The BIAH Advent Calendar: Day 9

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. 17:


2001: Duke vs. Maryland in the Final Four: This was the fourth time that Duke and Maryland would meet during the 2001 season. The first three all involved a comeback of more than 10 points. This game would be no different, as Maryland jumped out to a 39-17 lead with 6:57 left in the first half. But, as was the case three times already that season, Duke would come back. It took just four minutes for the Blue Devils to cut the lead in half, and the Terps would head into the half up 49-38.

The Blue Devils would continue to chip away in the second half, three times getting the lead all the way down to one. Then with seven minutes left in the game, Jason Williams, who up until that point was just 3-14 from the field, hit a three to give Duke a 73-72 lead. The two teams would trade baskets for a few possessions before Duke took the lead for good with just over four minutes as two Carlos Boozer free throws made it 78-77.

Carlos Boozer and co. were too much for the Terps, coming back from 22 down in the Final Four.
(photo credit: Juneau Empire)

The Blue Devils would go on to win 95-84 behind 25 points from Shane Battier, the 2001 player of the year, and 23 from Jason Williams. Over the last 27 minutes of the game, Duke outscored Maryland 78-45. The 11 points halftime deficit was the biggest ever for a winning team in the Final Four, and it is believed that the 22 point comeback is the biggest ever in the Final Four. Duke would go on to win the national title.


Deron Williams, Illinois: In the three years that Williams was at Illinois, the Illini had a loaded back court as he joined Luther Head and Dee Brown. But Williams was the best of the three. Standing 6'3" and 205 lb (looking closer to 225), Williams looked more like a full back than a point guard, but boy was he good. Williams was as quick as anyone on the floor, but his strength made it impossible for a point guard to stop him once he got a step. Oh yeah, and not only could he drive by you, but he could hit the three and was as good of a passer as you are going to come across.

There is a reason Deron Williams was picked in front of Chris Paul.
(photo credit: ESPN)

As a freshman, Williams started 30 games and averaged 6.3 ppg and 4.6 apg, good for third in the Big Ten. He exploded as a sophomore, averaging 14.0 ppg and 6.2 apg while being named 1st team all-Big Ten. But it was his junior season that was really impressive. Williams averaged just 12.8 ppg (third on a team with five double digit scorers), but his 6.8 apg led a team that lost their first game of the year in the regular season finale. Illinois would go all the way to the title game, where they lost to UNC.


2001 Arizona Wildcats: Arizona had a tumultuous 2000-2001 season. The team lost five of ten games during the early part of the season as they dealt with the death of Lute Olson's wife, Bobbi, to ovarian cancer. Combine that with the suspensions of Loren Woods and Richard Jefferson, and this season did now start off in ideal fashion for a talented Wildcat team. But Arizona responded when Olson returned to the sidelines, winning 13 of their last 15 games as they finished second in the Pac-10 and eventually made it to the national title game before losing to Duke.

Gilbert Arenas was the leading scorer for a talented Arizona team.
(photo credit: AP)

While Arizona did not have the most successful season, this was a team with as talented a starting five as there was this decade. Gilbert Arenas, Richard Jefferson, Michael Wright, Loren Woods, and Jason Gardner with Eugene Edgerson and Luke Walton coming off the bench? No wonder they made the title game.


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.