The college basketball season goes by too quickly. The games flow into one another, there’s always news breaking, stories to read and stuff to track.
But just like that, the 2011-12 season is done. Kentucky took its eighth title and the Baylor women put the finishing touches on an historic 40-0 season.
So why not relive the best moments of the season? Here, presented for your pleasure, are the top photos of the college basketball season.
(For those seeking nothing but NCAA tournament action, try this slideshow. There are roughly 400 photos in there. For those reading this via your SportsTalk phone app, better email it to yourself. These’ll look better on a big screen.)
Connecticut sophomore Roscoe Smith goes airborne during for the Huskies at Midnight Madness. (Jessica Hill/AP)
Pyrotechnics at the Breslin Center for Michigan State’s Midnight Madness event. (Al Goldis/AP)
Baylor freshman Quincy Miller has some fun during the school’s Midnight Madness festivities. (Photo credit: Tony Gutierrez /AP)
The amazing setting for the Carrier Classic, the game’s unofficial opener between North Carolina and Michigan State on Nov. 11 in San Diego. There were dozens of amazing shots from this game. (Harry How/Getty Images)
Another great shot. Click here for more. (Harry How/Getty Images)
This dunk by UConn’s Jeremy Lamb over Columbia’s Mark Cisco was the early leader for “wow” image of the season. (AP photo)
Arizona junior Kevin Parrom was shot in the leg less than a month before practices began. When he was healthy enough to play, he got a huge hug from assistant Emanuel “Book” Richardson on Nov. 13. (Wily Low/AP)
When Duke coach passed legendary coach — and mentor — Bob Knight on the all-time wins list with No. 903, it called for a nice moment between friends. More photos from that night are here. (Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Kentucky’s Anthony Davis blocks a potential game-winning shot by North Carolina’s John Henson during the Wildcats’ thrilling 73-72 win on Dec. 3 in Chapel Hill. It was THE moment of the early season until … (Robert Willett/AP)
Indiana stunned Kentucky — one of two losses the champs suffered this season — thanks to Christian Watford’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer.
Fans reacted accordingly. (Brian Spurlock/US Presswire)
It wasn’t all fun and games. The off-court scandal affecting longtime Syracuse assistant Bernie Fine was the biggest non-game story of the year. (Kevin Rivoli/AP)
It wasn’t much fun for head coach Jim Boeheim, either. This was a typical press conference after Fine was fired. (Kevin Rivoli/AP)
Then there was the Cincinnati-Xavier brawl, the ugliest moment during the season. Yancy Gates’ fist summed it all up in one image. (Al Behrman/AP)
Days after UNLV stunned North Carolina, Wichita State delivered a knockout blow to the Rebels. (Jeff Tuttle/AP)
Former Maryland coach Gary Williams is honored by the school with his name on the court. (Patrick Semansky/AP)
Dick Vitale got the court named after him at Detroit. Not bad for his only college coaching stop. (Carlos Osorio/AP)
Jay-Z, Kentucky fan. He was on hand for the first Kentucky-Louisville game on New Year’s Eve. (James Crisp/AP)
Kansas’ Eljiah Johnson goes airborne vs. Towson.
Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan still can’t believe the Badgers lost to Michigan State. (AP)
Where is Mason Plumlee gonna land? (Grant Halvorsen/Getty)
I think opponents often thought Delaware’s Elena Delle Donne had this many arms. (Alex Brandon/AP)
Georgia Tech’s Kammeon Holsey dives for a loose ball. (Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
Kansas’ Travis Releford didn’t hurt himself on this play. That’s just a reaction to a foul being called on him. (Jamie Squire/Getty)
Mike Moser is a rebounding stud for UNLV. This is not him. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Who says Ohio State’s Jared Sullinger can’t get up? (Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
Illinois guard Brandon Paul provided the Illini’s highlight of the season when he poured in 43 vs. Ohio State. (Heather Colt/AP)
Florida State trounced North Carolina by 33 points on Jan. 15. That was an ill omen for the Heels. (Steve Cannon/AP)
This was a typical sight for teams playing Kentucky this season. (John Sommers II/Reuters)
Yep, that’s Denard Robinson celebrating Michigan’s wild win against Michigan State. (Carlos Osorio/AP)
Duke freshman Austin Rivers after Michael Snaer’s buzzer-beating 3-point saved Florida State. (Grant Halverson/Getty)
Who didn’t love Murray State’s 23-0 start to the season? (John Wright/AP)
It wasn’t all bad for Syracuse. Boeheim did pass Dean Smith on the all-time wins list.
