Iconic CU Moments: Askia Booker downs Kansas no
The date is December 7, 2013. The Kansas Jayhawks roll into Boulder with an impressive array of talent. Led by future NBA superstars Andrew Wiggins and Joel Embiid, as well as top-end role players like Wayne Selden and Frank Mason III, the Jayhawks played their way to a 6-1 record and the number six ranking in the country. Colorado counters with an 8-1 record and a host of talented Buffaloes in Spencer Dinwiddie, Josh Scott, and Askia Booker.
Kansas comes out hot in the first half, scoring the first seven points of the game and staking themselves to a 21-12 lead after an Embiid jumper at the 10:13 mark. From there, the Buffaloes battle back with a 21-9 scoring run to take a 33-30 lead into halftime, punctuated by a Booker 3-pointer with three seconds remaining in the first half.
The second half is an inverse of the first, seeing the Buffs race out to a 9-point lead, only to see the lead evaporate in a 3-minute span. Colorado continues to build small leads only to see Kansas claw its way back into the game. With 31 seconds remaining and the Buffs nursing a two-point lead at 70-68, the Jayhawks start playing the foul game, and it is working. Booker gets fouled, misses a free throw, and Wiggins makes two free throws: 71-69 Buffs. Dinwiddie is fouled, misses a free throw, and a layup by Perry Ellis ties the game at 72.
Coach Tad Boyle takes a time out and must draw up a play that will take the ball the full length of the court in only three seconds. Conventional wisdom says to get the ball to Spencer Dinwiddie and let him try and make a play.
Forward Xavier Johnson starts the play from the right sideline. Dinwiddie starts under the basket and is immediately doubled, and falls. The Buffs and the Jayhawks are scrambling and the ball is inbounded to Booker on the wrong side of half court. Booker takes two dribbles and rises up from 30 feet and…
