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Big 12 Basketball: Kansas to earn 13th straight conference title?

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 10:31 p.m. ET

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Mar 10, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of the logo center court before the game between the Baylor Bears and Texas Longhorns during the Big 12 Conference tournament at Sprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Over the next couple of weeks, we will preview each conference heading into the 2016-17 season. Let’s start with Big 12 basketball.

The Big 12 sent a larger proportion of their teams to the NCAA Tournament than any other conference last year. Seven teams in all represented the Big 12 in March. That group combined for a Sweet 16, an Elite Eight, and one Final Four.

The ten-team league looks to do it again this season.

It’s no secret that massive star power graduated this past spring. Iowa State’s Georges Niang, Kansas’ Perry Ellis, and Oklahoma’s Buddy Hield all exhausted their college careers and were All-Americans by the end of it.

Almost nobody was immune to the departures: not Baylor (Rico Gathers, Taurean Prince), not Texas (Isaiah Taylor), not West Virginia (Devin Williams). New blood is needed to keep the Big 12 at the center of the national conversation.

The biggest question this season is still who can challenge Kansas as the Jayhawks seek to claim their 13th straight regular season title. Despite the loss of six guys, KU still has the talent between incumbents and newcomers to be the prohibitive favorite. Iowa State, Texas and West Virginia all have the pieces necessary to make a legitimate run at the Jayhawks though.

Three new coaches also make their power conference debut this year in Chris Beard (Texas Tech), Brad Underwood (Oklahoma State) and Jamie Dixon (TCU). All have big projects ahead of them to get their programs to challenge the current Big 12 titans.

With those three implementing new systems, I don’t expect any game to be an easy call at this point.

Mar 26, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self reacts to a play against the Villanova Wildcats during the first half of the south regional final of the NCAA Tournament at KFC YUM!. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Conference Awards

Coach of the Year: Shaka Smart, Texas

Player of the Year: Senior guard Monte Morris, Iowa State

Newcomer of the Year: Freshman guard Josh Jackson, Kansas

All-Big 12 First Team:

Senior guard Monte Morris, Iowa State

Senior guard Frank Mason III, Kansas

Senior guard Jordan Woodard, Oklahoma

Senior forward Wesley Iwundu, Kansas State

Junior forward Johnathan Motley, Baylor

All-Big 12 Second Team:

Sophmore guard Jawun Evans, Oklahoma State

Senior guard Tarik Phillip, West Virginia

Freshman guard Josh Jackson, Kansas

Junior forward Zach Smith, Texas Tech

Senior forward Brandon Parrish, TCU

If there is one player to look out for it’s, Kansas’ Josh Jackson. He is certainly a potential First Team All-American, as he has all the talent to make an immediate impact for Kansas. However, freshman tend to take time adjusting to the speed of the Big 12.

Mar 19, 2015; Omaha, NE, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Phil Forte III during practice before the 2015 NCAA Tournament at CenturyLink Center. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

10. Oklahoma State Cowboys

2015-2016 record: 12-20 (3-15 Big 12)

Key players gone: SG Jeff Newberry, SF Chris Oliver, PG Tyree Griffin, SF Joe Burton, C Anthony Allen

Key returnees: SG Phil Forte III, PG Jawun Evans, SF Leyton Hammonds, SF Jeff Carroll, SF Tavarius Shine, PF Mitchell Solomon

Newcomers: PG Brandon Averette (5’10”, 175), PG Thomas Dziagwa (6’4″, 180), PG Tyler Underwood (6’1″, 160, transfer from Stephen F. Austin), SG Lindy Waters (6’5″, 200), PF Cameron McGriff (6’6″, 210), C Lucas N’Guessan (7’0″, 215)

Oklahoma State’s hopes this year rest on Phil Forte’s recovery from an elbow injury that shuttered his season after just three games. The fifth-year senior might be the best pure shooter in the nation. He leads a squad with gritty potential eager to reclaim glory for Gallagher-Iba Arena.

The Oklahoma State rotation has good talent in the back court with both Forte and star sophomore Jawun Evans coming off injuries. The biggest issue for this team will come in the post.

Only two returnees, Leyton Hammonds and Mitchell Solomon, stand taller than 6’7″. Star freshman Cameron McGriff, from Grand Prairie, TX, will help quite a bit, but OSU will be undersized against almost every Big 12 opponent. New coach Brad Underwood from Stephen F. Austin will have to mold this scrappy group within his system very quickly in order to escape the conference’s basement.

