The BIAH Advent Calendar: Day 14

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. 12:


2005: West Virginia vs. Louisville: John Beilein's upstart West Virginia team, led by the likes of Kevin Pittsnoggle and Mike Gansey, were on fire in the first half. They hit 10 of their 18 threes (on just 14 attempts) in the first 20 minutes and made 11 of thier first 16 shots overall, opening up a 20 point lead at one point, which Louisville trimmed to 13 at the break.

But the Cardinals changed their game plan in the second half. Instead of using their usual 2-3 zone, Rick Pitino's team started pressing and trapping all over the court, and it worked. A couple times Louisville got within striking distance, but it wasn't until a Larry O'Bannon lay-up, two of his team-high 24 points, with 38 seconds left tied the score at 77 that the Cardinals made it all the way back. It was the first time the game was tied since 3-3.

Louisville celebrates their comeback win over West Virginia.
(photo credit: NCBSports)

Both teams missed a shot at the end of regulation, and in the extra period, the Mountaineers shots stopped falling. Louisville would end up winning 93-85, making Rick Pitino the first men's coach to take three teams to the Final Four.


Stephen Curry, Davidson: Curry was a star in the making as a freshman at Davidson, as he averaged 21.5 ppg on the season, putting 30 on Maryland in the Wildcat's first round NCAA Tournament loss. As a sophomore, he was just as prolific scoring the ball, averaging 25.5 ppg despite being the focal point of every team's defensive scheme.

It was the 2008 NCAA Tournament that Curry became a national media darling. The kid who looked not a day over 15 led Davidson within two points of a Final Four trip in one of the greatest individual performances of all-time. In the first round against Gonzaga, Curry scored 30 second half points (40 on the game) and hit 8-10 threes as the Wildcats came back from an 11 point second half deficit for the win. Two days later, Curry led Davidson with 30 points, 25 in the second half, as the Wildcats overcame a 17 point second half deficit to advance to the Sweet 16. In the Sweet 16, Curry went for 33 points as Davidson beat the third seeded Wisconsin Badgers by 17, setting up a date with Kansas for a trip to the Final Four. Curry had 25 against the Jayhawks, but missed a couple shots late as Davidson lost. In that 2008 Tournament, Curry became just the fourth player to go for 30+ in his first four games, set the NCAA's single season three point record, and became the first player in 14 years to win a regional MOP despite his team not winning the region.

In his third and final collegiate season, Curry was a consensus all-american, but his supporting cast was no where near as good as in 2008. In fact, there was even a game against Loyola MD where Curry was face-guarded by two players throughout the game, allowing the rest of the players to play 4-on-3. Curry went scoreless, but Davidson won. Davidson would lose in the Southern conference tournament, sending Curry to the NIT.




2008 UCLA Bruins: The third year of UCLA's three straight Final Four was probably the Bruins best team. As any Ben Howland team is, the 2008 Bruins were a force defensively. It started up front with Darren Collison and Russell Westbrook, who absolutely terrorized Pac-10 point guards with their quickness and athleticism. It didn't hurt having players like Josh Shipp and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute either, as both of were big, strong kids that could play multiple positions.

But the focal point of this team was Kevin Love. Love was a monster on the block. He could rebound the ball, he could score in the post, he was one of the best I've seen at establishing and holding position on both ends of the floor, but his most impressive attribute was his outlet passing ability. He was able to throw a chest pass the length of the floor with damn near pinpoint precision, a valuable skill to have with guys like Westbrook and Collison running the floor.

Westbrook's thunderous dunks were a large part of UCLA's success.
(photo credit: Pac-10 Rivalry)

UCLA wouldn't win a national title as they lost to Memphis in the national semifinals, but they did win 35 games while bringing home Pac-10 regular season and tournament titles en route to a #1 seed in the tournament.


No. 13: Gonzaga v. Arizona, Kevin Durant, and Florida's 2006 Team
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.