College Hoops Today

Serving College Basketball 365 Days a Year

5 questions entering the Big 12

College basketball season is almost here!

Between now and Nov. 6th, we’ll take an in-depth look at different conferences around the country.

Today’s focus is on the Big 12:

1. Can anyone challenge Kansas?
It’s possible, but it doesn’t seem likely. The marriage between Bill Self and Michigan transfer Hunter Dickinson is destined for great things and the Jayhawks also have a point guard that’s already won a national title in Dajuan Harris. KJ Adams and Kevin McCullar also return as key utility players. Four-star freshman Elmarko Jackson and Towson transfer Nick Timberlake (17.7 points) are quality options for Self to use alongside Harris on the perimeter. As of today, it’s hard to see any team in this conference challenging Kansas for a Big 12 regular season title during the upcoming year.

2. How will Houston handle the transition from the American Athletic Conference?
It wouldn’t make much sense to bet against Kelvin Sampson, but it’s hard to ignore the fact that the Cougars are stepping up a weight class by joining the Big 12. In the last eight seasons, Houston has won 79 percent of its regular season games in the American Athletic Conference — that’s utterly absurd. The competition that this program will now encounter in January and February in the Big 12 will be drastically different and much more formidable. Eight teams from the Big 12 are currently ranked in the Top 42 of the ROTHSTEIN 45. The Cougars’ ability to navigate this mission will be one of the more fascinating stories to follow during the upcoming college basketball season.

3. Are Baylor’s guards good enough?
It’s the million dollar question in Waco. Scott Drew’s frontcourt combination of Jalen Bridges and Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua is good enough to match up with any power forward/center tandem in college basketball, but the Bears’ perimeter is unproven. RayJ Dennis (Toledo), Jayden Nunn (VCU), and freshman Ja’Kobe Walter will try and replace an explosive backcourt that featured Keyonte George, Adam Flagler, and LJ Cryer. Baylor’s perimeter will ultimately determine how high it finishes in the Big 12 standings. 

4. Will Cincinnati return to the NCAA Tournament picture?
TBD. The Bearcats advanced to nine straight NCAA Tournaments from 2011-19 under current UCLA head coach Mick Cronin, but haven’t been back since. Wes Miller has done a solid job in his first two years with the Bearcats (41-28 overall), but has yet to put Cincinnati in position to hear its name called on Selection Sunday. He now will attempt to trade wits with some of the best coaches in the sport in what has unequivocally been the best conference in college basketball. 

5. Who is the sleeper?
Texas Tech. Grant McCasland won an average of 22.5 games during his six years as the head coach of North Texas and he’s expected to follow a similar path in Lubbock. Don’t be surprised if it begins this season. The Red Raiders quietly did quality work via the transfer portal, adding a pair of starters from Arizona State in Devan Cambridge and Warren Washington along with West Virginia transfer Joe Toussaint. Nevada transfer Darrion Williams (7.6 points, 7.3 rebounds) also arrives with proven production at the collegiate level while sophomore guard Pop Isaacs (11.5 points) boasts all-conference caliber ability. McCasland has enough to get Texas Tech to the NCAA Tournament in 2024.

Leftovers