2023 | Preseason Preview | Big 12 Conference

[TuscanSota]

Hey everyone,

I've dropped the ball on this due to other obligations, here's today's preview for the Big 12:

 

14.  Oklahoma State | Ovr: 146 | Off.: 158 | Def.: 105

Oklahoma State left the dance early last year and will have an up-hill battle this year to make it back. This team on paper appears to be a jumbo squad, considering there's only one guard (PG John Catron) and at least six Center's on board. James Brown and Jamie Parker are the team's best chances at getting boards, because they will need plenty of opportunities to put points down. The Cowboys should be a presence close to the basket, this roster can't make any other type of shot.

 

13.  Texas Tech | Ovr.: 139 | Off.: 94 | Def.: 154

Last year's Tech squad couldn't hit double-digit wins, and are slighted to struggle this year as well. The one saving grace for the Red Raiders is that they have a one-hit wonder in Senior C Brandon Duckett. He is a terrifying presence near the basket, an excellent ballhandler, and outstanding defensive presence. Beyond that the Red Raiders will likely rely on talented mid-range SG Todd Szmurlo for any shots near the perimeter. This Raiders team is a little lopsided, but should be faster paced this year. They will need to be if they want to improve on last year's 9th (of 10) place.

12.  UCF | Ovr.: 135 | Off.: 129 | Def.: 126

The Golden Knights enter Big 12 play towards the bottom of the conference. Considering they missed the tournament last year and went 8th in AAC play last year, I wasn't expecting them to be predicted at the very top. The Knights at best have a couple of great players, but their roster past PGs Ramin Scott and Leon Williams is dearth at best. This team should be excellent at 2 pointers and ball handling; and their starting Center looks like a poised defender (Jr C William Morro). With how talented this conference is, the Knights will need more than three good players to be competitive.

11.  Kansas State | Ovr.: 115 | Off.: 107 | Def.: 111

The Wildcats' season ended early at 14-15 with an early exit in the conference tournament. This year's squad at a glance looks much better, especially at mid-range shooting and the perimeter defense. Sr C Qiang Ramirez (fantastic name) is the prototypical veteran center whom most teams would want -- great rebounder, a menace at defending the rim. The Wildcats primary shooters appear to be Sr PG Andre Wertz and Sr PF Jack Adkins. They're fantastic at mid-range, and complement each other with 3pt shooting and driving the ball to the basket respectively. The big takeaway I'd put here is the Wildcats as a team aren't great at defending the interior, nor do they have a lot of good rebounders. Plenty of teams on this list will take advantage of that.

10.  Oklahoma | Ovr.: 99 | Off.: 87 | Def.: 119

Sooner Basketball won't look any better this year. Last year's team went 13-17 (7-10 in conference); and this year's roster is a motley of very good and very bad. Jr SG Cuong Huang looks like make a jump this year as an offensive playmaker - this ability to pass the ball and shoot 3's is near the top of the list of the big 12. Beyond Huang, Sr PF William Vaccarezza and Sr PF Yu Harte as playmakers, the Sooners are picking straws. Their Centers offer a solid defense at the very least - I just expect the sooners to lean on the three players mentioned above if they attempt any type of shot.

9.  West Virginia | Ovr.: 81 | Off.: 54 | Def.: 110

West Virginia's team is very different from last season's Mountaineer squad. Last year's squad went 2nd in Big 12 play and left the postseason tournament very early. It was an arguably veteran-heavy roster. This year's team is a near opposite - West Virginia's strength is in their younger players, and this season will be a reflection of it. The Mountaineers bring in a fantastic class of Rookies including 4* SG Jay McKenzie, 3* PG Eric Daus, 4* C Shankar Chen, 4* SF Aksel Barstad, and 4* PF Lawerence Elam. Barstad, Chen, and Daus are currently redshirted, but the likes of Elam and McKenzie are poised to earn several minutes per game this season. Elam's defensive capabilities are a must for the Mountaineers team, and will be paired well with Sophomore C Donald Pannell - the team's best defensemen. McKenzie is a fantastic mid-range shooter who should play off wel alongside Jr SF Clarence Murphy and So SG Rufus Fletcher. The prediction algorithm rated WVU at 9th; albeit I think @smackemz's team has a lot of upside, both this season and next year to be a top team in the Big 12.

