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](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/a89a0c15d1cd469910f92138f039b202e59264ee91a2f59f5855eb1304b4f3d0.jpg)
The Journey to 13 Straight
Title Number Two: 2005-2006 Season, title shared with Texas
Two seasons before the shot heard round Lawrence, Mario Chalmers was just a freshman.
Another freshman who, as of Wednesday, is now forever dedicated to the rafters of Phog Allen Fieldhouse was Brandon Rush.
Unranked in the preseason polls, Kansas would have to fight hard to reach relevance after losing key senior players. They would see opportunities early to support their resume with a neutral court game against tenth ranked Arizona.
Unfortunately, they would drop the Maui Invitational game against the Wildcats by 12 points. After a few more games of missed opportunities, the Jayhawks would finally break the Top 25 in the AP poll on Valentine’s Day with a win against the 19th ranked Oklahoma Sooners.
Kansas would end the AP poll ranked 12th in the nation and go on a tear to capture a Big 12 Tournament Championship. After losing to Texas in the regular season in blowout fashion, Kansas would beat those same Longhorns in the Big 12 championship by double digits.
Entering further into the postseason, Kansas would earn a four-seed in the NCAA Tournament and lose yet again in the first round. The Bradley Braves of the Missouri Valley Conference would shock the Jayhawks for a four-point win ending their season.