The BIAH Advent Calendar: Day 13

Yup, it is December. And as the temperatures outside drop, the heat is rising on college campuses across the country as basketball season kicks into full swing. But December is also a time to reflect on the past year. This December is special, because as we draw closer to the new year, we get closer to the end of the aughts. In the spirit of the holidays, we are going to celebrate the decade past by counting down the top 25 games, players, and teams of the last 10 years with the BIAH advent calender. Each day, we will be unveiling the next on each of our lists, culminating with our gift to you on Christmas Day: the best game, the best player, and the best team of the 2000's.

Here is No. 13:


2003: Gonzaga vs. Arizona: This game took place when Gonzaga was yet to be considered a national powerhouse, which meant that the tiny school from Spokane competing with Arizona, who was considered an overwhelming favorite not just in the game, but to win the entire NCAA Tournament, was all the more impressive.

This was one of the most exciting games I've ever watched, which means there is no possible way for me to put the excitement and the drama into words. After Jason Gardner missed one of two free throws, Tony Skinner scored two of his career-high 25 points on a putback off of a missed Blake Stepp three to tie the game and force overtime. Arizona took an 87-84 lead in the first OT, but a Blake Stepp three tied it. After a jump ball, Gonzaga scored on the inbounds play to take a lead, but Luke Walton tied it up and forced the second overtime. Salim Stoudamire hit a three to put Arizona up 94-93, but Skinner answered with two free throws to give the Zags the lead back. But Stoudmire hit a floater with 2:09 left in the game to give Arizona a 96-95 lead, and no one else would score the rest of the way. Gonzaga missed four shots in the last two minutes, including an open jumper from Skinner and a five foot bank shot by Stepp off the rebound at the buzzer.

Arizona celebrates after surviving Gonzaga in the 2003 second round.
(photo credit: Reuters)

To get a feel for how good this game was, and if you have 25 minutes to spare, you can watch the last 10 minutes of regulation and the overtimes by going here.


Kevin Durant, Texas: Kevin Durant played just one season of college basketball, but that season was easily one of the most impressive of the decade. Durant averaged 25.8 ppg and 11.1 rpg as he was named national player of the year by basically everyone relevant outlet, but it was during Big XII play that Durant really broke out. During the conference season, Durant averaged 28.9 ppg and 12.5 rpg, including a 37 point (one of four games he scored 37 points in a game), 23 rebound performance against Texas Tech and a 29 point, 13 rebound game against Baylor in which he scored 24 second half points as the Longhorns overcame a 20 point deficit in the Big XII tournament.



Texas started four freshman in '06-'07, which was a large part of the reason that the Longhorns were knocked out in the second round of the tournament despite having DJ Augustin and Damion James on the roster with Durant. It was widely noted that head coach Rick Barnes rarely called out plays for his team, instead relying on his players to get the ball to Durant and allowing his natural talent to take over. Makes his numbers all the more impressive, doesn't it?


2006 Florida Gators: In 2006, Florida was unranked in the preseason, and rightfully so. After losing their top three scorers - Matt Walsh, Anthony Roberson, and David Lee - off of a 24 win team, the Gators leading returning scorer was Corey Brewer at 7.5 ppg. With a group of inexperienced sophomores leading Florida, not much was expected from Florida, and it stayed that way until a trip to New York for the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic. Florida would knock off both Wake Forest and Syracuse, and would continue to win their next 13 games, opening the season 17-0 and shooting up to 2nd in the national polls.

Florida went from unranked to the national title in 2006.
(photo credit: USA Today)

Florida struggled down the stretch of the season, losing six of their final 13 games, but they rolled through the SEC Tournament. During the NCAA Tournament, the Gators dominated, with their only true test coming in the Sweet 16 against Georgetown. The most impressive part? After winning the title, Corey Brewers, Joakim Noah, and Al Horford all decided to return to college for their junior season, despite their post-season performance shooting them up NBA Draft boards.


No. 14: UConn v. Duke, Joakim Noah, and Duke's 2002 teamNo. 15: Oklahoma State v. St. Joe's, Chris Paul, and UConn's 2006 team
No. 16: Gonzaga v. Oklahoma State, Ty Lawson, and Kentucky's 2003 team
No. 17: Duke v. Maryland in the 2001 Final Four, Deron Williams, and Gonzaga's 2006 team
No. 18: Duke v. Indiana, Mateen Cleaves, Gonzaga
No. 19: Syracuse v. Kansas, Dwyane Wade, UCLA's 2006 team
No. 20: Pitt v. Villanova, Michael Beasley, and Duke's 2004 team
No. 21: Duke vs. Maryland in the 2001 ACC Semis, Josh Howard, Arizona's 2001 team
No. 22: Marquette v. Kentucky, Tayshaun Prince, UConn's 2009 team
No. 23: Vermont v. Syracuse, Andrew Bogut, and Memphis's 2008 team.
No. 24: UConn v. Miami, Luke Harangody, and Kansas's 2003 team
No. 25: Drake v. Western Kentucky, Wayne Simien, and Louisville's 2009 team.