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. Arizona
Projected Starting 5:
G Derek Dixon
G Caleb Holt
G Ivan Kharchenkov
F Cameron Holmes
C Motiejus Krivas
Projected Bench: Bryce James, Mabil Mawut, JJ Mandaquit, Endurance Aiyamenkhue, Ugnius Jarusevicius, Evan Otten, Maksim Brnovic
Key Newcomers: Cameron Holmes, Caleb Holt, JJ Mandaquit (Washington), Derek Dixon (Arizona), Endurance Aiyamenkhue, Ugnius Jarusevicius (Nebraska), Evan Otten (Idaho State), Maksim Brnovic
Key Losses: Koa Peat, Tobe Awaka, Jaden Bradley, Anthony Dell’Orso, Brayden Burries
2. Houston
Projected Starting 5:
G Dedan Thomas
G Mercy Miller
G Chase McCarty
F Joseph Tugler
C Delrecco Gillespie
Projected Bench: Arafan Diane, Bryce Jackson, Kordel Jefferson, Ikenna Alozie, Delrecco Gillespie, Corey Hadnot, Braden East
Key Newcomers: Arafan Diane, Ikenna Alozie, Dedan Thomas (LSU), Delrecco Gillespie (Kent State), Corey Hadnot (Purdue Fort Wayne), Braden East (Lamar)
Key Losses: Kingston Flemings, Chris Cenac, Milos Uzan, Emanuel Sharp, Kalifa Sakho, Isiah Harwell
3, Iowa State
Projected Starting 5:
G Killyan Toure
G Jamarion Batemon
F Leon Bond
F Tre Singleton
C Blake Buchanan
Projected Bench: Xzavion Mitchell, Dominykas Pleta, Christian Wiggins, Yusef Gray Jr., Dorian Rinaldo-Komlan, Jaquan Johnson, Taj Manning, Ryan Prather
Key Newcomers: Christian Wiggins, Jackson Kiss, Yusef Gray Jr., Dorian Rinaldo-Komlan, Leon Bond (Northern Iowa), Jaquan Johnson (Bradley), Taj Manning (Kansas State), Tre Singleton (Northwestern), Ryan Prather (Robert Morris)
Key Losses: Tamin Lipsey, Joshua Jefferson, Nate Heise, Milan Momcilovic
4. BYU
Projected Starting 5:
G Rob Wright
G Collin Chandler
F Bruce Branch
F Tyler Betsey
F Khadim Mboup
Projected Bench: Dean Rueckert, Dawson Baker, Brody Kozlowski, Nate Pickens, Jake Wahlin, Dovydas Buika, Brooks Bahr
Key Newcomers: Dean Rueckert, Bruce Branch, Will Openshaw, Collin Chandler (Kentucky), Tyler Betsey (Syracuse), Jake Wahlin (Clemson), Dovydas Buika
Key Losses: AJ Dybantsa, Keba Keita, Richie Saunders, Kennard Davis, Tyler Mrus
5. TCU
Projected Starting 5:
G Brock Harding
G Tanner Toolson
F Micah Robinson
F Xavier Edmonds
C Luke Bamgboye
Projected Bench: Ryan Hunt, Milos Sojic, Gavin Sykes, Trent Lincoln, DJ Thomas, Ricards Aizpurs
Key Newcomers: Ryan Hunt, Trent Lincoln (JUCO), Milos Sojic, Gavin Sykes (Long Beach State), DJ Thomas (West Virginia), Luke Bamgboye, Ricards Aizpurs
Key Losses: Jayden Pierre, RJ Jones, Jace Posey, Liutaurus Lelevicius, David Punch, Malick Diallo
6. Kansas
Projected Starting 5:
G Tay Kinney
G Leroy Blyden Jr.
F Tyran Stokes
F Keanu Dawes
C Paul Mbiya
Projected Bench: Davion Adkins, Kohl Rosario, Christian Reeves, Luke Barnett, Trent Perry, Paul Mbiya, Grant Mordini, Dennis Parker Jr.
