Summer time means a look ahead to next season!
Each week moving forward, we will preview at least one conference in college basketball from soup to nuts.
Check below for today’s breakdown on the Big 12.
Big 12 Preseason Power Rankings
1. Kansas
Projected Starting 5:
G Dajuan Harris
G AJ Storr
F Rylan Griffen
F KJ Adams
C Hunter Dickinson
Projected Bench: Jamari McDowell, Flory Bidunga, Rakease Passmore, Elmarko Jackson (injured), Zeke Mayo, Shakeel Moore
Key Newcomers: Flory Bidunga, Rakease Passmore, Zeke Mayo (South Dakota State), AJ Storr (Wisconsin), Rylan Griffen (Alabama), Shakeel Moore (Mississippi State)
Key Losses: Nick Timberlake, Parker Braun, Kevin McCullar, Johnny Furphy
2. Houston
Projected Starting 5:
G Milos Uzan
G LJ Cryer
G Emanuel Sharp
F Ja’vier Francis
C J’Wan Roberts
Projected Bench: Joseph Tugler, Terrance Arceneaux, Ramon Walker, Kordelius Jefferson, Jacob McFarland, Mylik Wilson, Chase McCarty, Mercy Miller
Key Newcomers: Chase McCarty, Mercy Miller, Milos Uzan (Oklahoma)
Key Losses: Damian Dunn, Jamal Shead
3. Baylor
Projected Starting 5:
G Jeremy Roach
G Jayden Nunn
G V.J. Edgecombe
G Langston Love
C Norchad Omier
Projected Bench: Rob Wright, Jason Asemota, Josh Ojianwuna, Jalen Celestine, Marino Dubravcic
Key Newcomers: Rob Wright, Jason Asemota, Jeremy Roach (Duke), Norchad Omier (Miami), Jalen Celestine (Cal), Marino Dubravcic
Key Losses: RayJ Dennis, Ja’Kobe Walter, Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua, Yves Missi, Jalen Bridges
4. Iowa State
Projected Starting 5:
G Tamin Lipsey
G Keshon Gilbert
G Curtis Jones
F Milan Momcilovic
C Dishon Jackson
Projected Bench: JT Rock, Demarion Watson, Dwayne Pierce, Nojus Indruaitis, Nate Heise, Brandton Chatfield, Joshua Jefferson
Key Newcomers: Dwayne Pierce, Nojus Indruaitis, Dishon Jackson (Charlotte), Nate Heise (Northern Iowa), Brandton Chatfield (Seattle), Joshua Jefferson (Saint Mary’s)
Key Losses: Hason Ward, Robert Jones, Tre King
5. Arizona
Projected Starting 5:
G Jaden Bradley
G Caleb Love
G KJ Lewis
F Trey Townsend
C Motiejus Krivas
Projected Bench: Carter Bryant, Henri Veesaar, Conrad Martinez, Emmanuel Stephen, Tobe Awaka, Anthony Dell’Orso
Key Newcomers: Carter Bryant, Emmanuel Stephen, Trey Townsend (Oakland), Tobe Awaka (Tennessee), Anthony Dell’Orso (Campbell)
Key Losses: Keshad Johnson, Oumar Ballo, Ky Boswell, Pelle Larsson
6. Cincinnati
Projected Starting 5:
G Day Day Thomas
G Simas Lukosius
G Dan Skillings
F Dillon Mitchell
C Aziz Bandaogo
Projected Bench: CJ Fredrick, Josh Reed, Rayvon Griffith, Tyler Betsey, Tyler McKinley, Connor Hickman, Arrinten Page, Jizzle James
Key Newcomers: Tyler Betsey, Tyler McKinley, Connor Hickman (Bradley), Arrinten Page (USC), Dillon Mitchell (Texas)
Key Losses: John Newman, Ody Oguama, Jamille Reynolds, Viktor Lakhin
7. Texas Tech
Projected Starting 5:
G Elijah Hawkins
G Chance McMillian
F Darrion Williams
F JT Toppin
C Federiko Federiko
Projected Bench: Eemeli Yalaho, Kerwin Walton, Kevin Overton, Christian Anderson, Devan Cambridge
Key Newcomers: Elijah Hawkins (Minnesota), Federiko Federiko (Pitt), Kevin Overton (Drake), Christian Anderson, JT Toppin (New Mexico)
Key Losses: Joe Toussaint, Warren Washington, Pop Isaacs
8. Kansas State
Projected Starting 5:
G Dug McDaniel
G Brendan Hausen
F Coleman Hawkins
F Achor Achor
C Ugonna Onyenso
Projected Bench: Macaleab Rich, David Castillo, David N’Guessan, Baye Fall, CJ Jones, Max Jones, Mogi Ikegwuruka, Taj Manning
