10 years of Big 12 supremacy: 2008

By Staff Mar 4, 2014

KUsports.com graphic by Janella Williams

*From the time of Big 12 divisions, through realignment and the subtraction/addition of teams and a new 10-team format, one thing has remained constant in the conference for the past decade: Kansas University’s men’s basketball team has always finished in first place.*

*All week long, we’ll be looking back at KU’s 10 consecutive Big 12 championships by highlighting the top players and moments of each conference schedule, from 2005 to today.*

*Our five-day blog series will feature two seasons daily, Monday through Friday, so check back each day for more.*

2008
—-

**Big 12 record:** 13-3, tied for 1st with Texas

Kansas guard Brandon Rush puts up a jumper over Colorado forward Marcus King-Stockton during the first half Saturday, Feb. 16, 2008 at Allen Fieldhouse.

Top 5 scorers:
————–

**Brandon Rush (jr., G), 13.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists**

**Mario Chalmers (jr., G), 12.8 points, 4.3 assists, 3.1 rebounds, 2.5 steals**

**Darrell Arthur (so., F), 12.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.3 blocks**

**Darnell Jackson (sr., F), 11.2 points, 6.7 rebounds**

Kansas guard Mario Chalmers, left, edges around Iowa State center Jiri Hubalek for a pass. Chalmers finished with 15 points and two assists.

**Sherron Collins (so., G), 9.3 points, 3.1 assits**

3 memorable moments
——————-

[No. 1 — Four-for-four!: KU clinches share of league crown][1]

– The Jayhawks celebrated their 72-55 win at Texas A&M by being presented with the Big 12 championship trophy in the visitors locker room. Darrell Arthur and Mario Chalmers led Kansas with 16 points apiece, and Sherron Collins added 13.

> “To win four in a row in such a
> competitive league is a remarkable
> accomplishment. This class continues
> to amaze me. We’ll be judged by our
> performance in the postseason like all
> teams, but for those kids to win four
> rings and a chance to win three
> conference championships is a
> remarkable accomplishment.”
>
> — Bill Self

Kansas' Darrell Arthur hangs on the rim after an accidental alley-oop from teammate Mario Chalmers against Texas Tech on Monday at Allen Fieldhouse.

[No. 2 — Sweet sendoff: KU seniors bid farewell with blowout][2]

– On Senior Night for Russell Robinson, Darnell Jackson, Sasha Kaun, Rodrick Stewart and Jeremy Case, the Jayhawks rocked Texas Tech, 109-51, as KU shot 60% from the floor and hit 14 of 24 3-pointers.

> “Coach told us last week he didn’t
> think the Lakers could come in and
> beat us on Senior Night. I agreed with
> him right away.”
>
> — Russell Robinson

[No. 3 — 100 the hard way: Trey-less Jayhawks trip Bears][3]

– Led by 23 points from Darrell Arthur and 22 from Russell Robinson, Kansas didn’t connect on any of its nine 3-pointers, but still out-ran visiting Baylor in a 100-90 victory at Allen Fieldhouse.

Kansas University forward Darnell Jackson roars after a dunk on the opening drive against Oklahoma. The slam set the tone for Jackson and the Jayhawks; he went on to lead KU with 17 points in an 85-55 blowout of the Sooners on Monday at Allen Fieldhouse. Jackson was officially traded to the Kings Wednesday.

> “We got what we wanted. They got what
> they wanted, but we got the win. It
> was an up-and-down game, fast-paced.”
>
> — Darrell Arthur

2008 BIG 12 STANDINGS
———————

Kansas, 13-3

Texas, 13-3

Kansas State, 10-6

Kansas University guard Sherron Collins trots back on defense with a wide smile after drilling a three-pointer in the Jayhawks' 88-74 victory over Kansas State. Collins hit three of seven treys - and KU 11 of 23 - in the victory Saturday in Allen Fieldhouse.

Oklahoma, 9-7

Baylor, 9-7

Texas A&M, 8-8

Nebraska, 7-9

Texas Tech, 7-9

The Kansas University's men's basketball team receives the Big 12 Conference championship trophy from league commissioner Dan Beebe, left. KU's 72-55 victory over Texas A&M on Saturday in College Station, Texas, gave the Jayhawks at least a share of their fourth league crown in four seasons.

Oklahoma State, 7-9

Missouri, 6-10

Iowa State, 4-12

Colorado, 3-13

**10 years of Big 12 supremacy**

*Monday: [2005][4] and [2006][5]*

*Tuesday: [2007][6] and 2008*

*Wednesday: 2009 and 2010*

*Thursday: 2011 and 2012*

*Friday: 2013 and 2014*

[1]: http://www2.kusports.com/news/2008/mar/09/fourfour/?mens_basketball
[2]: http://www2.kusports.com/news/2008/mar/04/sweet_sendoff/?mens_basketball
[3]: http://www2.kusports.com/news/2008/feb/10/100_hard_way/?mens_basketball
[4]: http://www2.kusports.com/weblogs/all_eyes_ku/2014/mar/3/10-years-of-big-12-supremacy-2005/
[5]: http://www2.kusports.com/weblogs/all_eyes_ku/2014/mar/3/10-years-of-big-12-supremacy-2006/
[6]: http://www2.kusports.com/weblogs/all_eyes_ku/2014/mar/4/10-years-of-big-12-supremacy-2007/