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KU Basketball: The Journey to 13 Straight Big 12 Conference Titles

By trevb

Feb 27, 2016; Lawrence, KS, USA; A general view of the previous 11 Big 12 championship trophies displayed on the court after the game between the Kansas Jayhawks and the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Allen Fieldhouse. The Jayhawks won 67-58, winning their twelfth consecutive Big 12 titles. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2016; Lawrence, KS, USA; A general view of the previous 11 Big 12 championship trophies displayed on the court after the game between the Kansas Jayhawks and the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Allen Fieldhouse. The Jayhawks won 67-58, winning their twelfth consecutive Big 12 titles. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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KU basketball’s bench reacts to a play late in the second half against the Austin Peay Governors during the first round of the 2016 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena on March 17, 2016 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
KU basketball’s bench reacts to a play late in the second half against the Austin Peay Governors during the first round of the 2016 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena on March 17, 2016 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

The Journey to Thirteen Straight

Title Number 12: 2015-2016 Season

In an era of freshman-run teams, this squad would be the exception, keeping a similar format to the previous seasons’ roster.

The freshman additions to this season would be Carlton Bragg Jr., Lagerald Vick, and Cheick Diallo. The departures from the previous season would be freshman Kelly Oubre, and freshman Cliff Alexander.

With a preseason ranking in fourth, Kansas would lose its first AP top 25 game early in the season against Michigan State in the Champions Classic and then win the Maui Invitational. During the regular season they would play 12 AP top 25 teams and go 9-3 against them.

They would sweep Oklahoma, the favorite to win the Big 12 league title and dethrone Kansas. In one of the best college basketball games ever played Kansas would have a back and forth battle between Oklahoma at the Phog for a 109-106 triple overtime win.

In the Big 12 Tournament, Kansas would secure a blowout win against Kansas State, a win against Baylor, and a ten point win against West Virginia for the conference tournament crown.

On Selection Sunday, Kansas would be a number one seed in the South region.

They would get one of the deepest runs they have had since the 2012 season, getting to the Elite Eight, where they would lose to eventual champion number two seeded Villanova. Perry Ellis, a staple of consistency the entire season would be shutdown in the Elite Eight

2015-2016 season stats courtesy of SportsReference.com.

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