Conference Preview: Big 12

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BIG 12

Of the ten teams in the Big 12 Conference, seven qualified for the NCAA tournament for the second consecutive season last year, a truly amazing 70%!  Their participants included a 2 seed (Kansas), three 3 seeds (Iowa State, Oklahoma and Baylor), a 5 seed (West Virginia), a 9 seed (Oklahoma State) and an 11 seed (Texas).  Those numbers alone made the Big 12 appear to be the best conference in the country.  The results in the Big Dance, however, were not as good as only Oklahoma and West Virginia advanced to the second weekend, and the entire conference was done before the Elite Eight.

Although returning seven teams to the Big Dance this year would be a stretch to imagine, the Big 12 is once again loaded to bear, highlighted by a pair of legitimate national championship contenders at the top in Kansas and Iowa State.  On top of that, the Shaka Smart era is beginning at Texas, while Oklahoma, West Virginia and Baylor all return teams capable of advancing to the tournament.  At the bottom of the conference, both Texas Tech and TCU may make some strides this season, though probably not enough for postseason consideration.

Predicted Order of Finish

1.  Kansas – Who else?  The Jayhawks have won or shared an amazing 11 consecutive Big 12 regular season titles and there is no reason that streak won’t reach 12 this year.  They are loaded with the likes of Perry Ellis, Frank Mason III, Wayne Selden, Jr. and a couple of standout recruits such as Cheick Diallo (assuming he clears up his eligibility issue) and Carlton Bragg, Jr.  It would not be a shock at all to see this team still playing basketball in April.

2.  Iowa State – Fred Hoiberg left for the NBA, but new head coach Steve Prohm has a strong roster ready and waiting for his first season in Ames.  The veteran team includes Monte Morris, Jameel McKay, Georges Niang and Nazareth Mitrou-Long (f/k/a Naz Long).  To these players, the Cyclones have added Marquette transfer Deonte Burton and Oregon State transfer Hallice Cooke to form a very deep squad capable of winning multiple NCAA tournament games.

3.  Texas – Longhorn fans should be as excited as ever for the start of the Shaka Smart era in Texas.  Isaiah Taylor is the leader of a strong core of returning players while a solid recruiting class featuring guard Eric Davis, Jr. gets added into the mix as well.  Or maybe we should say gets added into the Mayhem.  There is no reason not to expect big things this year and in the future.

4.  Oklahoma – The Sooners’ backcourt of Buddy Hield, Isaiah Cousins and Jordan Woodard should be among the best in the conference.  Down low, Ryan Spangler will need to get help from the likes of JC transfer Akolda Manyang to help make up for the loss of TaShawn Thomas.

5.  West Virginia – Juwan Staten may be gone, but almost everyone else of note returns and freshman Esa Ahmad has the tools to be a standout.  Bob Huggins’ “Press Virginia” defense should benefit from the shorter shot clock and put the Mountaineers back in the dance.

6.  Baylor – The Bears return a solid frontcourt with the likes of Rico Gathers and Taurean Prince.  However, there are some questions in the backcourt beyond Lester Medford that need to be answered if they want to be in the NCAA tournament again this year.

7.  Oklahoma State – Phil Forte III should continue to shine and will get backcourt help from freshman Jawun Evans.  The problems are down low where there do not appear to be enough pieces to make up for the loss of Le’Bryan Nash.

8.  Texas Tech – Tubby Smith’s squad is still young, but got a lot of playing time and experience last season.  With two senior guards to help stabilize things this year and the expected growth of young talent down low, there is no reason why they will not rise in the standings.

9.  TCU – The Horned Frogs’ inside trio of Karviar Shepherd, Chris Washburn and Kenrich Williams, plus the addition of newcomer Jalon Miller, should give TCU an advantage on the boards in almost every game they play.  The problem will be finding the scoring to go along with it.

10.  Kansas State – The top players from a losing team are all gone, and that is not a combination that leads to success.  If things don’t start improving in Manhattan, coach Bruce Weber could end up on the hot seat.