“The waiting is the hardest part.” – Tom Petty
College basketball is at a standstill.
The NCAA’s announcement that Aug. 3rd is the new early entry withdrawal date for the 2020 NBA Draft means that we’re going to have to wait three more weeks until we have full clarity for the 20-21 college basketball season.
Not to worry, between now and then we will break down one conference each week from soup to nuts.
This week we’ll feature the Big 12.
The rankings below will be altered immediately if there’s any personnel changes.
Check below for a comprehensive list of power rankings, projected lineups, and much more:
1. Baylor
Projected Starting 5:
G Jared Butler
G Davion Mitchell
G MaCio Teague
F Mark Vital
C Tristan Clark
Key Losses: Freddie Gillespie, Devonte Bandoo
Key Newcomers: Dain Dainja, L.J. Cryer, Zach Loveday, Adam Flagler (Presbyterian), Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua (UNLV)
Sit Out Transfers: None
Projected Bench: Dain Dainja, L.J. Cryer, Matthew Mayer, Adam Flagler, Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua, Jordan Turner, Flo Thamba
2020 NBA Draft Watch: MaCio Teague (will go through draft process), Jared Butler (will go through draft process)
The Skinny: Anything less than the Final Four will be a disappointment for the Bears if both Butler and Teague return to school.
2. Kansas
Projected Starting 5:
G Marcus Garrett
G Bryce Thompson
F Ochai Agbaji
F Silvio de Sousa
C David McCormack
Key Losses: Devon Dotson, Udoka Azubuike, Isaiah Moss
Key Newcomers: Bryce Thompson, Latrell Jossell, Gethro Muscadin, Tyon Grant-Foster (JUCO)
Sit Out Transfers: None
Projected Bench: Mitch Lightfoot, Dajuan Harris, Jalen Wilson, Tristan Enaruna, Latrell Jossell, Gethro Muscadin, Tyon-Grant Foster, Christian Braun
2020 NBA Draft Watch: None
The Skinny: Bill Self doesn’t have what he had last season, but he’s still got enough to win the Big 12 and earn a high seed in the NCAA Tournament.
3. Texas
Projected Starting 5:
G Matt Coleman
G Courtney Ramey
G Andrew Jones
F Greg Brown
F Kai Jones
Key Losses: None
Key Newcomers: Greg Brown
Sit Out Transfers: None
Projected Bench: Kamaka Hepa, Jase Febres, Will Baker, Brock Cunningham, Royce Hamm, Gerald Liddell, Donovan Williams, Jericho Sims
2020 NBA Draft Watch: None
The Skinny: Everything is aligned for Shaka Smart to have his best season yet in Austin.
4. West Virginia
Projected Starting 5:
G Miles McBride
G Kedrian Johnson
F Emmitt Matthews
F Derek Culver
C Oscar Tshiebwe
Key Losses: Jermaine Haley, Chase Harler, Logan Routt
Key Newcomers: Isaiah Cottrell, Taj Thweatt, Kedrian Johnson (JUCO), Jalen Bridges (redshirt)
Sit Out Transfers: None
Projected Bench: Sean McNeil, Jalen Bridges, Taz Sherman, Gabe Osabuohien, Isaiah Cottrell, Taj Thweatt, Jordan McCabe
2020 NBA Draft Watch: TBD
The Skinny: No front court duo in college basketball may as physically imposing as the combination of Culver and Tshiebwe.
5. Texas Tech
Projected Starting 5:
G Kyler Edwards
G Nimari Burnett
G Terrance Shannon Jr.
F Joel Ntamwbe
F Marcus Santos-Silva
Key Losses: Jahmi’us Ramsey, Chris Clarke, TJ Holyfield, Davide Moretti
Key Newcomers: Joel Ntambwe (UNLV), Nimari Burnett, Micah Peavy, Chibuzo Agbo, Marcus Santos-Silva (VCU)
Sit Out Transfers: Mac McClung (Georgetown)
Projected Bench: Micah Peavy, Chibuzo Agbo, Kevin McCullar, Tyreek Smith
2020 NBA Draft Watch: None
The Skinny: Three of Chris Beard’s top five scorers from last season — Jahmi’us Ramsey, Davide Moretti, and TJ Holyfield — are gone, but that’s just the way he likes it. Expect a major jump from Shannon as a sophomore.
