This is the 4th version of this mini-series. Here are the Big Ten, Pac 12, and ACC versions.
The Big 12 has been a consistent basketball powerhouse for a few years now, with Kansas leading the way with ten consecutive Big 12 regular season championships. Kansas will be reloading, and every other team will be retooling as well. The conference had seven teams make the NCAA tournament, with Baylor and Iowa State both losing in the Sweet Sixteen. While that kind of performance was pretty disappointing for the conference, and left a bad taste in every team’s mouth. Not every team will live up to expectations, though.
Overrated and Underrated: Big 12 Basketball Ratings
Underrated: Texas Longhorns
Rick Barnes has done a good job of recruiting talent in the last few years, and it’s going to pay off this year. The Longhorns went 24-11 (11-7 conference) and beat Arizona State on a buzzer-beater during the NCAA tournament. They are bringing back Jonathan Holmes (12.8 PPG & 7.2 RPG), Isaiah Taylor (12.7 PPG & 4.0 APG), Javan Felix (11.6 PPG), and Cameron Ridley (11.2 PPG & 8.2 RPG). That is a lot of experience to pair up with five-star PF Myles Turner and four-star SF Jordan Barnett. Then you realize former four-star big men Prince Ibeh and Connor Lammert will be coming off the bench. Barnes has the team to compete for a Big 12 title, but it will all depend on how fast the team gels into one team. They should be striving for the Final Four in the spring.
Overrated: Iowa State Cyclones
It’s really tough to call Iowa State an “overrated” team. They have flown under-the-radar for so many years now. Well it seems as if they are on the map for good. I don’t necessarily think the Iowa State will free-falling the Big 12, but I don’t see them repeating what they did last year. They lost Melvin Ejim (17.8 PPG & 8.4 RPG) and DeAndre Kane (17.1 PPG & 6.8 RPG) to graduation, and what a loss it will be. Georges Niang will be back (16.7 PPG), but one man can only do so much, and his rebounding numbers have to be concerning at 4.5 RPG. Monte Morris did have a good season last year, but he will carry a heavier burden this year. Transfers Bryce Dejean-Jones (UNLV) and Jameel McKay (JC) should help the cause, but finding a true #2 scorer behind Naing will be the difference.
Underrated: Oklahoma State Cowboys
Le’Bryan Nash, who was once thought to be a potential one-and-done, will be the obvious leader of the Cowboys this year, and I think he will excel in that role. While they are losing Marcus Smart (18 PPG) and Markel Brown (17.2 PPG), returning pieces include Nash (13.9 PPG), Phil Forte III (13.3 PPG, .44 3P%), and Kamari Murphy (6.1 PPG). The Cowboys will also add transfer Anthony Hickey (LSU) for some backcourt depth. Hickey could be the difference of Oklahoma State being a bottom-feeding team to contending for top three spot in the conference. Travis Ford picked up a four star SF recruit who is kind of flying under the radar in Joe Burton. Look for him to help the Cowboys early in the year.
Overrated: Kansas State Wildcats
I really do like Bruce Weber as a coach, but I don’t see the Wildcats being a real contender for the Big 12 championship this year. Marcus Foster will get his. He averaged 15.5 PPG last year, and will look to have the ball again this year. Thomas Gipson (11.7 PPG) will also be back. The transfers will be a huge factor in how K-State does this season, as Justin Edwards (Maine), Stephen Hurt (Lipscomb), and Brandon Bolden (Georgetown) will all be eligible this year to help the Wildcats. Despite all that, I don’t see the Foster-led team being able to hang in the upper tier of the conference. The transfers will be true wild cards, and they don’t have any recruits that will be able to make major contributions right away. The Wildcats are a good year or two away in the Webber era to go for a conference championship. This year will be a major stepping stone for how the program directs itself in the future, though.
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