KUsports.com graphic by Janella Williams

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.

2006

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

Top 5 scorers:

Brandon Rush (fr., G), 13.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists

photo by: Nick Krug

Walking off the court during a timeout Kansas guard Brandon Rush throws his fists in the air before the Cowboy fans as the Jayhawks begin to run away with the game, Monday night at Gallagher-Iba Arena.

Mario Chalmers (fr., G), 11.5 points, 3.8 assists, 2.7 steals

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas guard Mario Chalmers drives around Baylor defender Curtis Jerrells in the first half.

Russell Robinson (so., G), 9.3 points, 4.6 assists, 3.1 rebounds

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas guard Russell Robinson drives in to the bucket against Missouri defender Kalen Grimes in the second half.

Julian Wright (fr., F), 8.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.3 blocks

Kansas guard Julian Wright takes his time coming down from the rim after a late second-half dunk during the Oklahoma game.

Sasha Kaun (so., C), 8.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.1 blocks

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas center Sasha Kaun puts a shot up against Baylor defeners Tim Bush, left, and Mamadou Diene in the first half of play.

3 memorable moments

No. 1 — Champs!*: KU clinches share of title with victory over ‘Cats

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas guard Julian Wright celebrates with head coach Bill Self as the Jayhawks make their way from the court after defeating Kansas State 66-52 Saturday at Bramlage Colliseum.

• On the final day of the regular season, the young Jayhawks won, 66-52, at Kansas State to secure a share of the Big 12 championship as Brandon Rush scored 24 points.

“It was the happiest locker room we’ve
had this year,” Self said, adding, “I
love this team. This (title) is
sweeter than any others we’ve had
because we started out 1-2. We were
not very good. I take more pride in a
team that is not expected to do it
than one that is expected to win.”

— Bill Self

No. 2 — KU completes improbable comeback: Jayhawks rally from 16 down to win, 59-58

• Mid-way through the second half, Kansas trailed Oklahoma, 50-34, before storming back to earn the young Jayhawks one of their tougher wins of the season. Brandon Rush scored 12 of his 18 points in the final 20 minutes.

“People on ESPN have been talking;
‘Kansas can’t win in the close games,.
Hopefully, they will get off our backs
a little bit. I think we earned a lot
of respect by beating one of the
toughest teams in the league.”

— Mario Chalmers

No. 3 — They’re grrrrreat!: Jayhawks ‘kick ’em in the teeth,’ avenge setback

• After losing in overtime at rival Missouri earlier in the season, Kansas dominated the rematch, a 79-46 drubbing at Allen Fieldhouse, led by the balanced scoring attack of Mario Chalmers (14), Brandon Rush (13) and Russell Robinson (10).

“Some of their players were talking a
little junk on us. One of my friends
down there read in the paper what they
said. I told my teammates we were
going to murder them for saying stuff
like that.”

— Brandon Rush

2006 BIG 12 STANDINGS

Kansas, 13-3

Texas, 13-3

Oklahoma, 11-5

Texas A&M, 10-6

Colorado, 9-7

Nebraska, 7-9

Oklahoma State, 6-10

Texas Tech, 6-10

Kansas State, 6-10

Iowa State, 6-10

Missouri, 5-11

Baylor, 4-12