Key Newcomers: Tay Kinney, Davion Adkins, Trent Perry, Luke Barnett, Keanu Dawes (Utah), Leroy Blyden Jr. (Toledo), Christian Reeves (Charleston), Tyran Stokes, Grant Mordini, Dennis Parker Jr. (Radford)
Key Losses: Darryn Peterson, Melvin Council, Tre White, Flory Bidunga, Elmarko Jackson, Bryson Tiller, Samis Calderon, Jamari McDowell
7. Oklahoma State
Projected Starting 5:
G Kanye Clary
G Luka Bogavac
F Jordan Burks
F Latrell Almond
C Julius Halaifonua
Projected Bench: Jalen Montonati, Andrija Grbovic, Anthony Felesi, Parker Robinson, Jacob Walker, Kashie Natt (*Needs NCAA waiver), Ben Ahmed, Mekhi Ragland, Ryan Crotty
Key Newcomers: Latrell Almond, Jalen Montonati, Anthony Felesi, Parker Robinson, Jordan Burks (UCF), Julius Halaifonua (Georgetown), Luka Bogavac (North Carolina), Andrija Grbovic (Arizona State), Jacob Walker (Sam Houston), Kashie Natt (Sam Houston)
Key Losses: Anthony Roy, Parsa Fallah, Vyctorius Miller, Christian Coleman, Jaylen Curry
8. West Virginia
Projected Starting 5:
G Miles Sadler
G Finley Bizjack
G Joson Sanon
F Javan Buchanan ***Needs NCAA Waiver
C Mouhamed Sylla
Projected Bench: Martin Somerville, Amadou Seini, Keonte Greybear, Aliou Dioum, Amir Jenkins, Evans Barning, Seydou Traore
Key Newcomers: Joson Sanon (St. John’s), Martin Somerville (Florida State), Seydou Traore (Utah), Mouhamed Sylla (West Virginia), Finley Bizjack (West Virginia), Javan Buchanan (Boise State), Miles Sadler, Amadou Seini, Keonte Greybear, Aliou Dioum
Key Losses: Honor Huff, Brenen Lorient
9. Texas Tech
Projected Starting 5:
G Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn
G Cruz Davis
G Damarion Dennis
F Josiah Moseley
C Marial Akuentok
Projected Bench: JT Toppin (injured), LaTrell Hoover, Dakari Speaker, Trey Hall, Amari Barnett
Key Newcomers: Dakari Spear, Trey Hall, Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn (UNLV), Cruz Davis (Hofstra), Damarion Dennis (Wyoming), Amari Barnett
Key Losses: Christian Anderson, Donovan Atwell, LeJuan Watts, Jaylen Petty
10. Baylor
Projected Starting 5:
G Kayden Mingo
G Brett Decker
G Dylan Mingo
F Isaac Celiscar
C Juslin Bodo Bodo
Projected Bench: Isaac Williams, Elijah Williams, Tegra Makabu, Evan Chatman, Mayo Soyoye, Maikcol Perez, Andre Iguodala II,
Key Newcomers: Elijah Williams, Dylan Mingo, Tegra Makabu, Evan Chatman (UAB), Isaac Celiscar (Yale), Kayden Mingo (Penn State), Brett Decker (Liberty)
Key Losses: Cameron Carr, Tounde Yessoufou
11. Arizona State
Projected Starting 5:
G Joel Foxwell
G Dillan Shaw
F Emmanuel Innocenti
F Paulius Murauskas
C Ben Defty
Projected Bench: Bryce Ford, Vijay Wallace, Jonathan Griman, Nate Garcia, Marcus Vaughns, JRob Croy, Ajak Nyuon, Filip Malesevic, Jokubas Rudaitas
Key Newcomers: Paulius Murauskas (Saint Mary’s), Dillan Shaw (Saint Mary’s), Joel Foxwell (Portland), Emmanuel Innocenti (Gonzaga), Ben Defty (Boston University), Jonathan Griman (Cal Baptist), Nate Garcia (Cal Baptist), Marcus Vaughns (LSU), JRob Croy, Ajak Nyuon, Filip Malesevic, Jokubas Rudaitas
Key Losses: Moe Odum, Massamba Diop
12. Cincinnati
Projected Starting 5:
G Tylen Riley
G Myles Colvin
F Adlan Elamin
F Tyler Tejada
C Jayden Hastings
Projected Bench: Elijah Perryman, Akai Fleming, Trevian Carson, Eric Mahaffery, Riley Allenspach, David Iweze
