10 years of Big 12 supremacy: 2012
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
photo by: Nick Krug
Tyshawn Taylor, 16.6 points, 4.8 assists, 1.3 steals
photo by: Nick Krug
Elijah Johnson, 10.2 points, 3.5 assists, 3.2 rebounds, 1.4 steals
photo by: Mike Yoder
Jeff Withey, 9.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.6 blocks
photo by: Richard Gwin
Travis Releford, 8.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.2 steals
photo 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
photo 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