Forte, Evans and McGriff are all in line for various All-Big 12 awards this season, but their supporting cast has a long way to go. The back court will carry this team, but concerns about their transitioning front court in a new system land them last place in this preview.

Mar 9, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; TCU Horned Frogs guard Brandon Parrish (11) shoots the ball as Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Aaron Ross (15) looks on in the first half during the Big 12 Conference tournament at Sprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

9. TCU Horned Frogs

2015-2016 record: 12-21 (2-16 Big 12)

Key players gone: PG Chauncey Collins, PF Devonta Abron

Key returnees: SG Malique Trent, PF Vladimir Brodziansky, SF Brandon Parrish, C Karviar Shepherd, PF JD Miller, C Chris Washburn, PG Michael Williams, SG Kenrich Williams (DNP 2015-2016)

Newcomers: PG Jaylen Fisher (6’2″, 195, 34th ESPN 100), SG Desmond Bane (6’5″, 215), SF Josh Parrish (6’5″, 220), PF Kouat Noi (6’7″, 205), PG Alex Robinson (6’1″, 180, transfer from Texas A&M)

I’m bullish on TCU this season. I think bringing alumnus Jamie Dixon was a home run move for a program that has struggled mightily in terms of transitioning to Big 12 basketball. The returning talent isn’t particularly impressive given their record last year, but Dixon is a proven commodity that should make this team more competitive.

Important pieces across the board return for the Horned Frogs. Brandon Parrish, Kenrich Williams, and Malique Trent are all capable of producing in different ways from the perimeter. New point guards Jaylen Fisher and Alex Robinson should be much more efficient distributors than the departed Chauncey Collins.

The front court needs to toughen up a lot, but the platoon of Vladimir Brodziansky, JD Miller, Karviar Shepherd, and Chris Washburn could benefit greatly from Dixon’s experience in terms of developing big men.

TCU doesn’t have the raw talent to push for the middle of the Big 12, but I actually think they can sneak past Oklahoma State and into ninth place if Fisher can adjust to the flow of the game quickly.

Jan 26, 2016; Morgantown, WV, USA; Kansas State Wildcats forward Wesley Iwundu (25) drives baseline during the first half at the WVU Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports

8. Kansas State Wildcats

2015-2016 record: 17-16 (5-13 Big 12)

Key players gone: SG Justin Edwards, C Stephen Hurt

Key returnees: SF Wesley Iwundu, PF Dean Wade, PG Kamau Stokes, PF D.J. Johnson, SG Barry Brown, SG Carlbe Ervin II, SF Austin Budke

Newcomers: SG Brian Patrick (6’5″, 180), SF Xavier Sneed (6’5″, 180), PF James Love III (6’10”, 220), PF Isaiah Maurice (6’10”, 225, redshirt in 2015-2016), C Dante Williams (7’0″, 255, redshirt in 2015-2016)

Kansas State will have to do much better than my projected 8th place finish if head coach Bruce Weber wants to keep his job. After finishing in a tie for first in the Big 12 in 2012-2013, KSU has dropped each season in the standings to bottom out at 8th last year.

It’s a good thing, then, that enough promising talent returns to challenge for the middle of the conference.

Senior Wesley Iwundu is the team’s best returning player, but has to shoot better than 20 percent from deep if he really wants to take a leap in his final college campaign. Sophomore wings Barry Brown and Kamau Stokes both have big opportunities ahead of them this year as well.

Getting more production out of D.J. Johnson will be huge, but sophomore Dean Wade could be a primary scoring option and the three freshmen bigs will have chances to contribute too.

Compared to Oklahoma State and TCU, Kansas State has healthier and more experienced players to fight through Big 12 play.

The Wildcats were the fourth best defensive team in the conference last season. If they can shoot better than last year’s putrid 30 percent mark they could easily reach the NIT.

Feb 13, 2016; Waco, TX, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Keenan Evans (12) and forward Zach Smith (11) and forward Aaron Ross (15) react during the second half against the Baylor Bears at Ferrell Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

7. Texas Tech Red Raiders

2015-2016 record: 19-13 (9-9 Big 12), NCAA Tournament 1st round

Key players gone: SG Toddrick Gotcher, PG Devaugntah Williams, PG C.J. Williamson, SG Jordan Jackson

Key returnees: PF Aaron Ross, PF Zach Smith, SF Justin Gray, PG Keenan Evans , C Norense Odiase, C Matthew Temple, PG Devon Thomas

Newcomers: PG Giovanni McLean (6’1″, 195, transfer from Quinnipiac), SG Niem Stevenson (6’5″, 185, Seward County [KS] Community College), SG Shadell Millinghaus (6’2″, 200, transfer from Northwest Florida State College), PF Anthony Livingston (6’8″, 230, transfer from Arkansas State)

Texas Tech could have the most crowded rotation of any team in the Big 12 this year. Two important guards and two depth pieces are gone, but seven contributors are back from last season’s surprise NCAA Tournament run. Four transfers from the junior college and graduate transfer ranks also come aboard for potentially epic position battles.

