10 years of Big 12 supremacy: 2007
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.
2007
Big 12 record: 14-2
Top 5 scorers:
Brandon Rush (so., G), 13.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists
photo by: Nick Krug
Kansas guard Brandon Rush pumps his fist during the first half of Saturday's game against the Longhorns at Allen Fieldhouse.
Mario Chalmers (so., G), 12.2 points, 3.3 assists, 3.0 rebounds, 2.6 steals
photo by: Thad Allender
Kansas' Mario Chalmers lays one in against Iowa State on Saturday at Allen Fieldhouse.
Julian Wright (so., F), 12.0 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists
photo by: Nick Krug
Kansas forward Julian Wright chases down a loose ball as Kansas State guard Clem Stewart watches from the floor in the second half.
Darrell Arthur (fr., F), 9.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.5 blocks
photo by: Nick Krug
Kansas forward Darrell Arthur looks to put back a rebound around Kansas State guard Lance Harris during the second half of Monday night's game against the Wildcats at Bramlage Coliseum.
Sherron Collins (fr., G), 9.3 points, 2.9 assists
photo by: Nick Krug
Kansas guard Sherron Collins glides in for an easy layup as Missouri guard Keon Lawrence watches during the second half of Saturday's game against the Tigers at Mizzou Arena.
3 memorable moments
No. 1 — 1900: OUTRIGHT!: Jayhawks celebrate title win
photo by: Nick Krug
Kansas University basketball players hoist their newly-earned Big 12 regular season title trophy. The Jayhawks defeated Texas in March 2007 to take the regular season title outright and notch the program's 1,900th victory.
• The Jayhawks cut down the net at Allen Fieldhouse following a 90-86, comeback victory over Texas that clinched the Jayhawks’ title outright. Kevin Durant scored 25 of his 32 points in the first half, and KU trailed by eight at the break. But Mario Chalmers made all five of his three-pointers on the way to 21 points, and Julian Wright and Russell Robinson added 17 apiece in the 1,900th victory in program history.
“It was a great stage, a perfect
setup. You win, you win the outright
Big 12 at home in front of all the
fans against a team that’s hot with a
great player. We had to take
advantage. No way we could let it
slide and share it with two teams.”— Russell Robinson
No. 2 — Oh, happy day: Reunion, rout lead to fun-filled fieldhouse
• With members of KU’s 1952 national championship team, including legendary North Carolina coach Dean Smith, watching at Allen Fieldhouse, Kansas destroyed Nebraska, 92-39, with Brandon Rush (13 points), Darrell Arthur (13), Sherron Collins (12), Mario Chalmers (10) and Julian Wright (10) all contributing double figures.
“When I had a chance to meet with
Coach Smith yesterday, I said, ‘Did
you ever have a bad practice the day
before a game?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ He
said, ‘A lot of people think if you
practice bad, you play better. I don’t
believe in that.’ So he had me pretty
worried going into today.”— Bill Self
No. 3 — Rush hushes Hilton: Great late, Kansas silences Cyclones in OT
• Brandon Rush hit crucial shots late and played a key defensive role to help Kansas win, 68-64, in overtime at Iowa State. Rush finished with 12 points and nine rebounds after producing four of the Jayhawks’ 10 points in the extra period.
“If you study the game, Iowa State was
going to win the game until Brandon
guarded No. 24 (Mike Taylor). You
never say one guy wins or loses a
game, but Brandon did an unbelievable
job on No. 24 Then the shot (dunk) he
made off Mario’s pass and then the
steal. That was Brandon Rush in
overtime.”— Bill Self
2007 BIG 12 STANDINGS
Kansas, 14-2
Texas A&M, 13-3
Texas, 12-4
Kansas State, 10-6
Texas Tech, 9-7
Missouri, 7-9
Oklahoma State, 6-10
Iowa State, 6-10
Oklahoma, 6-10
Nebraska, 6-10
Baylor, 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