10 years of Big 12 supremacy: 2013
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've been 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.
2013
Big 12 record: 14-4, tied for 1st with Kansas State
Top 5 scorers:
Ben McLemore, 15.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists
Kansas guard Ben McLemore elevates to the bucket before an intentional foul from Kansas State forward Jordan Henriquez during the first half on Monday, Feb. 11, 2013. by Nick Krug
Jeff Withey, 13.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3.9 blocks
Kansas center Jeff Withey comes in for a jam against Oklahoma Jan. 26 at Allen Fieldhouse. This photo was taken using a remote camera with a wide-angle lens placed behind the glass of the backboard. by Nick Krug
Travis Releford, 11.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.3 steals
Kansas guard Travis Releford lays in a bucket on a break against Texas Christian during the first half on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013 at Allen Fieldhouse. by Nick Krug
Elijah Johnson, 9.9 points, 4.6 assists, 3.1 rebounds
Kansas guard Elijah Johnson puts up a floater over Oklahoma State guard Marcus Smart during the second half on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013 at Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater, Oklahoma. by Nick Krug
Kevin Young, 7.8 points, 6.8 rebounds
Kansas forward Kevin Young gets a rebound against Kansas State during the first half on Monday February 11, 2013 in Allen Fieldhouse. by Richard Gwin
3 memorable moments
No. 1 — Perfect storm: Elijah Johnson buries ISU with 39 points
Kansas players Travis Releford and Jeff Withey (5) get up close and personal with Elijah Johnson after Johnson hit a long three in overtime against Iowa State on Monday, Feb. 25, 2013 at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa. by Nick Krug
- Point guard Elijah Johnson exploded for 39 points (30 after halftime), carrying Kansas to a 109-96 overtime win at Iowa State. He scored 25 of KU's final 36 points after the Cyclones built a seven-point lead with more than five minutes to play.
“Wilt had some good games, but this will go down as one of the best games any guard has played at Kansas. I’ve never had a guy make every play in a game like that down the stretch. He was huge. He was the best player in the country. I’ve never had a guy get 30 in a half.”
— Bill Self
No. 2 — Calling his shot?: McLemore's banked-in 3 saves KU in 97-89 OT win
- Ben McLemore hit 6 of 6 three-pointers on his way to 33 points in the Big 12 opener. He banked in his fifth trey just in time to send the home game against Iowa State to overtime, and the Jayhawks prevailed, 97-89.
“I mean when it left my hand, I actually called, 'bank,'" said McLemore, who scored 33 points — two off the freshman record of 35 set by Danny Manning against Oklahoma State in 1985. "The way it left my hand, I knew it was going to hit the backboard. It was a good release. It went in, so I'm glad."
— Ben McLemore
No. 3 — Mr. Big Shot: Naadir Tharpe's field goal puts KU on top
- Naadir Tharpe only scored four points and hit two shots in 31 minutes, but he made the biggest basket of the night — a short, go-ahead jumper late in double overtime — to help the Jayhawks win, 68-67, at Oklahoma State, and avenge a home loss to OSU.
“A lot of people don’t believe in me. (Self) does."
— Naadir Tharpe
2013 BIG 12 STANDINGS
Kansas, 14-4
Kansas State, 14-4
Oklahoma State, 13-5
Oklahoma, 12-7
Iowa State, 11-7
Baylor, 9-9
Texas, 7-11
West Virginia, 6-13
Texas Tech, 3-15
TCU, 2-16
10 years of Big 12 supremacy
Friday: 2013 and 2014
10 years of Big 12 supremacy: 2012
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.
2012
Big 12 record: 16-2
Top 5 scorers:
Thomas Robinson, 17.7 points, 11.9 rebounds, 1.1 steals
Kansas forward Thomas Robinson delivers a dunk before Kansas State players Thomas Gipson (42) and Jamar Samuels (32) during the second half on Monday, Feb. 13, 2012 at Bramlage Coliseum. by Nick Krug
Tyshawn Taylor, 16.6 points, 4.8 assists, 1.3 steals
Kansas guard Tyshawn Taylor passes through a trap by Oklahoma State defenders Markel Brown, left, and Brian Williams during the second half on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012 at Allen Fieldhouse. by Nick Krug
Elijah Johnson, 10.2 points, 3.5 assists, 3.2 rebounds, 1.4 steals
Elijah Johnson (15) breaks free down the middle for a layup during the second half of the Jayhawks 66-58 win over the Aggies of Texas A&M, Wednesday, February 22, 2012, in College Station, TX. Johnson scored a team high 21 points. by Mike Yoder
Jeff Withey, 9.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.6 blocks
Jeff Withey gets a hand on a shot by Baylor forward Perry Jones. by Richard Gwin
Travis Releford, 8.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.2 steals
Kansas guard Travis Releford defends a shot from Iowa State guard Scott Christopherson during the second half on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012 at Hilton Coliseum. by Nick Krug
3 memorable moments
No. 1 — Kansas claims epic win in Border War finale
- Kansas ended its longstanding Border War with Missouri with a thrilling, 87-86 overtime victory in front of a hysterical Allen Fieldhouse crowd. Down 19 to their rivals early in the second half, the Jayhawks came back to life in the closing minutes to clinch at least a share of an eighth consecutive Big 12 title. Forward Thomas Robinson (28 points, 12 rebounds) saved the day with a three-point play on offense and a blocked shot for the ages in the final seconds of regulation.
“I’m not the most emotional guy, but that’s as good as it gets. It’s as exciting of a game as I’ve ever been part of. It’s the best home win I can remember us having."
— Bill Self
No. 2 — CELEBR-EIGHT: Kansas clinches outright crown
Kansas forward Thomas Robinson carries out the Big 12 Trophy after KU defeated Oklahoma State, 70-58, on Monday, Feb. 25, 2012, at Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater, Okla. by Richard Gwin
- Tyshawn Taylor and Thomas Robinson combined for 44 points in a 70-58 Kansas victory at Oklahoma State that sealed the Jayhawks' eighth straight Big 12 title outright.
“We knew what we had before we hit the floor (this season), before the whole world saw it. I knew our guys weren’t scared to work hard. Proving ourselves to people was motivation to us. I think it had everything to do with it, to prove to everybody we could come back and defend our title.”
— Thomas Robinson
No. 3 — Emotional rescue: KU, Thomas Robinson hold it together, edge Texas
- On the one-year anniversary of the death of his mother, Lisa, Thomas Robinson helped Kansas win, 69-66, at Texas, where he produced 17 points and nine rebounds, and Tyshawn Taylor led KU with 22 points.
“I wouldn’t say it was too emotional. No disrespect or anything, but that’s something I have to live with every day. For the media, it’s the anniversary, but for me it’s every day.”
— Thomas Robinson
2012 BIG 12 STANDINGS
Kansas, 16-2
Missouri, 14-4
Baylor, 12-6
Iowa State, 12-6
Kansas State, 10-8
Texas, 9-9
Oklahoma State, 7-11
Oklahoma, 5-13
Texas A&M, 4-14
Texas Tech, 1-17
10 years of Big 12 supremacy
Thursday: 2011 and 2012
Friday: 2013 and 2014