Key Newcomers: David Castillo, Coleman Hawkins (Illinois), Achor Achor (Samford), Ugonna Onyenso (Kentucky), Baye Fall (Arkansas), Dug McDaniel (Michigan), Brendan Hausen (Villanova), CJ Jones (UIC), Max Jones (Cal State Fullerton), Mogi Ikegwuruka (JUCO)
Key Losses: Tylor Perry, Cam Carter, Arthur Kaluma, Will McNair
9. BYU
Projected Starting 5:
G Dallin Hall
G Trevin Knell
G Egor Demin
F Mawot Mag
C Fousseyni Traore
Projected Bench: Keba Keita, Richie Saunders, Dawson Baker, Elijah Crawford, Brody Kozlowski, Townsend Tripple, Jared McGregor, Kanon Catchings
Key Newcomers: Keba Keita (Utah), Mawot Mag (Rutgers), Egor Demin, Elijah Crawford, Brody Kozlowski, Kanon Catchings
Key Losses: Jaxson Robinson, Spencer Johnson, Noah Waterman, Aly Khalifa, Atiki Ally Atiki
10. Arizona State
Projected Starting 5:
G Alston Mason
G Adam Miller
G Joson Sanon
G BJ Freeman
F Jayden Quaintance
Projected Bench: Amier Ali, Brandon Gardner, Basheer Jihad, Austin Nunez, Shawn Phillips, Brycen Long
Key Newcomers: Jayden Quaintance, Josan Sanon, Amier Ali, Brandon Gardner (USC), BJ Freeman (Milwaukee), Austin Nunez (Ole Miss), Alston Mason (Missouri State), Basheer Jihad (Miami Ohio)
Key Losses: Frankie Collins, Jamiya Neal
11. UCF
Projected Starting 5:
G Darius Johnson
G Jaylin Sellers
G Mikey Williams
F Keyshawn Hall
C Moustapha Thiam
Projected Bench: Dior Johnson, Benny Williams, Dallan Coleman, JJ Taylor, Jordan Ivy-Curry, Rokas Jocius, Elijah Hulsewe, Cameron Simpson, Nils Machowski, Tyler Hendricks
Key Newcomers: Moustapha Thiam, Mikey Williams, Benny Williams (Syracuse), Dallan Coleman (Georgia Tech), JJ Taylor (Memphis), Jordan Ivy-Curry (UTSA), Keyshawn Hall (George Mason), Rokas Jocius (La Salle), Elijah Hulsewe (Bethune Cookman), Cameron Simpson, Dior Johnson (JUCO)
Key Losses: None
12. TCU
Projected Starting 5:
G Frankie Collins
G Brendan Wenzel
G Noah Reynolds
F Trazarien White
C Ernest Udeh
Projected Bench: Vasean Allette, RJ Jones, Micah Robinson, David Punch, Malick Diallo, Ashton Simmons, Jace Posey, Isaiah Manning
Key Newcomers: Frankie Collins (Arizona State), Trazerian White (UNCW), Noah Reynolds (Green Bay), Brendan Wenzel (Wyoming), RJ Jones (Kansas State), Vasean Allette (Old Dominion), Micah Robinson, David Punch, Malick Diallo, Ashton Simmons
Key Losses: Emmanuel Miller, Jameer Nelson Jr., Micah Peavy, JaKobe Coles
13. Colorado
Projected Starting 5:
G Julian Hammond
G Javon Ruffin
F Andrej Jakimovski
F Assane Diop
C Bangot Dak
Projected Bench: Trevor Baskin, Elijah Malone, Andrew Crawford, Sebastian Rancik, Felix Kossaras, Nick Randall, Harrison Carrington, Greg Gerhardt, Courtney Anderson Jr., RJ Smith
Key Newcomers: Andrej Jakimovski (Washington State), Trevor Baskin (Colorado Mesa), Elijah Malone (Grace College), Andrew Crawford, Sebastian Rancik, Felix Kossaras
Key Losses: KJ Simpson, Eddie Lampkin, Cody Williams, Tristan da Silva, J’Vonne Hadley, Luke O’Brien
14. Utah
Projected Starting 5:
G Miro Little
G Gabe Madsen
G Mike Sharavjamts
F Ezra Ausar
C Lawson Lovering
Projected Bench: Mason Madsen, Keanu Dawes, Zach Keller, Caleb Lohner, Ayodide Bamisile, Hunter Erickson, Jayden Teat, Brady Smith,
Key Newcomers: Miro Little (Baylor), Mason Madsen (Boston College), Mike Sharavjamts (San Francisco), Ezra Ausar (East Carolina), Keanu Dawes (Rice), Zach Keller (Wake Forest), Caleb Lohner (Baylor), Jaxon Johnson, David Katoa
Key Losses: Branden Carlson, Deivon Smith, Rollie Worster, Keba Keita, Cole Bajema
15. West Virginia
Projected Starting 5:
G Javon Small
G Jayden Stone
G Tobi Okani
G Tucker DeVries
C Amani Hansberry
Projected Bench: Eduardo Andre, Sencire Harris, Joseph Yesufu, Emerson Tenner, Jonathan Powell, Ofri Naveh
