable? Roy Williams history aside, it may have been the most productive half of basketball in KU history. KU coach Bill Self called the first 15 minutes the best he’s ever had a team play. At one point, the Jayhawks led the Tar Heels, 40-12.

Freshman Cole Aldrich, typically third off the KU bench, frustrated national player of the year Tyler Hansbrough. Kansas led, 11-6, when Aldrich replaced Sasha Kaun. Fewer than 10 minutes later, the Jayhawks led by 28.

Final score: Kansas 84, North Carolina 66

3. Kansas vs. Texas (March 16, 2008; Big 12 Tournament championship, Kansas City, Mo.)

What made it memorable: Did anyone miss during the first half? Rarely, particularly from long distance (Texas 72.7 percent in the first half, KU 60 percent).

In arguably the most exciting Big 12 game of the season, KU hit a Big 12 tournament-record 15 threes, while UT converted 12. Chalmers played the game on another planet (8-for-12 threes, 30 points), while Brandon Rush drained six of the nine threes he put up.

Final score: Kansas 84, Texas 74

4. Kansas State vs. Kansas (Jan. 30, 2008; Manhattan)

What made it memorable: Kansas State beat Kansas in Manhattan for the first time since 1983. Freshman Michael Beasley, who guaranteed victory, delivered 25 points and six rebounds.

Final score: K-State 84, Kansas 75

5. Baylor vs. Texas A&M (Jan. 23, 2008; College Station, Texas)

What made it memorable: It was the longest game in Big 12 history. The game went into five overtimes before Baylor guard Curtis Jerrells took over and scored 11 of his career-high 36 points in the final period.

Final score: BU 116, A&M 110 (5 OT)

6. Texas vs. UCLA (Dec. 2, 2007; Los Angeles)

What made it memorable: Obvious buzz surrounded this early-season game, which saw scouts from 29 of the 30 NBA teams on hand. It was the highest-ranked team the Longhorns ever beat on the road.

Final score: UT 63, UCLA 61

7. Kansas vs. Davidson (March 30, 2008; NCAA Elite Eight, Detroit)

What made it memorable: KU coach Bill Self was 0-4 in Elite Eight games before the two-point KU victory. Self looked on in the crouched position as Jason Richards missed a 25-foot prayer as time expired, then rolled forward to the ground in the relief of victory. It’s some of the most memorable footage CBS displayed in its One Shining Moment highlight video.

Final score: KU 59, Dav. 57

8. Texas vs. Stanford (March 28, 2008; Sweet 16)

What made it memorable: All the questions surrounding Texas stopping Stanford’s 7-foot Lopez twins. Brook had 26 points, but failed to score in the final 14 minutes. Robin only scored six.

Only one other Stanford player scored in double digits. Four Longhorns did.

The victory, combined with KU’s victory over Villanova, put two Big 12 teams in the Elite Eight.

Final score: Texas 82, Stanford 62

9. K-State vs. Missouri (Feb. 15, 2008; Manhattan)

What made it memorable: The Michael Beasley show (40 points, 17 rebounds).

Final score: KSU 100, MU 63

10 . Kansas vs. Texas Tech (March 3, 2008; Lawrence)

What made it memorable: The historic, 58-point pounding the Jayhawks issued the Red Raiders. It was the the largest margin of victory in conference play in KU history. It also represented the Jayhawks’ 24th straight Senior Night win; a memorable sendoff for Jeremy Case, who hit a trio of three-pointers that had the Allen Fieldhouse faithful at its loudest.

Final score: Kansas 109, Texas Tech 51

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