New head coach Chris Beard has a nice core of returning talent between wing players Keenan Evans and Justin Gray, and forwards Aaron Ross, Zach Smith and Norense Odiase. Those five guys are the five highest returning scorers and each one will have an important part of play this season.

Anthony Livingston, Giovanni McLean and Shadell Millinghaus all also have D1 experience. However, Niem Stevenson has the best chance of any newcomer to crack the starting lineup after averaging nearly 25 points in junior college. There won’t be many holes on this roster, as the big question will revolve around how the Red Raiders adjust to a new coaching style.

Last season’s Big Dance invite was a huge shock to much of America. Tubby Smith turned around the program in just three seasons before jetting off to Memphis.

Coach Beard was an assistant under Bob Knight and his son, Pat, so he should be very familiar with the perils of Texas basketball recruiting. The team certainly has enough talent to hang tough in the Big 12 and get to at least the NIT.

Mar 16, 2016; Providence , RI, USA; Baylor Bears head coach Scott Drew speaks to the media during a practice day before the first round of the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament at Dunkin Donuts Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

6. Baylor Bears

2015-2016 record: 22-12 (10-8 Big 12) NCAA Tournament 1st round

Key players gone: SF Taurean Prince, PF Rico Gathers, PG Lester Medford

Key returnees: SG Al Freeman, PF Johnathan Motley, PF Terry Maston, SF Ishmail Wainwright, SG King McClure, SG Jake Lindsey

Newcomers: PG Manu Lecomte (5’11”, 175, transfer from Miami [FL]), SG Tyson Jolly (6’3″, 190), SG Wendell Mitchell (6’3″, 180, redshirt 2015-2016), SF Mark Vital (6’6″, 200, 70th ESPN 100), PF Nuni Omot (6’8″, 200, transfer from Indian Hills [IA] Community College), C Jo Acuil (7’0″, 220, redshirt 2015-2016)

Baylor is another odd team coming into the year. They kept some important pieces, but their returnees feel like middle-tier guys at best. I have no doubt the Bears will be a strong competitor, but their ceiling is a mystery.

In the team’s new rotation, Al Freeman, Johnathan Motley, and newcomer Manu Lemonte figure to be the primary options on offense. For support, King McClure, Wendell Mitchell and Mark Vital have tons of potential on the perimeter. Jake Lindsey is also a serviceable backup for Lecomte.

The questions revolve around the assistance that the front court will provide for Motley. Terry Maston and Ishmail Wainwright are decent, but undersized and inconsistent. Jo Acuil is also an enigma, but has the size to be an immediate rim protector.

Baylor has under-achieved the past two seasons. They have suffered two straight narrow losses in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. They now have to figure out how to return to the Big Dance without their best distributor, rebounder, and overall best player. The talent and potential still reside in Waco for an NCAA birth, but the NIT might be more realistic at this point.

Apr 2, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Jordan Woodard (10) and center Jamuni McNeace (4) speak on the court during the first half against the Villanova Wildcats in the 2016 NCAA Men’s Division I Championship semi-final game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

5. Oklahoma Sooners

2015-2016 record: 29-8 (12-6 Big 12), NCAA Tournament Final Four

Key players gone: SG Buddy Hield, PG Isaiah Cousins, PF Ryan Spangler, G Dinjiyl Walker, C Akolda Manyang

Key returnees: PG Jordan Woodard, C Khadeem Lattin, PF Dante Buford, SG Christian James, SF Rashard Odomes, PF Jamuni McNeace

Newcomers: PG Darrion Strong (6’1″, 180, transfer from Coffeyville [KS] Community College), PG Jordan Shepherd (6’2″, 175), SG Kameron McGusty (6’5″, 170, 46th ESPN 100), PF Khristian Doolittle (6’7″, 215, 69th ESPN 100), PF Matt Freeman (6’10”, 217)

After a Final Four birth, head coach Lon Kruger could have a mild rebuild on his hands this year. The loss of Buddy Hield, Isaiah Cousins and Ryan Spangler means 60 percent of the team’s points are gone. The new rotation will mostly consist of a coalition of former role players and newcomers.