Key Newcomers: Emerson Tenner, Jonathan Powell, Dylan Jay, Javon Small (Oklahoma State), Sencire Harris (Illinois), Amani Hansberry (Illinois), Eduardo Andre (Fresno State), Jayden Stone (Detroit), Toby Okani (UIC), Tucker DeVries (Drake), Joseph Yesufu (Washington State)
Key Losses: RaeQuan Battle, Jesse Edwards, Quinn Slazinski, Kerr Kriisa
16. Oklahoma State
Projected Starting 5:
G Marchelus Avery
G Davonte Davis
G Bryce Thompson
F Patrick Suemnick
C Abou Ousmane
Projected Bench: Brandon Newman, Arturo Dean, Khalil Brantley, Robert Jennings, Connor Dow, Jamyron Keller
Key Newcomers: Brandon Newman (Western Kentucky), Davonte Davis (Arkansas), Abou Ousmane (Xavier), Robert Jennings (Texas Tech), Arturo Dean (FIU), Khalil Brantley (La Salle), Marchelus Avery (UCF), Patrick Suemnick (West Virginia)
Key Losses: Javon Small, Eric Dailey, John-Michael Wright
All-Big 12 Preseason First-Team
Tamin Lipsey, Iowa State
LJ Cryer, Houston
Caleb Love, Arizona
Norchad Omier, Baylor
Hunter Dickinson, Kansas
Big 12 Preseason Player of the Year
Hunter Dickinson, Kansas
Big 12 Preseason Sleeper
UCF
10 Impact Big 12 Freshmen
*In no particular order
VJ Edgecombe, Baylor
Carter Bryant, Arizona
Flory Bidunga, Kansas
Mercy Miller, Houston
Mikey Williams, UCF
Egor Demin, BYU
Kanon Catchings, BYU
David Castillo, Kansas State
Joson Sanon, Arizona State
Jayden Quaintance, Arizona State
5 Under-The-Radar Big 12 Freshmen
*In no particular order
Rob Wright, Baylor
Tyler Betsey, Cincinnati
Moustapha Thiam, UCF
Rakease Passmore, Kansas
Nojus Indusaitis, Iowa State
15 Impact Big 12 Transfers
*In no particular order
AJ Storr, Kansas (Wisconsin)
Rylan Griffen, Kansas (Alabama)
Zeke Mayo, Kansas (South Dakota State)
Milos Uzan, Houston (Oklahoma)
Jeremy Roach, Baylor (Duke)
Norchad Omier, Baylor (Miami)
Trey Townsend, Arizona (Oakland)
Tobe Awaka, Arizona (Tennessee)
Elijah Hawkins, Texas Tech (Minnesota)
JT Toppin, Texas Tech (New Mexico)
Dug McDaniel, Kansas State (Michigan)
Coleman Hawkins, Kansas State (Illinois)
Frankie Collins, TCU (Arizona State)
Javon Small, West Virginia (Oklahoma State)
Tucker DeVries, West Virginia (Drake)
15 Under-The-Radar Big 12 Transfers
*In no particular order
Dishon Jackson, Iowa State (Washington State)
Joshua Jefferson, Iowa State (Saint Mary’s)
Federiko Federiko, Texas Tech (Pitt)
Brendan Hausen, Kansas State (Villanova)
Achor Achor, Kansas State (Samford)
Ugonna Onyenso, Kansas State (Kentucky)
Keba Keita, BYU (Utah)
Mawot Mag, BYU (Rutgers)
BJ Freeman, Arizona State (Milwaukee)
Alston Mason, Arizona State (Missouri State)
Keyshawn Hall, UCF (George Mason)
Noah Reynolds, TCU (Green Bay)
Andrej Jakimovski, Colorado (Washington State)
Amani Hansberry, West Virginia (Illinois)
Davonte Davis, Oklahoma State (Arkansas)
10 Big 12 Breakout Players
*In no particular order
*A player is not eligible to be on a breakout list if he has previously averaged in double figures
Terrance Arceneaux, Houston
Joseph Tugler, Houston
Josh Ojianwuna, Baylor
Jaden Bradley, Arizona
KJ Lewis, Arizona
Jizzle James, Cincinnati
Ernest Udeh, TCU
Lawson Lovering, Utah
Julian Hammond, Colorado
Assane Diop, Colorado
Leftovers
- The Breakfast Buffet: Alabama, Baha Mar Bahamas Hoops Championship, Memphis head to West Coast
- The Breakfast Buffet: The curtain comes up for Illinois against Alabama, Zhuric Phelps, top of ACC feels like a mystery after Duke and North Carolina
- The Breakfast Buffet: Kam Jones against Braden Smith, Cincinnati hits the road, Speedy Claxton
- Episode 473 — Arizona’s Tommy Lloyd
- The Breakfast Buffet: Gonzaga/San Diego State, Kadary Richmond, Mikey Lewis
