10 years of Big 12 supremacy: 2008
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
photo by: Nick Krug
Mario Chalmers (jr., G), 12.8 points, 4.3 assists, 3.1 rebounds, 2.5 steals
photo by: Nick Krug
Darrell Arthur (so., F), 12.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.3 blocks
photo by: Thad Allender
Darnell Jackson (sr., F), 11.2 points, 6.7 rebounds
photo by: Nick Krug
Sherron Collins (so., G), 9.3 points, 3.1 assits
photo by: Nick Krug
3 memorable moments
No. 1 — Four-for-four!: KU clinches share of league crown
photo 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