10 years of Big 12 supremacy: 2008
Posted by Benton Smith
March 4, 2014 at 1:12 p.m.Advertisement
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
Top 5 scorers:
Brandon Rush (jr., G), 13.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists
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. by Nick Krug
Mario Chalmers (jr., G), 12.8 points, 4.3 assists, 3.1 rebounds, 2.5 steals
Kansas guard Mario Chalmers, left, edges around Iowa State center Jiri Hubalek for a pass. Chalmers finished with 15 points and two assists. by Nick Krug
Darrell Arthur (so., F), 12.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.3 blocks
Kansas' Darrell Arthur hangs on the rim after an accidental alley-oop from teammate Mario Chalmers against Texas Tech on Monday at Allen Fieldhouse. by thad-allender
Darnell Jackson (sr., F), 11.2 points, 6.7 rebounds
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. by Nick Krug
Sherron Collins (so., G), 9.3 points, 3.1 assits
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. by Nick Krug
3 memorable moments
No. 1 — Four-for-four!: KU clinches share of league crown
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. by Nick Krug
- 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
No. 2 — Sweet sendoff: KU seniors bid farewell with blowout
- 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
- 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.
"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
Oklahoma, 9-7
Baylor, 9-7
Texas A&M, 8-8
Nebraska, 7-9
Texas Tech, 7-9
Oklahoma State, 7-9
Missouri, 6-10
Iowa State, 4-12
Colorado, 3-13
10 years of Big 12 supremacy
Tuesday: 2007 and 2008
Wednesday: 2009 and 2010
Thursday: 2011 and 2012
Friday: 2013 and 2014
Comments
Brian Mellor 8 years, 5 months ago
I seem to recall this being a good year. One of my favorites, for some reason that I can't quite remember.
Ryan Shelton 8 years, 5 months ago
Wasn't there another highlight to that year? It's on the tip of my tongue...
Erich Hartmann 8 years, 5 months ago
Best KU team to me, since they exemplified team play, outstanding defense, and transition highlights galore. Bill Self's best team at KU, and likely for his whole coaching career. VERY close behind this team is the 2012TyshawnTRob team that showed tremendous heart. That OT final defeat of Mizzou in AFH was beyond any other Mizzou game.
I've liked other KU teams, heck, I like every KU team, but each year we see a particular squad's weaknesses. The 2011MorrisHawks seemingly had no weaknesses, which is why losing to VCU hurt so much.
Will limit discussion to Self's teams. The fact remains that none of Roy's won the NC. And its really hard for me to look at Roy's playstyle (eventhough we all loved it for 15yrs at KU), because now we see what Self does (or at least demands...) is simply a more complete game, coached on both ends. The current '13-14 team has fair amount of consistency issues and defensive issues...
Ian Emerson 8 years, 5 months ago
Bill Self is just flat out a better couch, a better recruiter and has already proved it in his coaching career at KU. Granted Roy did give it his all, Bill Self found a way to give even more.
Commenting has been disabled for this item.