8.  TCU | Ovr.: 78 | Off.: 61 | Def.: 96

@Giambro's Horned Frogs were one of the Big 12's many playoff tournament contenders - and one of the many to leave the tournament early. The Horned Frogs this year have a much smaller roster (only one freshmen joined last year); and with that, they should be relying on their seniors for this year.  Sr PG Rob O'Connor (distant cousin to 5* QB Jake O'Connor) is an excellent offensive option who really needs better endurance to make the most of his playmaking; The Frogs do have Jr PF Sean Anderson and Jr PG Paul Cottrell to rely on as primary playmakers due to this; just not as a great as Rob should be this season. The Horned Frogs still have former 5* Sophomore PF Lawrence Munoz as their best defensemen, and he should get plenty of minutes this season too. The Horned Frogs should be in the mix; outside of these three players one should hope is enough talent for the Frogs to play for #1 in the Big 12.

7.  BYU | Ovr.: 66 | Off.: 77 | Def.: 68

One of the top teams in the WCC joins the Big 12 this year; and one thing they ironically have in common with some of the top teams is the fact they also left the dance early. The Cougars are another dark horse contender in the Big 12 and there are two very good reasons why: Sr PG Todd Bailey and Jr C Jamie Witt. Both are predicted to be NBA draft picks next season and will be a delight to watch on the court. Bailey's playmaking ability is excellent on nearly all fronts, especially as a 3pt shooter. Witt's biggest strengths are his rebounding ability and ability to drive to the basket. The Cougars have plenty of great talent with Jr PG Jason Pressley and So SF Daniel Morrell as secondary offensive options. Of the freshmen, I could see Fr SG Joshua Peacock making minutes as he is supposedly a good 3pt and dunk enthusiast. The Cougars talent-wise crowds the Big 12 a bit further; and while Bailey and Witt provide a lot of upside for the cougars, they will need to make their way through the crowded top of the conference if they want to win.

6.  Baylor | Ovr.: 63 | Off.: 38 | Def.: 107

Last year's Big 12 Conference Tournament Champions are in the middle of the top. @Vivid's team this year is a mix of veteran players who's experience will be key for another run at the Big 12 title. Sr PG Thomas McDonald is the bear's best option on offense, and Jr SG Bobby Powers and redshirt Jr PF Patrick Collins are no further behind. Sr C Mark Ralston is another great defensive anchor for htis team, and is also projected to be an NBA draft pick come next season. The Bears are redshirting most of their freshmen class save for Fr SG Robert Richards, who may be able to earn some playing time in this year's veteran-heavy lineup. The Bears offense should leave team's guessing this year; although their defense will need to pick up the slack with the other top teams in the conference. The Bears have every reason to win the Big 12; but the bears will need their defense to show this season for a repeat.

 

5.  Cincinnati | Ovr.: 107 | Off.: 104 | Def.: 29

Cincinnati goes from the middle of the American to one of the top challengers for the Big 12. For a team that didn't make the playoffs last year, this is a surprise. All that oen has to look at is their defense - the Bearcats have a top 30 overall defense. There are several players on this Bearcats roster that will make offenses struggle this year when they visit Cincinnati. Jr C Stephen Johnson is the best defenseman, but Jr C Thomas Powell is a much better rebounder. Sr PG Stephen Sturgis and Sr SG Vipul Fritsche are the team's primary offensive playmakers, and should excel from the mid-range and beyond. Their offense isn't outstanding, and it could keep the Bearcats from winning close games, which they will find themselves in plenty of times. If the Bearcats can slow down games, they will be a threat this season.

