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. Houston
Projected Starting 5:
G Milos Uzan
G Emanuel Sharp
F Ramon Walker
F Joseph Tugler
C Chris Cenac
Projected Bench: Mercy Miller, Kordelius Jefferson, Cedric Lath, Chase McCarty, Jacob McFarland, Isiah Harwell, Kingston Flemings, Bryce Jackson, Kalifa Sakho
Key Newcomers: Chris Cenac, Isiah Harwell, Kingston Flemings, Bryce Jackson, Kalifa Sakho (Sam Houston State)
Key Losses: LJ Cryer, Ja’Vier Francis, J’Wan Roberts, Mylik Wilson
2. BYU
Projected Starting 5:
G Rob Wright
G Kennard Davis Jr.
G Richie Saunders
F AJ Dybantsa
C Keba Keita
Projected Bench: Brody Kozlowski, Xavion Staton, Dominique Diomande, Mihailo Boskovic, Dawson Baker, Tyler Mrus, Nate Pickens, Aleksej Kostic
Key Newcomers: AJ Dybantsa, Xavion Staton, Dominique Diomande (Washington), Kennard Davis Jr. (Southern Illinois), Tyler Mrus (Idaho), Nate Pickens (UC Riverside), Aleksej Kostic
Key Losses: Trevin Knell, Mawot Mag, Fousseyni Traore, Egor Demin, Kanon Catchings
3. Texas Tech
Projected Starting 5:
G Christian Anderson
G Donovan Atwell
G LeJuan Watts
F JT Toppin
C Luke Bamgboye
Projected Bench: Marial Akuentok, Jazz Henderson, Leon Horner, Tyree Bryan, Luke Bamgboye, Josiah Moseley
Key Newcomers: Marial Akuentok, Tyree Bryan (Santa Clara), LeJuan Watts (Washington State), Donovan Atwell (UNCG), Josiah Moseley (Villanova), Luke Bamgboye (VCU)
Key Losses: Elijah Hawkins, Kerwin Walton, Darrion Williams, Kevin Overton, Federiko Federiko
4. Arizona
Projected Starting 5:
G Jaden Bradley
G Brayden Burries
F Anthony Dell’Orso
F Koa Peat
C Tobe Awaka
Projected Bench: Dwayne Aristode, Bryce James, Motiejus Krivas, Evan Nelson, Sidi Gueye, Ivan Kharchenkov
Key Newcomers: Dwayne Aristode, Koa Peat, Bryce James, Brayden Burries, Evan Nelson (Harvard), Sidi Gueye, Ivan Kharchenkov
Key Losses: Caleb Love, KJ Lewis, Henri Veesaar, Trey Townsend, Carter Bryant
5. Iowa State
Projected Starting 5:
G Tamin Lipsey
G Nate Heise
F Joshua Jefferson
F Milan Momcilovic
C Blake Buchanan
Projected Bench: Jamarion Batemon, Xzavion Mitchell, Killyan Toure, Dominyas Pleta, Eric Mulder, Mason Williams (injured), Dominic Nelson
Key Newcomers: Jamarion Batemon, Xzavion Mitchell, Killyan Toure, Blake Buchanan (Virginia), Mason Williams (Eastern Washington), Eric Mulder (Purdue Fort Wayne), Dominic Nelson (Utah Valley)
Key Losses: Brandt Chatfield, Curtis Jones, Keshon Gilbert, Nate Heise, Dishon Jackson, Nojus Indrusaitis
6. Kansas
Projected Starting 5:
G Elmarko Jackson
G Jayden Dawson
G Darryn Peterson
F Tre White
C Flory Bidunga
Projected Bench: Samis Calderon, Melvin Council, Bryson Tiller, Jamari McDowell, Corbin Allen, Kohl Rosario, Paul Mbiya
Key Newcomers: Darryn Peterson, Jayden Dawson (Loyola Chicago), Tre White (Illinois), Samis Calderon, Melvin Council (St. Bonaventure), Bryson Tiller, Corbin Allen, Kohl Rosario, Paul Mbiya
Key Losses: Hunter Dickinson, Zeke Mayo, Dajuan Harris, KJ Adams
7. Cincinnati
Projected Starting 5:
G Jizzle James
G Day Day Thomas
F Jalen Celestine
F Baba Miller
C Moustapha Thiam
Projected Bench: Sencire Harris, Keyshuan Tillery, Tyler McKinley, Shon Abaev, Jalen Haynes, Kerr Kriisa, Halvine Dzellat
Key Newcomers: Shon Abaev, Keyshuan Tillery, Kerr Kriisa (Kentucky), Sencire Harris (West Virginia), Jalen Haynes (George Mason), Moustapha Thiam (UCF), Jalen Celestine (Baylor), Baba Miller (FAU)
Key Losses: Aziz Bandaogo, Connor Hickman, Simas Lukosius, Dan Skillings, Josh Reed, Dillon Mitchell
8. Kansas State
Projected Starting 5:
G PJ Haggerty
G Nate Johnson
G Abdi Bashir
F Tyreek Smith
