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MEDIA DAY PRESEASON POLL
- Kansas
- Baylor
- Texas Tech
- Texas
- West Virginia
- Oklahoma State
- Iowa State
- Oklahoma
- Kansas State
- TCU
MEDIA DAY BIG 12 PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Udoka Azubuike – Kansas, SR C
MEDIA DAY PRESEASON NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR: Chris Clarke – Texas Tech, SR G
MEDIA DAY PRESEASON FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR: Oscar Tshiebwe – West Virginia, FR F
MEDIA DAY PRESEASON ALL-BIG 12 TEAM
Tristan Clark – Baylor – JR F
Tyrese Haliburton – Iowa State, SO G
Udoka Azubuike – Kansas, SR C
Devon Dotson – Kansas, SO G
Desmond Bane – TCU, SR G
COMMENTS FROM DAVID. This is a conference that routinely sends more than half its teams to the NCAA Tournament. Last year was a bit of a down year. They only sent 5. But still, out of all the power conference the Big 12 is the only league that can call it a down year when half the teams still make it.
Kansas is the overwhelming preseason favorite after their seemingly century long streak of first place finishes ended a year ago. They did lose some key players, but as always they are reloading with talent. Three starters are back, including the Big 12 preseason player of the year in Udoka Azubuike, and another outstanding young guard in Devon Dotson. They have outstanding guards, they have an outstanding center, and they have depth. It is worth noting that Kansas has received a notice of allegations from the NCAA, and that will be hanging over them throughout the season as things develop. We’ll see if it ends up being a distraction for them later on.
Texas Tech has started the last two seasons outside the rankings. Two years ago they made the Elite Eight. Last year they were the national runner-up. Don’t you think it’s time that they finally got some preseason love?? Well, four starters are gone from last year’s team, but they do have several players who saw significant minutes last season returning and, if things go as I think they will, those players will embrace their new roles and Texas Tech will once again be on the national scene.
Baylor is a team that the media and coaches are obviously big on, and they have been picked second. I really like this Baylor team, but I still can’t see them finishing ahead of Texas Tech if for no other reason that Texas Tech is always a lot better than people think they are going to be. Still, Scott Drew has done a sensational job and he returns three starters from a team that made the NCAAs 1 year ago. This is a team that, like Texas Tech, ended up being a lot better than they were expected to be a year ago. They are good in both the frontcourt and backcourt, and should get some help from their bench as well.
Texas missed the NCAA Tournament last year, but did win the NIT and are looking to get back to The Big Dance this year. Only two starters are back, but they do have a nice core of players who saw significant minutes last year, and like most Shaka Smart teams they look to be strong at the guard position.
West Virginia fell flat last year. It was easily one of the worst teams they’ve had since Bob Huggins arrived on campus. They struggled with injuries and just couldn’t get in a regular routine. Expect to see a huge improvement this year, especially if everyone is healthy. It wouldn’t shock me at all to see this team back in the rankings and in the top half of the bracket before the season is over.
Kansas State tied for first place last season! They’ve got three key starters back! And they are picked to finished….9th?? What am I missing. Okay, I realize that they lost two huge contributing players to graduation, but still they’ve got Xavier Sneed back, a few other players who saw significant minutes, two really good freshmen players coming in, and a solid JUCO player. They’re not my pick to win the league, but I think they’re going to be a hell of a lot better than 9th!!
Oklahoma State finished in 9th last season. All five starters are back, and just based on experience alone they should be an improved team.
I’m a little surprised there isn’t a little more love for Iowa State. They did lose some big pieces, but they will be aided by a key transfer and the return of their starting point guard. But, they did lose a lot. Still, it wouldn’t shock me to see them hovering around the bubble come March. Or, they’ll just win the Big 12 Tournament again. They’ve gotten in the habit of doing that.
Both Oklahoma and TCU return multiple key starters from teams that won 20 or more games a year ago. TCU barely missed the NCAA Tournament. But, that just goes to show you how strong this league may be this year. The bottom of this league is far better than the bottom of nearly every other power conference.