Key Newcomers: Akai Fleming (Georgia Tech), Tylen Riley (Tulsa), Tyler Tejada (Towson), Myles Colvin (Purdue), Jayden Hastings (Boston College), Elijah Perryman (Utah State), Adlan Elamin (Utah State), Trevian Carson (North Dakota State), Eric Mahaffery (Akron), Riley Allenspach (George Mason), David Iweze (Utah State)
Key Losses: Baba Miller, Moustapha Thiam, Day Day Thomas, Jizzle James
13. UCF
Projected Starting 5:
G Arturo Dean
G Dior Johnson
F Lewis Walker
F Isaiah Malone
C John Bol
Projected Bench: Jason Asemota, Carmelo Pacheco, Churchill Abass, Mister Dean, Cayden Vasko, Isaiah Malone, Elijah Hulsewe, Tanner Jones
Key Newcomers: Ladarius Givan, Dior Johnson (Tarleton State), Jason Asemota (Boston College), Churchill Abass (New Orleans), Mister Dean (Charleston), Lewis Walker (NC A&T), Cayden Vasko (Wofford), Isaiah Malone (Florida Gulf Coast)
Key Losses: Riley Kugel, Themus Fulks, Jordan Burks
14. Colorado
Projected Starting 5:
G Barrington Hargress
G Josiah Sanders
G Ian Inman
F Justin Neely
C Noah Fedderson
Projected Bench: Jalin Holland, Rider Portela, Goc Malual, David Gomez, Alex Dickeson
Key Newcomers: Justin Neely (UNCG), Noah Feddersen (North Dakota State), Rider Portela, Goc Malual, David Gomez (Charlotte), Alex Dickeson
Key Losses: Isaiah Johnson, Bangot Dak, Sebastian Rancik
15. Kansas State
Projected Starting 5:
G Brandon Rechsteiner
G Jaden Schutt
F Dezdrick Lindsay
F Timo Malovec
C JT Rock
Projected Bench: Andrej Kostic, Devin Hutcherson, Jaylen Alexander, Pape N’Diaye, Montana Wheeler, Isaiah Abraham, Matt Gilhool, Brock Vice
Key Newcomers: Devin Hutcherson, Jaylen Alexander, Pape N’Diaye (Xavier), Timo Malovec (Miami), Montana Wheeler (Bradley), Isaiah Abraham (Georgetown), Matt Gilhool (LSU), JT Rock (New Mexico), Jaden Schutt (Virginia Tech), Brandon Rechsteiner (Virginia Tech), Dezdrick Lindsay (Oregon), Brock Vice (Murray State)
Key Losses: PJ Haggerty, Abdi Bashir, Nate Johnson
16. Utah
Projected Starting 5:
G Noam Yaacov
G Taison Chatman
F Jackson Holcombe
F Alec Anigbata
C Fynn Schott
Projected Bench: Babacar Faye, TJ Burch, Malek Gomma, Styles Clemmons, Jaxon Johnson, David Katoa, Lucas McKanna, Zati Loubaki
Key Newcomers: Alec Anigbata, Styles Clemmons, Simeon Suguturaga, TJ Burch (Wright State), Malek Gomma (Weber State), Taison Chatman (Ohio State), Jackson Holcombe (Utah Valley), Jaxon Johnson, Alec Anigbata, Noam Yaacov, Fynn Schott, David Katoa, Lucas McKanna, Zati Loubaki
Key Losses: Terrence Brown, Don McHenry, Keanu Dawes, Seydou Traore
All-Big 12 Preseason First-Team
Motiejus Krivas, Arizona
JT Toppin, Texas Tech (suffered ACL injury in February, timetable for return is TBD)
Ivan Kharchenkov, Arizona
Tyran Stokes, Kansas
Rob Wright, BYU
Big 12 Preseason Player of the Year
Rob Wright, BYU
Big 12 Preseason Sleeper
West Virginia
10 Impact Big 12 Freshmen
*In no particular order
*Due to NCAA eligibility inconsistencies, foreign players are not included in this list
Tyran Stokes, Kansas
Taylen Kinney, Kansas
Caleb Holt, Arizona
Cameron Holmes, Arizona
Bruce Branch, BYU
Dylan Mingo, Baylor
Miles Sadler, West Virginia
Dakari Spear, Texas Tech
Arafan Diane, Houston
Latrell Almond, Oklahoma State
5 Big 12 Breakout Players
*In no particular order
*A player is not eligible for this list if he has previously averaged in double figures
Killyan Toure, Iowa State
Paul Mbiya, Kansas
Mercy Miller, Houston
Chase McCarty, Houston
Josiah Moseley, Texas Tech
