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KANSAN.COM/SPORTS | THURSDAY, FEB. 23, 2017
CONFERENCE KINGS
Junior guard Devonte' Graham celebrates Kansas' 13th straight Big 12 title after defeating TCU on Feb. 22.
Missy Minear/KANSAN
BRIAN MINI
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on any other night,
individual scoring
outbursts, a jersey
retirement or a one-handed dunk by a projected toppthree NBA Draft pick would have been the biggest story.
Instead, the main story was the same thing college basketball fans have seen for a record-tying 13 years in a row. Kansas won the Big 12 Conference.
Despite carrying just a one-point lead into halftime, Kansas' offense came alive in the second half leading to a 87-68 win against TCU.
"We made an adjustment at halftime and coaches kept preaching, 'Energy, energy, come out with energy. First five minutes you got to put that foot on their throat." junior guard Devonte' Graham said after the game.
The 19-point win was Kansas' biggest in conference play and its largest margin of victory since December 22 against UNLV.
On the night of his 22nd birthday, Graham momentarily took the season-long
spotlight away from senior guard Frank Mason III with a 20-point, seven-assist game.
“It's definitely a special thing,” Graham said. “I'm glad we could get the win on my birthday and just being around these guys and being in Allen Fieldhouse with all the fans. Then winning 13 straight, I couldn't ask for a better day.”
The National Player of the Year candidate wasn't overlooked for long as Mason still finished with 20 points and four assists.
After the game, Jackson said that he had twisted his ankle a couple of days ago in practice, but feels better now.
A nervous hush fell over the crowd as freshman guard Josh Jackson went down with what looked like an ankle injury with less than 12 minutes to go in the first half. He'd end up returning after five minutes of game time and promptly hit a three-pointer.
"I'm pretty happy with our season and where we are right now," Jackson said. The freshman star also said he's the "type of guy
who likes to win more than do anything else."
The Big 12 trophy presentation wasn't the only historical event on Wednesday night. At halftime, Kansas retired the No. 25 jersey of NCAA champion and third-team All-American Brandon Rush.
"I'm happy," Rush said at the presentation. "This is the biggest day of my life."
Rush ranks 24th in career scoring at Kansas and his 43.5 three-point percentage is currently 4th best in school history.
In the second half. Jackson would provide one of the games many highlights with a one-handed alley-oop finish after a Graham tip off the rebound and a Mason assist. Jackson finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds.
"It was pretty nice," Jackson said. "I started to
Former championship teammates Mario Chalmer and Brady Morningstar were also in attendance for the ceremony.
Rush thanked coach Bill Self and signed off with a "Rock Chalk" to a standing ovation from the sold-out Allen Fieldhouse crowd.
dunk it with two hands, but gave the crowd a little show."
Prior to the game, Kansas was expected, at least by the Vegas prediction, to win by double digits. What was unexpected was sophomore forward Carlton Bragg Jr.'s impact on the game.
The struggling sophomore had two loud putback dunks in the first half and finished with 15 points, seven rebounds and three blocks. He also played 22 minutes, his most since Nov.18 in the third game of the season.
"The last couple days of practice, he he's been shooting the ball really well," Graham said. "We're trying to instill that confidence in him. He's a key player. Coach keeps telling him that. We need him in order to be successful down the road. He's got that confidence."
Kansas' shooting kept them in the game, even when turnovers held the team back and foul trouble limited Jackson and senior center Landen Lucas, who had seven points and six rebounds despite only playing 17 minutes.
As a team, the Jayhawks shot 48 percent from the floor and an efficient 44 percent from three, which is just above their season average.
After the game, the crowd was treated to a video highlighting the past 13 years including former players like Andrew Wiggins, Jamari Traylor, Brandon Rush and Thomas Robinson, among others.
When the video concluded, Self and his team posed for picture with the trophy. Mason, wearing a "13 Straight" t-shirt and hat, addressed the crowd.
"Thank you Jayhawk Nation for all your support," he said to the crowd. "We still got more to come and we're just thankful to have a great coach to lead the way for us. We appreciate you guys."
The 13-straight conference championships tied UCLA's record that was started by Basketball Hall of Fame coach John Wooden. After the game, Self was quick to dismiss the comparison.
"Let's put it in perspective," Self said. "They won 10 national championships
in 12 years, and we won one in 13."
Self, who late last week was named as a finalist for the Naismith Hall of Fame, moved ahead of Mark Few's 2001-2011 Gonzaga teams last year and now matches the UCLA teams from 1967-1979.
For some, like freshmen forwards Mitch Lightfoot and Udoka Azubuike, this is their first taste of a conference championship. For others like senior guard Tyler Self and Lucas, this is their fifth ring of their Kansas careers.
"I think every year is special," Mason said about his fourth and final Big 12 championship. "I'm just glad I was able to be part of all four years. Like I said, I'm proud of my teammates, coaching staff and the fans for the unbelievable energy they bring every night."
Kansas will be back in action against Texas in Austin on Saturday.
Edited by Allison Crist
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