C Khamari McGriff
Projected Bench: Marcus Johnson, Stephen Osei, Andrej Kostic, Exavier Wilson, David Castillo, Taj Manning, Mobi Ikegwuruka, Elias Rapieque, CJ Jones
Key Newcomers: PJ Haggerty (Memphis), Abdi Bashir (Monmouth), Marcus Johnson (Bowling Green), Nate Johnson (Akron), Khamari McGriff (UNCW), Tyreek Smith (Memphis), Stephen Osei, Andrej Kostic, Exavier Wilson, Elias Rapieque
Key Losses: Coleman Hawkins, David N’Guessan, Dug McDaniel, Brendan Hausen
9. Baylor
Projected Starting 5:
G Dan Skillings
G Obi Agbim
G Tounde Yessoufou
F Michael Rataj
C Juslin Bodo Bodo
Projected Bench: JJ White, Caden Powell, Cameron Carr, Andre Iguodala II, Isaac Williams, Mayo Soyoye, Maikcol Perez
Key Newcomers: Tounde Yessoufou, Obi Agbim (Wyoming), Michael Rataj (Oregon State), JJ White (Omaha), Juslin Bodo Bodo (High Point), Caden Powell (Rice), Dan Skillings (Cincinnati), Andre Iguodala II, Cameron Carr (Tennessee), Isaac Williams (Texas A&M Corpus Christi), Mayo Soyoye, Maikcol Perez
Key Losses: Jalen Celestine, Jeremy Roach, Norchad Omier, Jayden Nunn, VJ Edgecombe, Langston Love, Rob Wright, Josh Ojianwuna
10. TCU
Projected Starting 5:
G Brock Harding
G Jayden Pierre
F Liutaurus Lelevicius
F David Punch
C Malick Diallo
Projected Bench: Kayden Edwards, Xavier Edmonds, Jace Posey, Tanner Toolson, Micah Robinson, Vianney Salatchoum, RJ Jones, Ashton Simmons
Key Newcomers: Kayden Edwards, Xavier Edmonds, Brock Harding (TCU), Jayden Pierre (Providence), Tanner Toolson (Utah Valley), Liutaurus Lelevicius (Oregon State), Vianney Salatchoum (FIU)
11. Oklahoma State
Projected Starting 5:
G Kanye Clary
G Anthony Roy
G Vyctorius Miller
F Robert Jennings
F Parsa Fallah
Projected Bench: Isaiah Coleman Jaylen Curry, Christian Coleman, Ryan Crotty, Ben Ahmed, Mekhi Ragland, Lefteris Mantzoukas, Andrija Vulcovic, Lefteris Mantzoukas, Dan Guetta
Key Newcomers: Anthony Roy (Green Bay), Isaiah Coleman (Seton Hall), Jaylen Curry (UMass), Kanye Clary (Mississippi State), Parsa Fallah (Oregon State), Christian Coleman (UAB), Vyctorius Miller (LSU), Ryan Crotty, Ben Ahmed, Mekhi Ragland, Lefteris Mantzoukas, Dan Guetta
Key Losses: Bryce Thompson, Abou Ousmane, Marchelus Avery
12. West Virginia
Projected Starting 5:
G Honor Huff
G Treysen Eaglestaff
F Chance Moore
F Brenen Lorient
C Harlan Obioha
Projected Bench: Jasper Floyd, Jackson Fields, Morris Ugusuk, Jayden Forsythe, DeAndre Thomas, Amir Jenkins
Key Newcomers: Treysen Eaglestaff (North Dakota), Honor Huff (Chattanooga), Chance Moore (St. Bonaventure), Brenen Lorient (North Texas), Harlan Obioha (UNCW), Jasper Floyd (North Texas), Jackson Fields (Troy), Morris Ugusuk (South Carolina), Jayden Forsythe, DeAndre Thomas, Amir Jenkins
Key Losses: Javon Small, Tucker DeVries, Amani Hansberry
13. Colorado
Projected Starting 5:
G Barrington Hargress
G Felix Kossaras
F Bangot Dak
F Sebastian Rancik
C Elijah Malone
Projected Bench: Jon Mani, Josiah Sanders, Jalin Holland, Ian Inman, Tacko Ifaola, Isaiah Johnson, Andrew Crawford, Leonardo Van Elswyk
Key Newcomers: Barrington Hargress (UC Riverside), Jon Mani (Denver), Josiah Sanders, Jalin Holland, Ian Inman, Tacko Ifaola, Isaiah Johnson, Leonardo Van Elswyk
Key Losses: Julian Hammond, Andrej Jakimovski
14. Utah
Projected Starting 5:
G Don McHenry
G Terrence Brown
F Jahki Howard
F Keanu Dawes
C Babacar Faye
Projected Bench: Ibi Traore, Elijah Moore, Seydou Traore, Kendyl Sanders, Jacob Patrick, James Okonkwo, Elmeri Abbey, Joshua Hayes