6. Oklahoma
Projected Starting 5:
G De’Vion Harmon
G Alondes Williams
G Austin Reaves
F Brady Manek
C Kur Kuath
Key Losses: Kristian Doolittle, Jamal Bienemy
Key Newcomers: Trey Phipps
Sit Out Transfers: Umoja Gibson (North Texas), Elijah Harkless (Cal State Northridge)
Projected Bench: Jalen Hill, Victor Iwuakor, Anyang Garang, Trey Phipps, Corbin Merritt
2020 NBA Draft Watch: None
The Skinny: Oklahoma would have played in its seventh NCAA Tournament in eight years last March under Lon Kruger and yet no one is talking about the Sooners entering next season. Go figure.
7. Oklahoma State
Projected Starting 5:
G Cade Cunningham
G Isaac Likekele
G Matthew-Alexander Moncrieffe
F Keylan Boone
F Kalib Boone
Key Losses: Cameron McGriff, Lindy Waters, Thomas Dziagwa
Key Newcomers: Cade Cunningham, Rondel Walker, Montreal Pena, Ferron Flavors (Cal Baptist), Keylan Boone, Donovan Williams, Matthew-Alexander Moncrieffe,, Bernard Kouma (JUCO)
Sit Out Transfers: None
Projected Bench: Rondel Walker, Montreal Pena, Chris Harris, Ferron Flavors, Donovan Williams, Avery Anderson, Bernard Kouma
2020 NBA Draft Watch: None
The Skinny: A back court combination of Cunningham and Likekele will be appointment television, even if Oklahoma State isn’t eligible for the postseason in 2021.
8. TCU
Projected Starting 5:
G Francisco Farabello
G PJ Fuller
G RJ Nembhard
F Kevin Easley
C Kevin Samuel
Key Losses: Desmond Bane, Jaire Grayer, Edric Dennis
Key Newcomers: Terren Frank, Eddie Lampkin, Michael Miles, Charles O’Bannon (USC), Kevin Easley (Chattanooga)
Sit Out Transfers: None
Projected Bench: Jaedon Ledee, Terren Frank, Eddie Lampkin, Michael Miles, Charles O’Bannon, Diante Smith, Taryn Todd, Nikola Vasilevic, Mickey Pearson
2020 NBA Draft Watch: None
The Skinny: Jamie Dixon lost his top offensive threat in Bane, but still has a plethora of capable bodies up front. Don’t be shocked if the Horned Frogs finish higher than this.
9. Iowa State
Projected Starting 5:
G Rasir Bolton
G Tre Jackson
G Jalen Coleman-Lands
F Solomon Young
C George Conditt
Key Losses: Tyrese Haliburton
Key Newcomers: Xavier Foster, Dudley Blackwell, Jaden Walker, Darlinstone Dubar, Jalen Coleman-Lands (DePaul), Javan Johnson (Troy)
Sit Out Transfers: Tyler Harris (Memphis), Blake Hinson (Ole Miss)
Projected Bench: Xavier Foster, Dudley Blackwell, Jaden Walker, Darlinstone Dubar, Javan Johnson, Nate Jenkins
2020 NBA Draft Watch: None
The Skinny: Iowa State’s perimeter will be instantly stabilized if Hinson receives a waiver from the NCAA to play immediately.
10. Kansas State
Projected Starting 5:
G Rueadale Williams
G Dajuan Gordon
G Mike McGuirl
F Antonio Gordon
F Montavious Murphy
Key Losses: Cartier Diarra, Xavier Sneed, Makol Mawien, David Sloan
Key Newcomers: Nijel Pack, Selton Miguel, Davion Bradford, Rueadale Williams (JUCO), Luke Kasubke, Carlton Linguard (JUCO), Seryee Lewis, Kaosi Ezeagu (UTEP)
Sit Out Transfers: None
Projected Bench: Nijel Pack, Selton Miguel, Davion Bradford, Rueadale Williams, Luke Kasubke, Carlton Linguard, Seryee Lewis, Kaosi Ezeagu, Joe Petrakis
2020 NBA Draft Watch: None
The Skinny: It feels like a full fledged rebuild in Manhattan.