Plenty of bench guys are back. However, outside of Jordan Woodard, they combined for just 17 percent of the team’s points last year. Someone has a prime opportunity to break through with the massive amount of available minutes.

Woodard is the clear star, but he has some athletic help outside with top 100 freshman Kameron McGusty. Christian James and Rashard Odomes both have solid frames and will be important depth on the wing.

Up front you have the enforcer Khadeem Lattin, who could take a big jump in his junior season. His primary help could be the sophomores Dante Buford and Jamuni McNeace, who each bring their own effective style to the position.

Nobody is expecting Lon Kruger’s Sooners to drop off the map, but things are very different after so much firepower graduated. OU has a potential POY candidate in Woodard and a terrific recruiting class.

Things will hinge on just who steps up to fill the scoring gaps. The team still has plenty of talent to fight in the middle of the Big 12 and for another NCAA bid.

Dec 29, 2015; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns forward Tevin Mack (left) and guards Kerwin Roach (12) and Demarcus Holland (2) react against the Connecticut Huskies during the first half at the Frank Erwin Special Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports

4. Texas Longhorns

2015-2016 record: 20-13 Big 12 (11-7 Big 12), NCAA Tournament 1st round

Key players gone: PG Isaiah Taylor, C Cameron Ridley, PG Javan Felix, PF Connor Lammert, C Prince Ibeh, SG Demarcus Holland

Key returnees: SG Kerwin Roach Jr., SG Eric Davis Jr., G/F Tevin Mack, PF/C Shaquille Cleare, PG Kendal Yancy

Newcomers: SG Jacob Young (6’1″, 175), G Andrew Jones (6’4″, 195, 29th ESPN 100), SF Mareik Isom (6’9″, 215, transfer from Arkansas-Little Rock), C Jarrett Allen (6’10”, 225, 15th ESPN 100), C James Banks (6’11”, 235, 57th ESPN 100)

This could be a wild underestimation of what Texas will achieve this season. The rotation has tons of talent, but keep just two contributors from 2015-16 that aren’t second year players. Coach Shaka Smart’s second year will certainly be an interesting campaign. Anything can happen with four freshman and one graduate transfer trying to replace six valuable contributors.

This year sees five new faces arrive in Austin to support a terrific sophomore trio in Kerwin Roach Jr., Eric Davis Jr., and Tevin Mack.

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Those three will be the stars, but have help in the form of two top 10 centers Jarrett Allen and James Banks. Both young bigs are sorely needed after Cameron Ridley, Conner Lammert, and Prince Ibeh’s graduations.

Mareik Isom will help support the wing, while Andrew Jones and Jacob Young are promising guys to try and help at point guard.

Overall, Texas has plenty of young building blocks to remain in the regular season title hunt in the Big 12.

Point guard is a mild concern without a clear successor for Isaiah Taylor. It also isn’t a given that the two star center recruits will adjust to Big 12 play quickly. They have more raw talent than the teams that are projected to finish higher than them, but less total experience. Wherever they finish, expect an NCAA Tourney birth.

Mar 5, 2016; Waco, TX, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers head coach Bob Huggins (L) huddles with his team during a timeout in the closing minute against the Baylor Bears during the second half at Ferrell Center. The Mountaineers won 69-58. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports

3. West Virginia Mountaineers

2015-2016 record: 26-9 (13-5 Big 12), NCAA Tournament 1st round

Key players gone: G Jaysean Paige, PF Devin Williams, SF Jonathan Holton

Key returnees: G Jevon Carter, G Daxter Miles Jr., G Tarik Phillip, PF Esa Ahmed, PF Nathan Adrian, PF Elijah Macon, G Teyvon Myers

Newcomers: PG James Bolden (6’0″, 160, redshirt 2015-2016), PG Chase Harler (6’3″, 180), PF Maciej Bender (6’10”, 235), PF Sagaba Konate (6’8″, 240)

I have no doubt that West Virginia will still be one of the toughest opponents in conference play. Head coach Bob Huggins has built the Mountaineer program into a team that causes turnovers and volume scoring over efficiency.

The offseason departures stripped WVU of a lot of rebounding and pressure defense, but options remain for a dangerous rotation. Tarik Phillip, Jevon Carter and Daxter Miles Jr. are one of the best back courts in the country with their combination of scoring and defense. Teyvon Myers and maybe even freshmen James Bolden or Chase Harler could mix it up.

Up front, the Mountaineers feature stretch forward Nathan Adrian plus Elijah Macon, Esa Ahmed and potentially Poland native Maciej Bender. Fouls will still come and that could be a much bigger concern with slightly less proven depth.

