Big 12 Basketball Preview

The Big 12 is next up on the list of NCAA conferences to preview. This will be an exciting year in the conference as the race should be as competitive as last season. The Big 12 had a great offseason in terms of impact players, as Marcus Smart (college basketball’s top returning player) chose to return to Oklahoma State and Andrew Wiggins (nation’s top recruit) chose to attend Kansas. But the conference will be more than just those guys, so here you go:

Projected Standings

1. Kansas Jayhawks – Kansas was going to be good, and then they added the top recruit in the country (Andrew Wiggins) and the top transfer (Tarik Black). Suddenly, Kansas looks to be the favorite once again in the Big 12. Don’t sleep on Naadir Tharpe and Perry Ellis though, guys coming back that are sure to provide leadership. And Wayne Selden is another freshman that I think will be nearly as good as Wiggins.

2. Oklahoma State Cowboys – Oklahoma State benefitted the most of any team from NBA decisions. Their star Marcus Smart chose to pass on a Top 5 pick and return to college. Le’Bryan Nash and Markel Brown also passed on the draft making this team a juggernaut in the Big 12. They will compete neck and neck with the Jayhawks for the league title.

3. Baylor Bears – Baylor has flown under the radar during the offseason because of the two teams above, but don’t sleep on them. Isaiah Austin and Cory Jefferson create the best frontcourt in the conference, and they still have Brady Heslip to shoot on the perimeter. The key to their season will be how they replace Pierre Jackson at point guard. If they do that well, they can compete with the big boys.

4. Iowa State Cyclones – Iowa State lost a lot, but they mini reloaded like they have the last couple of years. Ejim and Niang (sweet names) return to the starting lineup, and joining them is DeAndre Kane, a transfer from Marshall that averaged over 15 points per game. Some Juco’s and freshmen will add depth and round out the team making for another middle of the pack competitive Cyclones team.

5. Texas Longhorns – Haven’t been relevant in years, but they have some young talent that could make them semi-dangerous.

6. Kansas State Wildcats – They lost some big time players, but they have some vets with Southwell and Spradling.

7. Texas Tech Red Raiders – Looking for a sleeper in the conference? This team returns a lot of talent and adds a couple guys who can step in and help now. Jaye Crockett is an emerging player.

8. Oklahoma Sooners – After maxing out their talent a year ago, it’s back to the rebuilding table again.

9. West Virginia Mountaineers – Bob Huggins had this program on the rise a couple years ago… now they are a nobody.

10. TCU Horned Frogs – Nearly put them above WVU, but still don’t trust them in a major conference.

Preseason Major Awards

Player of the Year – Marcus Smart (Oklahoma State)

Defensive Player of the Year – Michael Cobbins (Oklahoma State)

Freshman of the Year – Andrew Wiggins (Kansas)

Most Improved Player – Isaiah Austin (Baylor)

Coach of the Year – Bill Self (Kansas)

All Big-12 Teams

First Team:

G Marcus Smart, Oklahoma State

G Markel Brown, Oklahoma State

F Andrew Wiggins, Kansas

F Cory Jefferson, Baylor

C Isaiah Austin, Baylor

Second Team:

G Naadir Tharpe, Kansas

G Brady Heslip, Baylor

F DeAndre Kane, Iowa State

F Le’Bryan Nash, Oklahoma State

F Perry Ellis/Tarik Black, Kansas (one of these guys will emerge inside)

Third Team:

G Monte Morris, Iowa State

G Wayne Selden, Kansas

F Melvin Ejim, Iowa State

F Georges Niang, Iowa State

F Michael Cobbins, Oklahoma State

As you can see, the talent is clearly all in the top 4 teams. There is a huge drop-off at that point.

By: The Sports Guys