10 years of Big 12 supremacy: 2013
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’ve been 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.
2013
Big 12 record: 14-4, tied for 1st with Kansas State
Top 5 scorers:
Ben McLemore, 15.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists
photo by: Nick Krug
Kansas guard Ben McLemore elevates to the bucket before an intentional foul from Kansas State forward Jordan Henriquez during the first half on Monday, Feb. 11, 2013.
Jeff Withey, 13.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3.9 blocks
photo by: Nick Krug
Kansas center Jeff Withey comes in for a jam against Oklahoma Jan. 26 at Allen Fieldhouse. This photo was taken using a remote camera with a wide-angle lens placed behind the glass of the backboard.
Travis Releford, 11.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.3 steals
photo by: Nick Krug
Kansas guard Travis Releford lays in a bucket on a break against Texas Christian during the first half on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013 at Allen Fieldhouse.
Elijah Johnson, 9.9 points, 4.6 assists, 3.1 rebounds
photo by: Nick Krug
Kansas guard Elijah Johnson puts up a floater over Oklahoma State guard Marcus Smart during the second half on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013 at Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
Kevin Young, 7.8 points, 6.8 rebounds
photo by: Richard Gwin
Kansas forward Kevin Young gets a rebound against Kansas State during the first half on Monday February 11, 2013 in Allen Fieldhouse.
3 memorable moments
No. 1 — Perfect storm: Elijah Johnson buries ISU with 39 points
photo by: Nick Krug
Kansas players Travis Releford and Jeff Withey (5) get up close and personal with Elijah Johnson after Johnson hit a long three in overtime against Iowa State on Monday, Feb. 25, 2013 at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa.
• Point guard Elijah Johnson exploded for 39 points (30 after halftime), carrying Kansas to a 109-96 overtime win at Iowa State. He scored 25 of KU’s final 36 points after the Cyclones built a seven-point lead with more than five minutes to play.
“Wilt had some good games, but this
will go down as one of the best games
any guard has played at Kansas. I’ve
never had a guy make every play in a
game like that down the stretch. He
was huge. He was the best player in
the country. I’ve never had a guy get
30 in a half.”— Bill Self
No. 2 — Calling his shot?: McLemore’s banked-in 3 saves KU in 97-89 OT win
• Ben McLemore hit 6 of 6 three-pointers on his way to 33 points in the Big 12 opener. He banked in his fifth trey just in time to send the home game against Iowa State to overtime, and the Jayhawks prevailed, 97-89.
“I mean when it left my hand, I
actually called, ‘bank,'” said
McLemore, who scored 33 points — two
off the freshman record of 35 set by
Danny Manning against Oklahoma State
in 1985. “The way it left my hand, I
knew it was going to hit the
backboard. It was a good release. It
went in, so I’m glad.”— Ben McLemore
No. 3 — Mr. Big Shot: Naadir Tharpe’s field goal puts KU on top
• Naadir Tharpe only scored four points and hit two shots in 31 minutes, but he made the biggest basket of the night — a short, go-ahead jumper late in double overtime — to help the Jayhawks win, 68-67, at Oklahoma State, and avenge a home loss to OSU.
“A lot of people don’t believe in me.
(Self) does.”— Naadir Tharpe
2013 BIG 12 STANDINGS
Kansas, 14-4
Kansas State, 14-4
Oklahoma State, 13-5
Oklahoma, 12-7
Iowa State, 11-7
Baylor, 9-9
Texas, 7-11
West Virginia, 6-13
Texas Tech, 3-15
TCU, 2-16
10 years of Big 12 supremacy
Friday: 2013 and 2014