Georgia State coach Ron Hunter in his fifth annual barefoot game in support of Samaritan’s Feet, an organization that provides shoes for underprivileged children in over 62 countries around the world. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Austin Rivers. Dagger. (Jim R. Bounds/AP)
Kendall Marshall can’t believe Rivers hit that shot. (Streeter Lecka/Getty)
What did Wichita State’s Garrett Stutz do to that rim? (Jeff Tuttle/AP)
Purdue would really like for Draymond Green to miss that free throw. (Getty)
Jack Blankenship. The face. The poster. The legend. (Photo via the Birmingham News)
Missouri, Kansas State. This one’s just lovely. (Getty)
Duke’s Miles Plumlee goes in for the kill. (Streeter Lecka/Getty)
Mega-Kansas fan Jason Sudeikis took flame Olivia Wilde to a game at Allen Fieldhouse. I like his style. (Jamie Squire/Getty)
Hey look! It’s Rob Lowe! Was Peyton Manning nearby? (Lance King/Getty)
UConn coach Jim Calhoun missed games due to health reasons. He assumes a Big Brother presence during a game against Syracuse. (Jessica Hill/AP)
Travis Releford celebrates a miraculous comeback against Missouri. (Orlin Wagner/AP)
This block by Michigan State’s Adreian Payne on Ohio State’s Jared Sullinger just looks painful. (Leon Halip/Getty)
Seton Hall’s Jordan Theodore soars against Providence during the Big East tournament. (Chris Trotman/Getty)
Illinois coach Bruce Walker walks in front of his bench late. Nebraska won 80-57. (Dave Weaver/AP)
Roy Williams, workin’ it for his Heels during the ACC tournament. (Getty)
This is the agony Nebraska basketball fans face. (Eric Francis/Getty)
This was the last time things didn’t go Kentucky’s way. (Getty)
Kim English celebrates Missouri’s last win of the season. (Ed Zurga/Getty)
Another season, another year Northwestern misses the NCAA tournament. (Kiichiro Sato/AP)
Anthony Davis’ impact off the court.
Rob Brandenberg celebrates VCU’s CAA tournament title. (Steve Helber/AP)
President Obama gave British Prime Minister David Cameron a taste of March Madness. (Jim Watson/Getty)
Yancy Gates. (Jamie Squire/Getty)
Kyle O’Quinn moments after helping Norfolk State make history against 2-seed Missouri.
Duke’s Austin Rivers, right, goes up for a shot against Lehigh’s B.J. Bailey. Another 2 seed, out. (Mike Ehrmann / Getty Images)
Florida State’s Bernard James gets into St. Bonaventure defenders. (Mark Humphrey / AP)
Ohio coach John Groce, center, slaps hands with guard Ricardo Johnson after the Bobcats’ win. (Mark Humphrey / AP)
Bring the Payne. (Jamie Squire / Getty Images)
The moment North Carolina’s title prospects changed. (Chris Keane/Reuters)
This is Brittney Griner’s world. We’re just living in it. (Julie Jacobson/AP)
You also can follow me on Twitter @MikeMillerNBC.
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Kentucky phenoms choose 2013-14 preparation over other possibilities
May 22, 2013, 10:04 PM EDT
AP
As a recruiting class that has been hailed by some as the best in the history of college basketball, Kentucky’s incoming freshmen will receive a lot of attention throughout the 2013-14 campaign. And with the skills that players such as Julius Randle, Aaron and Andrew Harrison, Dakari Johnson and James Young possess a number of…
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AP
A third player with eligibility remaining will not return to the BYU program next season, as it was reported that 6-8 forward Agustin Ambrosino will not be a member of the basketball program in 2013-14. Ambrosino, who played an average of 6.2 minutes in 31 games last season, joins Raul Delgado (transferring to Metro State)…
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UMKC head coach Kareem Richardson completes coaching staff
May 22, 2013, 7:07 PM EDT
One week ago UMKC announced the addition of a fourth player to the program, as 6-10 forward/center Isaac Kreuer will return to the Kansas City metropolitan area after spending last year at the Impact Basketball Academy in Las Vegas. According to the Kansas City Star, first-year head coach Kareem Richardson has filled out his coaching…
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Report: Elon to officially join Colonial Athletic Association Thursday
May 22, 2013, 5:55 PM EDT
AP
With the loss of four institutions the Colonial Athletic Association has some work to do on the realignment front. Apparently the league has found a new member, as it was reported by the Wilmington Star-News that Elon will officially join the CAA on Thursday. Elon has announced a press conference for 2:00 p.m. EST Thursday…
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Nate Robinson, other Washington greats to play in alumni game June 23
May 22, 2013, 4:44 PM EDT
University of Washington
On Tuesday, the University of Washington announced plans for an alumni basketball game to be held on June 23. Returning for the game will be former Husky stars such as Brandon Roy, Nate Robinson and Jon Brockman among many. Festivities will begin at 1:00 p.m., with there also being three-point and slam dunk competitions for…
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Will Yeguete out four months after another surgery on right knee
May 22, 2013, 3:10 PM EDT
Getty Images
Will Yeguete just cannot get healthy. The Florida forward missed the final nine games of his sophomore season with a broken foot and then had to sit out much of February after arthroscopic surgery on his right knee as a junior. He returned to play the final six games of the season. Yeguete underwent more…
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Is Antonio Barton the answer for any of the four schools chasing him?
