2012 NCAA Conferences Previews: Big 12
Welcome to October! For the next month leading up to the start of actual NCAA Games, I’ll be breaking down some of the biggest conferences.
The Big 12 is perhaps the most under-appreciated conference this season, with five teams who could legitimately run for the conference title. Does Kansas have enough to repeat in the Final Four?
Top Five Squads:
1. Kansas Jayhawks
Taking away a superstar like Thomas Robinson will crush any squad, but Kansas still has the most depth and total talent in the conference.
Elijah Johnson, Travis Releford and Kevin Young all return for the Jayhawks, as does defensive stud extraordinary Jeff Withey. All are expected to up their scoring in the absence of Robinson and point guard TyShawn Taylor.
Freshman Ben McLemore could start, and he’d certainly help in the scoring department. He sat out last year with academic issues, but was compared to Florida’s Bradley Beal (the No. 3 pick in the 2012 NBA Draft). If he can provide top scoring instincts to Kansas’ already deep roster, the Jayhawks could go right back to the Final Four.
Hit the jump for the rest of Bryant’s preview…
2. Kansas State Wildcats
The Wildcats squad won with defense and rebounding last season, scooping up 22 victories and shocking most of the country. They return four of their starters and add two solid freshmen in hopes that they can keep up last year’s success.
Coach Bruce Weber came over after being fired by Illinois last season. While it may hurt the Wildcats in terms of continuity, Weber just has too much talent here to expect any sort of dropoff.
Rodney McGruder averaged 15.8 points last year, and when you factor in depth like Jordan Henriquez, Will Spradling and Angel Rodreiguez, the Wildcats could contend for the Big 12 title. If they keep up their defense from last year, some more NCAA noise is a lock.
3. Texas Longhorns
Texas adds in four stellar rookies to a squad with high hopes but not a ton of experience to back that up.
Sophomore Myck Kabongo had a disappointing year last year, but now that he has eight freshmen to work with. The best of those are forwards Cameron Ridley, Prince Ibeh and Conner Lammert—all of whom are 6’9” or taller. In a conference with some tough big men, Texas has the lockdown on big man depth.
The Longhorns will run only as far as Kabongo can take them, but with a year under his belt and a ton of new talent to work with, I expect a better season than last year. The loss of J’Covan Brown hurts big time, though.
4. Baylor Bears
Out goes the infuriating Perry Jones, in comes 7’0” center Isaiah Austin. Call that a win for Baylor. (More on Austin in our four players to watch.)
Pierre Jackson and Brady Heslip, both key parts in their NCAA tourney run, return and figure to see a greater role this year. The two combine to make the best guard combo in the conference aside from Oklahoma State.
It’s a shame that Scott Drew’s success at Baylor is now overshadowed by the NCAA probation for recruiting indiscretions. He’s great at getting talent, even if he doesn’t always develop them all the way (see Perry Jones).
5. Oklahoma State Cowboys
I’m betting the farm on this young and inexperienced team, but I’m hedging on huge seasons from both sophomore LeBryan Nash and freshman Marcus Smart. More on Nash in a minute, so let’s focus on the rest of the Cowboys.
Smart is a top 10 freshmen by nearly all accounts, and his all-around game gives he Cowboys a much needed second option to Nash. Add in guard/forward Brian Williams (9.6 points, 3.3 boards) and some solid wing depth and Oklahoma State looks sharp this year.
Their big loss is in the middle, where Phillip Jurick was set to start but was arrested in summer on drug charges. In a league with tons of power in the paint, this is a huge weakness for the Cowboys.
Four Players to Watch:
1. LeBryan Nash, Oklahoma State
Nash was one of the more highly watched freshmen last year, but efficiency issues kept him (13.3 points, 5.0 rebounds) from becoming the star he has the potential to be. If he works on his range and picks his shots better, he could easily be in contention for Big 12 player of the year. His all-around potential is enormous, and a NBA lottery pick is within reach.
2. Jeff Withey, Kansas:
Is it crazy to expect that Withey can become “the man” now that Thomas Robison is gone? Not especially. He’s the NCAA’s best defensive presence and will be impossible for anyone to go against down low next season, and he’s a solid rebounder to boot.
We just haven’t seen Withey ever be an offensive “go-to” player. He has the work ethic and the size to be that kind of post player, but it isn’t a sure thing.
3. Myck Kabongo, Texas:
After averaging a disappointing 9.6 points and 5.6 assists last season, Kabongo returns to an improved Texas squad that has many new freshman but that will miss J’Covan Brown.
Kabongo has elite NBA level point guard skills, but needs to prove he can score efficiently. His jump shot needs serious work, and he cannot just rely on his athleticism.
If he improves this season (13 points, 6.5 assists or so) he is a lock for a top 20 pick next June.
4. Isaiah Austin, Baylor:
There are some rumblings that the new big man in Baylor may share Perry Jones’ spotty consistency. Certainly hope that isn’t the case, because there aren’t many big men that come with Austin’s raw potential.
He combines size, strength and athleticism with a sharp rebounding game and solid defensive skills. He’s a bit raw in the paint, but should struggle to score. If he can prove he’s a harder worker/more consistent player than Jones ever was, a bright NBA future awaits.
Three Award Predictions:
Player of the Year: LeBryan Nash, Oklahoma State
Newcomer of the Year: Isaiah Austin, Baylor
Defensive Player of the Year: Jeff Withey, Kansas
Two Storylines to Pay Attention To:
1. What does TCU bring to the Big 12?
The Horned Frogs are easily a step below anyone in the Big 12. They’re a very safe lock to finish No. 10 in the conference barring huge injuries to any other squad.
What exactly does TCU bring to the Big 12? What can Coach Trent Johnson do to make the Horned Frogs a contender? He’s going to need a few seasons, and not to mention a big influx of talent.
Credit to TCU for taking this plunge. The next few years will be brutal, but you can’t even pass up the chance to join a powerhouse conference.
2. Which freshman will take the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year award?
This is a real tough one to figure out. Isaiah Austin of Baylor, Ben McLemore from Kansas and Marcus Smart from Oklahoma State all have huge potential. Throw in Texas’ Cameron Ridley and Kansas; Perry Ellis as longshots and you have the deepest freshman conference outside of the Pac 12.
One Conference Championship Winner: Kansas Jayhawks
Kansas State could make a run with their depth and defense. Texas could if Kabongo clicks with the freshman. Baylor could if Isaiah Austin dominates the paint while Pierre Jackson and Brady Heslip crush from the outside. Oklahoma State could walk away with it if LeBryan Nash and Marcus Smart dominate to their full potential.
Give the nod to the deeper, smarter, more experienced Jayhawks. Bill Self will turn these guys into winners even if they lack a superstar.
Projected Final Standings:
1. Kansas Jayhawks
2. Kansas State Wildcats
3. Texas Longhorns
4. Baylor Bears
5. Oklahoma State Cowboys
6. West Virginia Mountaineers
7. Oklahoma Sooners
8. Iowa State Cyclones
9. Texas Tech Red Raiders
10. TCU Horned Frogs
About the Author
Bryant West, Columnist Graduate from Saint Mary's College of California, former Editor-in-Chief of the Saint Mary's Collegian Newspaper and beat writer for the Saint Mary's men's basketball team. Self-diagnosed spelling failure. Long time basketball follower, huge Sacramento Kings fanatic. Fan of the San Francisco Giants, the San Francisco 49ers and the Saint Mary's Gaels. This world is made - of LOVE and PEACE! Check out my NBA Draft Big Board, where I break down the top of the 2012 draft class! - And follow me on twitter at @BSWest5.
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