In the college basketball world, the Big 12 conference is experiencing some major changes this season. However, one thing remains constant: Bill Self’s Kansas team is starting the year as the team to beat. While there are several strong contenders in the conference, including Houston, Self’s squad is not going to give up their top spot easily. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know about the Big 12 heading into the upcoming season.
The ranked teams in the Big 12 are as follows:
1. Kansas
7. Houston
18. Texas
20. Baylor
Other teams receiving votes include TCU and Kansas State. Kansas is back at the number one spot after making a big acquisition in the offseason. They managed to land 7-foot player Hunter Dickinson from Michigan, which significantly strengthens their team. Dickinson, who averaged impressive stats last season, adds depth and talent to Kansas’ roster. With players like Kevin McCullar Jr. and DaJuan Harris Jr. returning, along with the addition of recruit Elmarko Jackson, Kansas is looking formidable. In particular, Self is excited about Dickinson’s offensive skills and ability to score, although he acknowledges his defensive game needs improvement.
One of the highlights of this Kansas team is their tough non-conference schedule. They have games against top-ranked teams like Kentucky, UConn, Missouri, and Indiana, as well as a spot in the Maui Invitational tournament which could see them facing teams like UCLA, Marquette, Syracuse, Purdue, Tennessee, or Gonzaga. Kansas’ early season will be a test of their abilities, and their performance against these formidable opponents will determine their trajectory for the rest of the season.
Another team to watch in the Big 12 is Houston, led by coach Kelvin Sampson. Sampson recently experienced the intensity of the Big 12 when he attended his first conference coaches meeting. He described the experience as being in a “dog park,” where each team is sizing each other up. Sampson recognizes the strength of the Big 12 and the challenge that lies ahead for Houston. Despite this, Houston has consistently performed well in recent years, making deep runs in the NCAA tournament and winning games. With the return of key players and the addition of talented transfers, Houston is poised to make a strong run this season.
Overall, the Big 12 conference is stacked with competitive teams, and Kansas and Houston are the ones to beat. With a tough non-conference schedule and a highly competitive conference, it will be an exciting season to watch and see which team comes out on top. Here are some notable early games to look forward to: Kansas vs. Kentucky, Texas vs. Louisville, and Texas Tech vs. Villanova, to name a few.
As the college basketball season approaches, all eyes will be on the Big 12 conference to see how the teams perform and who will emerge as this year’s top contender.