West Virginia will still be among the best defenses in both the Big 12 and country. Coach Huggins has proven his squads will always compete no matter the talent available.

The biggest questions for the Mountaineers are if the team’s forwards improved enough and can the guards shoot better. WVU finished ninth in team 3-point percent ahead of just Kansas State, but expect another NCAA birth and for them to be a strong contender in the Big 12 race.

Mar 19, 2016; Denver , CO, USA; Iowa State Cyclones head coach Steve Prohm celebrates with Iowa State Cyclones guard Monte Morris (11) after Iowa State vs Arkansas Little Rock during the second round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

2. Iowa State Cyclones

2015-2016 record: 23-12 (10-8 Big 12), NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

Key players gone: PF Georges Niang, SF Abdel Nader, C Jameel McKay, SG Hallice Cooke

Key returnees: PG Monte Morris, SG Naz Mitrou-Long, SG Matt Thomas, F Deonte Burton

Newcomers: PG Donovan Jackson (6’2″, 175, Iowa Western Community College), SG Nick Weiler-Babb (6’5″, 200, transfer from Arkansas), SG Jakolby Long (6’5″, 208, 100th ESPN 100), PF Darrell Bowie (6’8″, 218, transfer from Northern Illinois), PF Merrill Holden (6’8″, 224, transfer from Louisiana Tech), PF Solomon Young (6’8″, 240), PF Cameron Lard (6’8″, 220)

Iowa State lost a true superstar when Georges Niang finally ended his career. The senior finished his time as the second-leading scorer in Iowa State history with numerous accolades to his name. Losing two other starters in Abdel Nader and Jameel McKay means that plenty of minutes are available.

Injuries and youth resulted in last season’s team using just seven guys most evenings. The new Cyclone rotation has the chance to feature anywhere from eight to ten guys. Iowa State will likely go with a four-guard lineup with preseason All-American Monte Morris plus Naz Mitrou-Long, Matt Thomas, and Deonte Burton.

Merrill Holden is an enforcer down low and Darrell Bowie is a stretch forward coming off shoulder trouble. Both of them, plus JUCO transfer Donovan Jackson and former Razorback Nick Weiler-Babb, will all play important roles.

Head coach Steve Prohm had a dream situation in his first year after leaving Murray State for Ames. The returning talent is still largely there from the Fred Hoiberg-era, but this is the first year for Prohm to really experiment to try and improve ISU’s conference-worst defensive numbers. If the Cyclones shoot lights out and get a few more stops, there is a good chance they challenge Kansas in the regular season.

Mar 26, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Frank Mason III (0) reacts after making a three pointer during the second half against the Villanova Wildcats in the south regional final of the NCAA Tournament at KFC YUM!. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

1. Kansas Jayhawks

2015-2016 record: 33-5 (15-3 Big 12), NCAA Tournament Elite Eight

Key players gone: PF Perry Ellis, SF Wayne Seldon Jr., SF Brannen Greene, PF Cheick Diallo, PF Jamari Traylor, C Hunter Mickelson

Key returnees: PG Frank Mason III, PG Devonte’ Graham, PF Landen Lucas, SG Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, PF Carlton Bragg Jr., SG Lagerald Vick

Newcomers: SG Josh Jackson (6’8″, 200, 2nd ESPN 100), PF Dwight Coleby (6’9″, 240, transfer from Ole Miss), PF Mitch Lightfoot (6’8″, 210, 67th ESPN 100), C Udoka Azubuike (7’0″, 280, 22nd ESPN 100)

Kansas looks like a lock to do it again. The Jayhawks are everyone’s easy preseason favorite to win their 13th conference title in a row. Even with six forwards gone, KU’s rotation has plenty of firepower to hold off Iowa State and West Virginia.

You can’t talk about this team’s potential without focusing on the back court group of Frank Mason III, Devonte’ Graham and Josh Jackson. These three could be absolutely lethal together and will be tough for any perimeter group to defend. Behind them are potential lottery picks Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk and former top 100 player Lagerald Vick.

The big concerns are clearly up front with six big bodies gone. Carlton Bragg Jr. and Laden Lucas are primed for starting roles and bigger production. Behind them is Ole Miss enforcer Dwight Coleby, who comes off ACL trouble, and freshmen Udoka Azuibuike and Mitch Lightfoot.

Anything is possible in Big 12 play, but don’t count on Kansas finishing any worse than first. Another deep NCAA Tournament run is also easily achievable for the most consistent program in the country.

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