Kansas' Devonte' Graham celebrates as the Jayhawks defeat the Oklahoma Sooners, 109-106, at Allen Fieldhouse on Jan. 4, 2016 in Lawrence, Kansas.
Jamie Squire via Getty Images
It’s been less than 12 hours since the final whistle blew, but it’s safe to say that Monday night’s triple-overtime marathon matchup between the No. 1 and No. 2 college basketball teams in the nation will slide into the annals of NCAA hoops as one of the greatest contests of the 2015-2016 season.
Not only was Monday’s game between Kansas and Oklahoma a test of endurance, it also contained a perfect combination of offensive onslaughts and defensive acumen, as the Jayhawks ultimately sealed the 109-106 victory by pairing its 50 percent shooting from downtown with two huge steals in the contest’s final ticks.
The battle for the nation’s No. 1 slot lasted 55 beautiful, blissful minutes -- but here are five facts and plays that exemplify just how truly amazing the contest was.
1. It’s been nearly six decades since we’ve seen two teams this good play a game that was that great.
2. Oklahoma’s Buddy Hield spun, skipped and sliced his way to 46 points, going 8-of-15 from deep.
The guy was lights-out from long-range -- hitting this pump-fake, one-dribble, hand-in-the-face triple in the contest’s third overtime …
… while he also showed off his agility, gliding and contorting his way through the paint and to the basket for this lay-in, only a few minutes earlier.
3. We saw a 20-point momentum swing in just about five minutes of game time.
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With 3:03 remaining in the first half, a Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk 3-pointer gave Kansas the 37-26 lead. Right after intermission, with 17:53 to go in regulation, a Khadeem Lattin dunk capped off a huge Sooners run, pushing the visiting team to a 51-42 advantage.
4. It took this contested, falling-to-the-floor trey to break the contest’s stalemate and give Kansas an edge in the final stanza.
Wayne Selden Jr. finished with 21 points, shooting 9-of-17 on the night, including another clutch basket with 75 seconds left in the battle.
By the way, this second-half slam wasn’t half bad, either.
5. Each team was killer from 3-point range, shooting at a combined clip of 49.25 percent -- but, at the end of the day, the cliché rang true: Defense won the game for Kansas.
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Wayne Selden Jr., Perry Ellis and Frank Mason III celebrate late in the game against Oklahoma at Allen Fieldhouse on Jan. 4, 2016.
Jamie Squire via Getty Images
Frank Mason III tallied two steals in the final 21 seconds, giving the Jayhawks a pair of extra possessions that enabled the home team to tie the contest, take the lead and ultimately clinch the win.
More Jayhawks-Sooners matchups, please.
Also on HuffPost:
Top 10 College Basketball Seniors
Georges Niang, F, Iowa State(01 of10)
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The 6-foot-8 Niang is Iowa State's point forward -- a splendid blend of skill and size. Gone is "the mayor," head coach Fred Hoiberg, to the Chicago Bulls, but expect Niang to remain the focal point of an elite offensive unit. As a junior, he converted 40 percent from 3, while averaging 15 points, five rebounds and three assists. The Cyclones will go as far as he takes them. (credit:Joe Robbins via Getty Images)
Fred VanVleet, PG, Wichita State(02 of10)
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VanVleet is as pure a point guard as you will find in college basketball. At 6 feet, he controls the entire game, making sound decisions and the right basketball play. Last year, the Illinois native averaged nearly 14 points, five assists and five rebounds per game. Expect a significant bump in both this season. (credit:Ronald Martinez via Getty Images)
Kyle Wiltjer, F, Gonzaga(03 of10)
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A former SEC Sixth Man of the Year at Kentucky, Wiltjer enjoyed a marvelous first season in Spokane. The 6-foot-10 forward is a real matchup problem because of his offensive versatility and overall efficiency. As a junior on an Elite Eight Gonzaga team, he connected on 54 percent of his field attempts and 47 percent from deep. He doesn't handle the ball like Adam Morrison, but Wiltjer is the closest thing Mark Few has had since Morrison left for the NBA. (credit:Ronald Martinez via Getty Images)
Buddy Hield, SG, Oklahoma(04 of10)
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The reigning Big 12 Player of the Year returns to Norman, hoping to improve on what has been a marvelous career. Hield, who averaged 17 points and five rebounds as a junior, will look to up his 3-point clip (36 percent) while continually raising his NBA draft stock. He has become a wonderfully efficient guard whose next task will be to defend multiple spots while further enhancing his ball handling and creativity. (credit:Jamie Sabau via Getty Images)
Denzel Valentine, G, Michigan State(05 of10)
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Valentine is a classic Tom Izzo player: tough and versatile, and an all-around winner. Furthermore, he will be asked to run the point much of this season. As a junior, Valentine took a considerable leap in his scoring (plus 6.5 points and plus 4 percent from distance) while helping guide Sparty to a surprising Final Four run. Izzo will lean on him once more to provide much of the same. (credit:Maddie Meyer via Getty Images)
Caris LeVert, SG, Michigan(06 of10)
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If not for a season-ending stress fracture last year, LeVert might be in the NBA right now. Back for his final go-around in Ann Arbor, the 6-foot-7 Ohio native will display a terrific floor game with the rare opportunity to average 15-5-5 if he can remain healthy. (credit:Duane Burleson via Getty Images)
Marcus Paige, PG, North Carolina(07 of10)
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Paige is a four-year guy who probably didn't think he would be. After being slowed by significant foot issues last year, though, the diminutive Paige should be in line for a massive senior campaign, leading arguably the most talented team Roy Williams has had in Chapel Hill. A playmaking dynamo and big shot-maker who can really shoot it as well, Paige might just be the best point guard in the country. Don't be concerned about his broken finger either: it was to his non-shooting hand and he won't miss much time. (credit:Lance King via Getty Images)
Ron Baker, SG, Wichita State(08 of10)
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Baker burst onto the national scene during the Shockers' Final Four run in 2013. He hasn't gone away ever since, and don't forget that this is a former walk-on we're talking about. Flanking VanVleet in one of the nation's most devastating backcourts, Baker will be a go-to scoring option who at 6-foot-4, 220 -- fresh off a Team USA Pan Am bronze medal last summer -- should have Wichita State in prime position for another deep run come March. (credit:Peter Aiken via Getty Images)
Malcolm Brogdon, G, Virginia(09 of10)
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Brogdon -- much like teammate Anthony Gill -- is a prototypical Tony Bennett player: his stats (14 points, four rebounds) are hardly flashy, yet he's remarkably productive for a Cavs team that plays slower than all but three teams in college basketball. Brogdon, a true power guard at 6-foot-5, 215 pounds, should improve his perimeter shooting (34 percent from 3), but his two-way ability is a welcome sign and the main reason why the first-team All-ACC selection made this list. Oh, and he's not too shabby off the court either. (credit:Grant Halverson via Getty Images)
Perry Ellis, PF, Kansas(10 of10)
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Ellis is a no frills big man who continually puts up strong numbers, if hardly spectacular ones. The former McDonald's All-American was a first-team All-Big 12 performer last year despite seeing his field goal percentage sink over 9 percentage points. Ellis will need to improve on his scoring and rebounding (14 and seven as a junior) if Kansas wants to become a legitimate Final Four contender. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)