Big 12 Predictions

1.  Texas:  I know Self and KU always take the Big 12 title and I’m probably in the wrong going against them this year, but whatever, I like this Texas team a lot. They return their top 5 scorers and bring in 5-star 7-footer, Myles Turner.  Taylor and Felix run the back court and both are capable of scoring and dishing. Taylor averaged 13 ppg and 4 asp last year, with Felix coming in at 11 and 3.  Junior Demarcus Holland is no slouch either, averaging about 7, 5 and 2 last year as the third guard option.  The front court is loaded as well.  6-7 Homes is back after leading the team in scoring last year.  Then they have center Cam Ridley back, he lead the team in rebounding and is constantly improving his offensive game.  Newcomer Turner should be in the rotation right away and will immediately contribute to an already very balanced team.

2. Kansas:  As always, Kansas enters the season with a ton of talent on the roster.  They lost Embiid and Wiggins from last year, but return most notably Wayne Seldon and Perry Ellis.  Ellis is a talented power forward who will bring experience and consistency to a team with some new pieces.  I thought Seldon was inconsistent last year, however when he played well he showed signs of greatness.  I expect him to be the go-to guy for them this year. Self brings in two immediate-impact freshman in 5-stars Kelly Oubre (6-7) and Cliff Alexander (6-9).  Both of these recruits should live up to their reputation and I expect them to start right away, both having potential of all-league/American honors.  Point guard position is a bit of a question, expect Frank Mason to take on most of the duties there. 

3. Oklahoma:  The Sooners are another team I am high on, I really think the Big 12 is loaded this year.  They return 4 of their top 5 scorers, losing only talented guard Cameron Clark.  Couches in the big 12 have been raving about how much of a monster year Buddy Hield could have.  Expect him to earn all-conference honors.  Cousins returns as well and he can really score the ball too.  Sophomore Jordan Woodard had a big year last year and I expect only improvements from him, averaged over 10 ppg last year and led the team in assists.  As for the front court, they return Spangler who averaged just under a double-double last year.  They bring in 6-8 transfer TaShawn Thomas from Houston, who was an absolute beast last year averaging 15 and 8.  If he can play right away, look out.

4. Iowa State:  Transfers, transfers, transfers.  That’s been the name of the game for the cyclones the past few years.  This year they have Bryce Dejean-Jones, an ex-UNLV guard and man can he score.  I’m expecting 15+ ppg for him this year.  They return Georges Niang from last year and he will be their best all-around player, averaging around 16, 4 and 4 last year.  They also have 6-6 senior Dustin Hogue back and I expect him to be one of their top few players this year.   Someone else to pay attention to is Monte Morris, he looked good in limited minutes last year, and I’m buying the hype on him having a big year as starting PG.

5. Kansas State:  Marcus Foster returns after averaging 15.5 as a freshman, expect him to be in serious consideration for first-team conference honors this year.  They also return 6-7 Thomas Gipson, who was second on the team in scoring last season.  Sophomore Wesley Iwindu also showed a lot of promise as a freshman last year and I expect him to take strides forward as a starter this year.  I really admire the job Bruce Weber has done here since taking over as head coach.

6.  Oklahoma State:  they lose the talented backcourt duo of Smart and Brown from last year, which will hurt, however this team still has a lot of talent.  I still don’t think Le’Bryan Nash has lived up to the hype he had as a recruit yet and this is his team this year, I expect big production from him.  Michael Cobbins returns to the frontcourt from an injury last year and he is strong around the glass.  Guard Phil Forte also returns and he can really shoot the 3 ball, 44% last year. 

7. West Virginia:  Do-it-all guard Juwan Staten will have to put up huge numbers for the mountaineers, and that’s something he is very capable of.  He averaged ~18, 5 and 6 last year and I expect to see a similar line for this season.  Devin Williams returns to the front court after having a promising freshman season.  Gary Browne is a senior guard who will start beside Staten, I have never been really high on him, but he’ll be needed to produce in a team that lacks a lot of talent besides Staten.

8.  Baylor:  I’m not a big Baylor fan, I think they have really underachieved during the regular season in the past.  They lose Jefferson, Heslip and Austin from last year’s team and with them goes most of the scoring.  Chery is back to run the point, he’s a solid player but won’t carry the team.  Gathers is a talent in the front court, and he and Prince should prove to be a reliable duo down low.  Royce O’Neale also returns and he’ll start and play some quality minutes.  I could see the Bears struggling to score over the course of a lot of games.

9.  TCU:  Kyan Anderson is back and he’ll score a bunch.  Shepard had a good freshman year and will be more impactful this season.  Journey-man Trey Zeigler also transferred in and he was once a highly touted recruit, we’ll see if he can find some footing at TCU.

10. Texas Tech:  Lost their top two scorers from a team that was fairly bad last year.  They’re young and inexperienced, hopefully Tubby can figure something out but who knows.