4.  Houston | Ovr.: 49 | Off.: 79 | Def.: 43

Another team from the American joins the Big 12, and one of the only current Big 12 teams to go past the Round of 64 in the postseason tournament. Houston is a less extreme Cincinnati - slightly better on offense, slightly worse on defense. Overall, better rated. The Cougars will be relying on Sr C Thomas Kesler's ability to defend the rim and grab boards to keep Cougars in play, and it will be Sr PF Michael Self's shooting ability to keep the Cougs in games. Jr PG Larry Footman is another great offensive option and should be the Cougars' go-to player for 3pt shooting. The lineup for the Cougars will likely be smaller than some teams - but outside their veteran players, their freshmen should earn plenty of minutes and keep the Cougars in competitive company in the Big 12. Coach @mahrowkeen has a good squad on hand and a good chance to win big.

3.  Iowa State | Ovr.: 37 | Off.: 45 | Def.: 31

I don't know if @Qupax is here - but if he is, he should be excited. Last year's Iowa State team was dead last in the Big 12 last season, and are now predicted to be #3 in Big 12 play this year. Jr SF Craig Bennett, a former 5 star, is predicted to have a breakout year for the Cyclones and is their best playmaker on both sides of the ball. An excellent defenseman with a great 3pt shot, and one who will wow Cyclone fans in Ames. Sr C Justin Wright and Jr C Jimmy Thomas will be grabbing boards for the Cyclones this year as the top defensive players; and Wright is appearing to be the Cyclones' second best option. The Cyclones will be a dominant force near the basket, and their perimeter defense will likely be terrifying to face against. Iowa State will be on a revenge tour and the last leg could very well be a playoff appearance.

2.  Texas | Ovr.: 26 | Off.: 43 | Def.: 12

If you're in Austin, Texas at some point this season, I suggest you go to a Longhorns game. Texas may have a swan-song of a season before they leave the best basketball conference for the SEC. The longhorns didn't make the tournament last season, with only 12 wins and 17 losses; and their senior players could very well get them to a Big 12 Championship before they bounce. Jr PG Erwin Mitchell is the Longhorn's best offensive option on the perimeter - a great midrange jumper and an eye for the 3 point shot. Jr PG Nichaolas porter is another 3pt specialist with a unique ability to grab a rebound. The Longhorns will rely defensively on the talents of So C's Troy Dyer and Joel Weaver; though Dyer has a much better upside on the offensive side near the basket. The Longhorns key strengths will be their ability to finish near the basket, their ability to rebound the ball, and their ability to turnover the ball. And I think when teams visit in Austin, teams will struggle with turnovers; and for the Big 12, the Longhorns won't make it easy.

1.  Kansas | Ovr.: 3 | Off.: 2 | Def.: 24

Death, taxes, Kansas being predicted #1 in the Big 12. Last year's Kansas squad was #1 in Big 12 play, lost the Big 12 tournament, and lost to last year's cinderella team #16 seed Louisiana Tech. Jayhawks fans will have plenty of boast this year though, because coach @Bundy's team is #3 in the nation. How? Why? I'll tell you why... they got depth. And also, a lot of redshirted players. Kansas brought in one of the top classes last year and they will certainly be in rotation this year with this team's veterans. Fr C Dallas Marshall is the most likely to earn minutes with his defensive abilities, and Fr PF Chirstopher Blankenship is an excellent rebounder and ball handler in his own right. At the very top of this team, are several fantastic mid-range shooters. You've got Jr SF Louis Carter, a projected top NBA pick next season; you have redshirt Jr PG Jimmi Coleman, Sr SF Donald Perez, redshirt So SF Joe Allen, So PG Joseph Wingard, So PG Kevin Lukacs, Fr SG Christopher Cribbs -- all capable of being a threat at the mid-range. With rebounds, you have Louis Carter, redshirt Sophomore C Simon Woods, Donald Perez, and others as all potential rebounders. On paper, the Jayhawks could gameplan on having any of their players break out. That's why they're here at #1 in the Big 12 ranks, and as one of the top teams in the nation.