The BIAH Advent Calendar: Day 22

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. 4:


2002: Duke vs. Maryland: In the early 2000's, Duke-Maryland was one of the best rivalries in the country. Both teams were loaded with NBA talent, both programs won league titles as well as a national title, and it seemed that every time these two squads took the court, it was an instant classic.

Maryland took control on this game late, going up 90-80 with just over a minute left in the game. That's when Jay Williams took over:



That comeback would go down in history as the "Miracle Minute".

In the overtime, the Dukies would hit a number of big baskets, and after hitting 1-2 free throws to five the devils a 98-96 lead with 12 seconds left, Shane Battier would block Juan Dixon at the rim before the Devils dribbled out the clock.


Shane Battier, Duke: Battier was a throw back player for the Dukies. When he first got to campus, he was known as a defensive stopper, a role playing big man that could pass and shoot, and the country's best at drawing a charge. As a sophomore it was more of the same, as Battier still played a role for the '99 Duke team that lost to UConn in the title game.

But with guys like Elton Brand, Trajan Landgon, and William Avery all leaving Duke after the season, Battier became a much more influential player on the offensive. As a junior, Battier not only averaged 17.4 ppg and 5.6 rpg while shooting 44% from three, he also averaged over 2 steals and 2 block per game. Duke would go on to win both ACC title before being knocked out in the Sweet 16 as Battier was named 2nd team all america.

Battier was known for his defense at Duke. This block sealed Duke's win in the "Miracle Minute".
(photo credit: ESPN)

Battier had a fantastic senior season. He averaged 19.9 ppg and 7.3 rpg and was also arguably the best defensive player in the country. Duke once again won the ACC regular season and tournament titles (the 1998 ACC Tournament title was the only conference championship Battier didn't win in his four years in Durham), but also won the 2001 national title. Battier, for his efforts, earned both the Naismith and Wooden awards as well as the 2001 NCAA tournament MOP.


2005 North Carolina Tar Heels: North Carolina in 2005 was led by a trio of juniors - Rashad McCants, Sean May, and Raymond Felton. But after their freshman season, did anyone think a title was within reach for these guys? In their first season, under the tutelage of Matt Doherty, the Heels went just 17-15 before Doherty was basically forced out and Roy Williams was brought in.

Rashad McCants was a big reason why UNC the Heels won the 2005 title.
(photo credit: UNC Athletics)

Even the 2005 season got off to an inauspicious start with a season opening loss to Santa Clara out in Maui. But Roy Williams brought in an excellent freshman named Marvin Williams, and combining those four with experienced role players Jackie Manuel, Jawad Williams, Reyshawn Terry, and David Noel, the Tar Heels won the 2005 ACC regular season title before rolling through the NCAA Tournament and beating Illinois, who had just one loss on the season heading in, in the finals.


No. 5: Michigan State v. Kentucky, Jay Williams, UConn's 2004 team
No. 6: UConn v. George Mason, Emeka Okafor, Illinois's 2005 team
No. 7: Oklahoma State v. Texas, Carmelo Anthony, Michigan State's 2000 team
No. 8: UCLA v. Gonzaga, Jameer Nelson, Maryland's 2002 team
No. 9: Barton v. Winona State, Blake Griffin, St. Joseph's 2004 team
No. 10: West Virginia v. Wake Forest, Juan Dixon, Kansas's 2008 team
No. 11: Kansas v. Memphis, TJ Ford, Syracuse's 2003 team
No. 12: West Virginia v. Louisville, Stephen Curry, and UCLA's 2008 team
No. 13: Gonzaga v. Arizona, Kevin Durant, and Florida's 2006 Team
No. 14: UConn v. Duke, Joakim Noah, and Duke's 2002 team
No. 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.