The BIAH Advent Calendar: Day 7

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. 19:


2003: Syracuse vs. Kansas: Syracuse was in firm control on the 2003 national title game for most of the 40 minutes. Kansas took a 3-2 in the first minute of the game, but that would be the last lead for Kansas. Syracuse built a big first half lead on the strength of six first half threes from a freshman named Gerry McNamara and 13 points from another freshman named Carmelo Anthony. Syracuse was up by as much as 18, but a 13-6 spurt at the end of the half by the Jayhawks cut the lead to 53-42.

Kansas would continue their surge at the start of the second half, going on a 14-4 run in the first four minutes to cut the Orange lead to 57-54. But Syracuse would respond by pushing their back to double digits, taking a 76-64 lead on a Josh Pace bucket with about five minutes left. That's when the excitement started. Over the next four minutes, Kansas would chip away at the Syracuse lead, going on a 13-4 run, capped by a Michael Lee lay-up with 1:00 left on the clock to make it 80-77. After Jeff Graves and Kueth Duany traded free throws, Kirk Hinrich missed a decent look at a three with 18 seconds left. Hakim Warrick grabbed the board and was fouled, but missed free throws, setting up one of the greatest plays in Syracuse history.



Hinrich would airball a three on the final possession and Jim Boeheim would win his first national title and solidify his standing as a hall of famer.


Dwyane Wade, Marquette: D-Wade led the resurgence of the Marquette basketball program. Wade was a Prop 48 kid coming out of high school, meaning he was ineligible to play his first season. After getting his grades up, Wade came back and ended up being Marquette's best player as he absolutely stuffed the stat sheet to the tune of 17.8 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 3.4 apg, 2.5 spg, and 1.1 bpg. Marquette finished 26-7, their best record since '93-'94.

Wade was a first team all-american in 2003.
(photo credit: ESPN)

As a junior, Wade was even better. He was named first-team all-american, the first Marquette to earn that honor since 1978, as he averaged 21.5 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 4.4 apg, 2.2 spg, and 1.1 bpg. Marquette finished the season at 27-6 with the school's first and only Conference USA title. The Golden Eagles also reached their first Final Four since 1977 as Wade had one of the greatest individual performances in college basketball history in the Elite 8. He went for 29 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists, and 4 steals as Marquette beat Kentucky, who was an overwhelming favorite to reach the Final Four.


2006 UCLA Bruins: In 2006, the UCLA Bruins were led by an excellent back court of Jordan Farmar and Aaron Afflalo. After winning 32 games en route to a Pac-10 regular season and tournament title, the Bruins struggled in their second round tournament game against Alabama, before needing a miraculous comeback against Gonzaga to even get out of the Sweet 16 (more on that game on a later day). After holding Memphis and LSU to a combined 90 points, the Bruins earned the right to lose to Florida in the first of the Gators back-to-back titles.


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.