10 years of Big 12 supremacy: 2012

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.

2012

Big 12 record: 16-2

Top 5 scorers:

Thomas Robinson, 17.7 points, 11.9 rebounds, 1.1 steals

photo by: Nick Krug

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.

Tyshawn Taylor, 16.6 points, 4.8 assists, 1.3 steals

photo by: Nick Krug

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.

Elijah Johnson, 10.2 points, 3.5 assists, 3.2 rebounds, 1.4 steals

photo by: Mike Yoder

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.

Jeff Withey, 9.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.6 blocks

photo by: Richard Gwin

Jeff Withey gets a hand on a shot by Baylor forward Perry Jones.

Travis Releford, 8.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.2 steals

photo by: Nick Krug

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.

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

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.

• 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

Monday: 2005 and 2006

Tuesday: 2007 and 2008

Wednesday: 2009 and 2010

Thursday: 2011 and 2012

Friday: 2013 and 2014