Over the past several seasons, we’ve grown quite accustomed to prematurely giving the Kansas Jayhawks the highest expectations in the Big 12, and deservedly so as they’ve been crowned as the regular-season conference champions for the last 10 seasons.
But this season is vastly different than in previous years, with a wide-open race for the top spot and a new favorite to rule the Big 12. With conference play getting underway, let’s take a look at how the Big 12 should play out and who Kansas could be passing their crown to.
- Texas Longhorns
Rick Barnes has put together one of the deepest, most experienced and most towering rosters in all of college basketball this season, and they will be back to full-force to kick off conference play with Isaiah Taylor returning to the lineup.
Texas hasn’t shown the offensive firepower to simply win shootouts on a nightly basis, but keep in mind their best offensive weapon has been out for the past 10 games. Additionally, with a team that ranks No. 4 in rebounding, No. 2 in blocks and No. 13 in total defense, outscoring opponents shouldn’t be the talent task in from of the Longhorns.
- Iowa State Cyclones
The thing to keep in mind when discussing Iowa State this season is dangerous offensive options. Fred Hoiberg has created a roster made up by transfers and future NBA talent, which has led to five different guys scoring in double-figures, with a sixth sitting just outside of that average at nine per game.
This well-balanced effort has led to the Cyclones leading the conference in scoring, field goal percentage, three-pointers made and free throw percentage.
The Cyclones lack convincing size in the paint, but when you have the offensive weapons Iowa State does, led by Georges Niang and Bryce Dejean-Jones, you have the most important part of the game, which is scoring.
- Kansas Jayhawks
Bill Self’s Kansas’ squad has arguably been the most intriguing in the conference to this point. An extremely overpowering Kentucky team understandably slaughtered them early on, but then there are showings like their 25-point blowout loss on the road against Temple that really make you question what’s wrong with Kansas.
On the other hand, Kansas has played very well against some other teams in No. 20 Michigan State and No. 13 Utah.
But conference play is where the Jayhawks will be tested on a nightly basis, and it’s where they will fail a few more of those tests than what’s needed to claim their eleventh-straight Big 12 regular-season title.
Between some struggles from key veterans, difficulties knocking down shots at a high rate, and being moderately limited inside, the Jayhawks won’t have the size or fire power to snag more victories than Iowa State and Texas.
- Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma is a team that could very easily contend for the conference title, as they’ve got a great mix of depth a star-power. Buddy Hield and Isaiah Cousins make for one of the most explosive backcourts in college basketball, while Ryan Spangler is a near walking double double down low.
The Sooners have a high-powered offense that can put up points with the best of them, but Texas, Kansas and Iowa State each have multiple options to choose between throughout the game, and have the defensive efforts to match. Oklahoma will be good, but just not good enough to finish among the conference elites.
- West Virginia Mountaineers
Not very many teams in college basketball have a true star at point guard, and even fewer have the best point guard in their conference. But West Virginia is one of those teams, and Juwan Staten will be the reason the Mountaineers finish in the better half of a loaded conference.
Bob Huggins is coaching a team with veteran leadership in the right positions and some well-rounded contributions around the board. If they were any other conference outside of the ACC, West Virginia could potentially compete for a conference crown. Unfortunately, their simply a middle-of-the-pack club in the Big 12.
- Baylor Bears
There weren’t many expectations for Baylor coming into this season, and understandably so after losing some key pieces in Isaiah Austin, Cory Jefferson and Brady Heslip.
But between some selfless basketball with 15.8 assists per game, tremendous rebounding that ranks No. 12 in the country and a surprisingly loaded and physical frontcourt, the Bears have found themselves ranked and have the toughness to keep it that way throughout the season. And it never hurts when six guys are scoring at least 8.3 points per game.
- Oklahoma State Cowboys
Despite being off to a 10-2 record this season, Oklahoma State isn’t a team that will make too much noise in the Big 12. They are yet to beat anyone of real relevance, which makes his hard to give them too much praise in a conference with six teams currently ranked.
There’s no denying the talent they have with the Big 12’s leading scorer, Le’Bryan Nash, Phil Forte III, Anthony Hickey Jr., and Michael Cobbins, but the supporting cast around them isn’t very strong and that will be their downfall.
- Kansas State Wildcats
Not many could have expected Kansas State to be struggling to stay above .500 like they have to this point, but that’s been the sad reality for the Marcus Foster-led Wildcats. Kansas State has dropped games to quality opponents and less-notable teams alike, and is yet to beat anybody really worth mentioning.
Things are only going to grow increasingly difficult during conference play, but the efforts of guys like Foster, Nino Williams and Thomas Gipson should be enough for Kansas State to steal a few wins and be the best of the bottom-feeders in the Big 12.
- TCU Horned Frogs
Let’s take our hats off to the only undefeated team remaining in college basketball’s best conference; the 13-0 TCU Horned Frogs. Now go ahead and put those hats back on because the fun is soon to end for TCU.
They’re certainly better than they were last season when they failed to register a single win after conference play began, but the talent and depth TCU has to offer simply doesn’t stack up with almost everyone in the conference, which is why things are going to start getting ugly in Forth Worth, quickly.
- Texas Tech Red Raiders
Just as with TCU, things are going to get ugly for Texas Tech, and that begins tonight when Texas comes to town. They’ve managed 10 wins to this point against some very underwhelming opposition, but they get to face ranked conference foes in 11 of their first 15 games, which will all likely be losses.
The Red Raiders have some nice pieces in Devaugntah Williams and Robert Turner, but as a whole, they will be outmatched in every game they play from this point on, playing the role of tremendous underdogs.