May 22, 2013, 2:04 PM EDT
On Monday afternoon, former Memphis big man Tarik Black announced that he would transferring to Kansas where he’ll team up with Andrew Wiggins, Wayne Selden and Joel Embiid to give Bill Self the nation’s best non-Kentucky recruiting class and a shot at a national title. Black, who will be eligible immediately, may never end up…
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USA Basketball has released a list of 24 players that will be attending training camp in Colorado Springs from June 14th-19th to try and earn a spot on Team USA for the U19 championships, which take place in Prague from June 27th-July 7th. While there is some solid talent on that roster, it’s not necessarily…
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AP
It’s all-but official now: Mike Krzyzewski will be returning to coach Team USA in the 2014 World Championships in Madrid and the 2016 Olympics in Rio De Janeiro. That’s according to a report from Pete Thamel of SI, who reported over the weekend that Coach K was strongly considering returning to head up the stars…
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Five-Star NC native Theo Pinson commits to North Carolina
May 22, 2013, 12:34 PM EDT
On Wednesday afternoon, five-star small forward Theo Pinson officially announced his intentions to stay in-state and attend North Carolina. The Greensboro, NC, native picked the Tar Heels over Indiana, Louisville, Georgetown and Duke. A 6-foot-6 athlete on the wing, Pinson is known for his ability to get up and down the floor and finish around…
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FBI: San Diego point-shaving scandal netted ‘more than $120,000′
May 22, 2013, 11:52 AM EDT
Getty Images
Back in March, former San Diego Torero Brandon Johnson, the school’s all-time leader in points and assists, was sentenced to six months in federal prison for his role in a point-shaving scheme during the 2009-2010 season back in March. Johnson was lucky; the state wanted to give him a year. He’ll begin serving his sentence…
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Memphis emerging as the leader to host the AAC tournament?
May 22, 2013, 10:38 AM EDT
The last that we had heard about the AAC tournament, Mohegan Sun was planning on cobbling together an offer to get bring the ‘old Big East’ to Connecticut to play out their league championship. That does not look like it’s going to end up happening, however. According to a report from the Memphis Commercial-Appeal’s Kyle…
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Enosch Wolf’s suspension lifted, but no scholarship available at UConn
May 22, 2013, 9:47 AM EDT
AP
Enosch Wolf’s suspension from the UConn basketball team has officially been lifted, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that the 7-foot-1 German will be returning to Storrs next season. Wolf was suspended back in February as a result of a domestic dispute where he refused to leave a women’s apartment, pushed her and knocked her glasses…
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Renovations to Hinkle Fieldhouse to cost $34 million dollars
May 21, 2013, 9:52 PM EDT
AP
Butler will begin play in the Big East next season with Hinkle Fieldhouse, its home floor for more than 80 years under renovations that will cost up to $34 million dollars. The university believes the renovations will be complete around November 2014. “The important role our athletic programs have had within Butler’s strategy and national…
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AMHERST, Mass. — In the Class of 2014, one player who should continue making a name for himself is 7-foot-2 center Paschal Chukwu. He is fresh off his junior season at Fairfield College Preparatory School (Conn.), leading the Jesuits to the championship game of the Class LL. Chukwu is currently on the AAU circuit with Connecticut Basketball…
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After spending one year on the coaching staff at LSU, long-time assistant Robert Kirby is once again leaving the SEC, this time to join Josh Pastner and the Memphis Tigers. Jim Kleinpeter of The Times-Picayune reports that the first-year LSU assistant resigned as an assistant coach on Monday night in order to take a similar position…
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Jay-Z gives Skylar Diggins a Mercedes Benz as graduation gift
May 21, 2013, 6:02 PM EDT
Getty Images
Tulsa Shock guard Skylar Diggins wrapped up a great career with the Fighting Irish earlier this spring. Following her graduation from the University Notre Dame on Sunday, her sports agency, Roc Nation Sports — founded by Jay-Z — rewarded her with a Mercedes Benz. Got surprised with a new mercedes! Thanks so muchto Jay and…
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Getty Images
The Connecticut back court was already in good shape with the return of Shabazz Napier, Ryan Boatright and Omar Calhoun. On Tuesday afternoon, Kevin Ollie added to his guard depth with George Washington transfer Lasan Kromah. This news came according to CBSSports.com, who confirmed the transfer through a source. Kromah is graduating from George Washington,…
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Getty Images
The field for the Legends Classic has been announced. Pittsburgh highlights the field and will be joined by Stanford, Houston and Texas Tech. Each of the four teams will host a pair on games on campus prior to going to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn for the semifinals and the finals. The final two rounds…
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Montana announced on Tuesday that Washington transfer Martin Breunig would be transferring into the program. “We are very excited about signing Martin Breunig at the University of Montana,” head coach Wayne Tinkle said in a statement. “He’s a strong, athletic post player, and he really adds good size and strength to our front line.” “We…