Key Newcomers: Terrence Brown (FDU), Don McHenry (Western Kentucky), Babacar Faye (Western Kentucky), Elijah Moore (Syracuse), Seydou Traore (Iowa), James Okonkwo (Akron), Jahki Howard (Auburn), Kendyl Sanders, Jacob Patrick, Elmeri Abbey, Joshua Hayes (JUCO)
Key Losses: Gabe Madsen, Ezra Ausar, Lawson Lovering
15. UCF
Projected Starting 5:
G Themus Fulks
G Riley Kugel
G Jordan Burks
F Devan Cambridge
C Jamichael Stillwell
Projected Bench: George Beale Jr., Carmelo Pacheco, BJ Freeman, Kris Parker, Jeremy Foumena, John Bol, Tanner Jones, Chris Johnson, Elijah Hulsewe, Poohpha Warakulnukroh
Key Newcomers: Themus Fulks (Milwaukee), Jamichael Stillwell (Milwaukee), Chris Johnson (Stephen F. Austin), BJ Freeman (Arizona State), George Beale Jr. (Hampton), Carmelo Pacheco (Mount St. Mary’s), Riley Kugel (Mississippi State), Jordan Burks (Georgetown), Devan Cambridge (Texas Tech), Kris Parker (Villanova), Jeremy Foumena (Mississippi State), John Bol (Ole Miss), Tanner Jones
Key Losses: Keyshawn Hall, Darius Johnson, Moustapha Thiam, Jaylin Sellers, Jordan Ivy-Curry
16. Arizona State
Projected Starting 5:
G Adante Holloman
G Moe Odum
G Allen Mukeba
F Marcus Adams
C Mor Massamba Diop
Projected Bench: Santiago Trouet, Bryce Ford, Vijay Wallace, Anthony Johnson, Cash Polk, Andrija Grbovic
Key Newcomers: Adante Holloman (Georgia Southern), Marcus Adams (CSUN), Allen Mukeba (Oakland), Moe Odum (Pepperdine), Santiago Trouet (San Diego), Bryce Ford (Toledo), Vijay Wallace (JUCO), Anthony Johnson (NAIA), Cash Polk, Andrija Grbovic, Mor Massamba Diop
Key Losses: Jayden Quaintance, Joson Sanon, Adam Miller, Alston Mason, Bashir Jihad, BJ Freeman, Adam Miller
All-Big 12 Preseason First-Team
JT Toppin, Texas Tech
AJ Dybantsa, BYU
Darryn Peterson, Kansas
Emmanuel Sharp, Houston
PJ Haggerty, Kansas State
Big 12 Preseason Player of the Year
JT Toppin, Texas Tech
Big 12 Preseason Sleeper
TCU
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
Flory Bidunga, Kansas
Elmarko Jackson, Kansas
Ramon Walker, Houston
Joseph Tugler, Houston
Motiejus Krivas, Arizona
Nate Heise, Iowa State
David Castillo, Kansas State
Keanu Dawes, Utah
Bangot Dak, Colorado
David Punch, TCU
10 Impact Big 12 Freshmen
*In no particular order
Chris Cenac, Houston
Kingston Flemings, Houston
Isiah Harwell, Houston
Chase McCarty, Houston (redshirt)
AJ Dybantsa, BYU
Koa Peat, Arizona
Brayden Burries, Arizona
Darryn Peterson, Kansas
Tounde Yessoufou, Baylor
Shon Abaev, Cincinnati
10 Impact Big 12 Transfers
*In no particular order
Rob Wright, BYU (Baylor)
Moustapha Thiam, Cincinnati (UCF)
Baba Miller, Cincinnati (FAU)
Tre White, Kansas (Illinois)
Obi Agbim, Baylor (Wyoming)
Daniel Skillings, Baylor (Cincinnati)
PJ Haggerty, Kansas State (Memphis)
Jayden Pierre, TCU (Providence)
Isaiah Coleman, Oklahoma State (Seton Hall)
Barrington Hargress, Colorado (UC Riverside)
10 Under-The-Radar Big 12 Transfers
*In no particular order
Kennard Davis, BYU (Southern Illinois)
Jalen Celestine, Cincinnati (Baylor)
Nate Johnson, Kansas State (Akron)
Abdi Bashir, Kansas State (Monmouth)
Michael Rataj, Baylor (Oregon State)
Anthony Roy, Oklahoma State (Green Bay)
Kanye Clary, Oklahoma State (Mississippi State)
Treysen Eaglestaff, West Virginia (North Dakota)
Honor Huff, West Virginia (Chattanooga)
Terrence Brown, Utah (FDU)
Leftovers
- BRACKET BREAKDOWN: November 4th
- INSIDE COLLEGE BASKETBALL NOW (11/6): North Carolina/Kansas, Alabama, Darius Acuff/Meleek Thomas
- The Breakfast Buffet: Alabama’s upcoming schedule, Ed Cooley/Georgetown, Hannes Steinbach
- The Breakfast Buffet: Isaiah Evans, Creighton, Mississippi State’s new backcourt
- INSIDE COLLEGE BASKETBALL NOW (11/4): Arizona, BYU/Villanova, Houston
