The BIAH Advent Calendar: Day 8

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. 18:


2002: Duke vs. Indiana: Duke came into this Sweet 16 match-up as the tournament favorite. They were the reigning national champs, 29-3 on the season, and a #1 seed coming off of another ACC Tournament title. For the first 11 minutes, they played like it. The Blue Devils jumped out to a 29-12 lead, scoring 19 points off of Indiana turnovers.

But the Hoosiers defense would tighten up, holding Duke to just 33% shooting in the second half. Indiana would continue to chip away at the lead until Tom Coverdale tied the game with two free throws at the 1:54 mark. After an empty Duke possession, Coverdale hit a baseline jumper to give the Hoosiers the lead with under a minute to play. Daniel Ewing missed a three at the other end, and the Blue Devils were forced to foul. AJ Moye hit both free throws to take a four point lead with 11.1 seconds left. Jason Williams took the ball the other direction, and buried a three while drawing a foul with just 4.3 seconds left on the clock. But Williams, who was just a 67% shooter from the line, had built a reputation for missing big free throws in losses to Florida State and Virginia. It would be the same on this night as Williams missed the free throw that would have tied the game, and IU held on to win 74-73.


Mateen Cleaves, Michigan State: Cleaves was the centerpiece for the Michigan State teams of the late 90's. While he was named an AP all-american three times (first team twice), won two Big Ten player of the year awards, and won a Final Four MOP, Cleaves was known for being a guy that came up big in big spots.

Mateen Cleaves came back from a twisted ankle to help carry MSU to the national title in 2000.
(photo credit: AP)

Cleaves was never the most talented guy or the best player on the floor, but he was a leader, a competitor, and a winner. Case in point: early in the second half of Michigan State's title game win over Florida, Cleaves was playing sensational. He had 18 points in the first 22 minutes of the game, but he landed awkwardly on a drive to the rim, rolling his ankle over. MSU was up six at this point, and Cleaves was headed to the locker room. But he reemerged with the ankle heavily taped, getting back on the court and leading MSU to their first national title in 21 years. And he did it without recording a point or an assist the rest of the way.

That's the type of player Cleaves was. He didn't need to put up huge numbers, but there have been few point guards this decade that a coach would have taken over Cleaves.


2006 Gonzaga Bulldogs: Gonzaga's 2006 season was one for the ages. Headlined by Adam Morrison, it seemed like every time Gonzaga took the floor, they played an instant classic (four of their games this season made our top 25 of all-time list).

Gonzaga had been in the national spotlight for a six or seven years, and up to this point had yet to duplicate the success they had in the 1999 tournament that put their program on the map. This season seemed like the year that would change. They had some big wins in non-conference play, beating Maryland, Michigan State, and Stanford, among other, while losing heart breakers to Washington and UConn. With Morrison teaming up with PG Derek Raivio and C JP Batista, the Zags had a 1-2-3 combination that could match-up with anyone.

You may have hated Adam Morrison, but you could not argue with the kids competitiveness and desire to win.
(photo credit: Photo Bucket)

30 minutes into their Sweet 16 game against UCLA, it looked like Gonzaga was finally going to make another Elite 8. But an epic collapse and the sight of Adam Morrison sobbing on the court will be the lasting images of what was one of the best teams of the decade.


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.