Season Preview: Big 12

While other power conferences like the Big East, ACC, and Pac-10 were ravaged by the NBA draft, most of the big talent in the Big 12 chose to stick around, and as a result everywhere from 1st to 10th in conference should be highly contested. With two legit top 5 teams and National Championship contenders, and nine to ten teams that could make the tournament, the Big 12 is the best and deepest conference in the country. Like the Big East last year, there will likely be one or two teams that get some nice looking victories but end up on the wrong side of the tournament cut line due to poor performance in conference. Such is the nature of the beast this year in the Big 12.

The Favorites:

Kansas: Simply put, this is the clear #1 team in the nation. Everyone that contributed to this team last year returns. That includes top PG in the country Sheron Collins. That includes one of the best big men in the country in Cole Aldrich. That includes wings Tyshawn Taylor, Markieff Morris, and Maurice Morris. Oh, and if those guys don't work out, there's always frosh Xavier Henry and Thomas Robinson to help carry the scoring load. There's depth in the backcourt too, with Brady Morningstar and Tyrel Reed. There's really no weak point on this Jayhawks squad at the moment.

Now, the team has had to deal with their fair share of run-ins with the law. Morningstar has been suspended for the first semester after being arrested on suspected drunken driving. Tyshawn Taylor injured his finger in a fight with the school football team earlier this fall. Coach Bill Self is attempting to put these incidents behind his team and focus on basketball. As long as they're winning on the court, he shouldn't have too difficult of a time doing so.

Texas: Lots of talent returns, and lots of talent enters. Forward Damion James chose to stay in school and gives the Longhorns one of the best 3's in the country. Dexter Pittman is an absolute monster in the paint. Justin Mason was steady at the point. Gary Johnson, Varez Ward, and Douglas Balbay are solid backups. The only loss was three point specialist A. J. Abrams, and honestly, that's not always a bad thing, as Abrams bogged down the offense at times with his one-on-one showdowns and quick trigger for three pointers. The offense should be more spread out and should flow better this year.

The strength for Texas is in the backcourt. Jai Lucas, transfer from Florida, J'Covan Brown, star of the class of 2008 who is finally academically eligible, and frosh Avery Bradley join Mason, Balbay, and Ward in a fight for playing time. It's a good problem to have for sure. And with Pittman, Johnson, and James patroling the frontcourt, Texas is as close to a complete team as you're going to get. This is a top 5 team.

Team that could surprise:

Kansas State: Unlike other conferences where the middle is one big mess, I feel like there's a gap between the really good teams, the solid tournament teams, the fringe tournament teams, and the NIT and below teams. That means it can be difficult to envision scenarios where teams from those lower tiers make jumps up. That's not true for the Wildcats, who return two very talented guards in Denis Clemente and Jacob Pullen and bring in uber-talented forward Wally Judge. Kansas State isn't getting a ton of press this year, but they have the potential to move up into the top 3 of the conference.

Team that could disappoint:

Oklahoma: Just like it's difficult to find sleepers, it can be difficult to guess which teams will not perform as well as expected. Maybe it's just because I want to see the good in every team... anyway, the team most likely to disappoint is the Sooners, simply because they relied so much on one player last year (Blake Griffin) and that man is gone this year. Guys like Juan Patillo and Tony Crocker are good role players, but not offensive leaders. That burden falls on young Willie Warren. I believe he's ready to take that step, but if he's not, OU will fall back, and in the slippery slope that is the Big 12, that could be more than just a few places in the standings.

Picks:

1. Kansas: Simply the most talent returning.
2. Texas: Everyone (including myself) expects big, big things out of the Longhorns this year.
3. Kansas State: Lots of returnees, decent amount of depth, and potent backcourt mean good things for the Wildcats.
4. Oklahoma State: One of the hottest teams in the country at the end of last year... but who will replace Eaton?
5. Oklahoma: Warren gets his opportunity to shine.
6. Missouri: They will be small, but they are dedicated to their style of play and will be fun to watch.
7. Texas A&M: Chinemelu Elonu is gone, but decent amount of talent still returns.
8. Iowa State: How far can Craig Brackins carry the Cyclones this year?
9. Baylor: Lots of turnover for the Bears this season, and in a dangerous conference. But the program is in good hands.
10. Texas Tech: Some good components, but this team needs to play some defense.
11. Nebraska: Got a lot out of a little last year... the conference is much better this season though.
12. Colorado: At least there's football... oh wait, maybe not.

Tournament Teams:

Kansas, Texas, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, Missouri, Texas A&M