The team predicted to be atop what was the toughest/deepest conference in America a year ago is Kansas State. Then the rest fall in line like so… Kansas, Texas, Baylor, Missouri, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, COLORADO, Nebraska, Oklahoma and finally Iowa State.
First, let me tell you what happened last year. Blake Griffin just got selected by the Clippers and the program looked to be on the rise. They were ranked #11… in the Nation, and third in the conference. That didn’t last very long; they finished with a total of 4 wins inside the conference and 13-18 overall. The Bears from Baylor saw a preseason poll of being #10 and finished 3rd in conference. And the Buffaloes would have been picked 13th in the BigXII if given the opportunities to the voters. But after a good season the Buffs had a chance to go to the BIG DANCE if they played well in the BigXII tournament. We finished 8th in the conference, and everyone ahead of us had 20 plus wins.
So is being picked #9 in the preseason something to be concerned about? Nope. But I would hope that the voters aren’t just picking names out of a hat. Here’s what I think…
KSU deserves to big on top. The only player they lose from a solid Sweet Sixteen team is Clemente. They might be slightly overrated but don’t tell that the Coach Martin. The Purple Mob Boss will get more out of his players than most others.
Kansas just refills their lineup with top ranked prospects. Josh Shelby, the #1 recruit in the Nation, is coming to Lawerence. They lose Henry, Aldrich and Collins; all 3 are starters. Unless the Morris twins go ‘Lopez’ on us, Morningstar stops drinking, and Shelby turns out to be the next thing since Tyreke Evans the Jayhawks will be good but not that good.
Texas lost Pittman and James. They have a top ten recruiting class, but what’s new. Jai and Balbay in the backcourt could be two of the best, and most diverse backcourts in the conference and the Nation.
Baylor’s head Coach Drew finally outdid his brother and his shot way back when for Valpo. But Ekpe Udoh and Tweety Carter are gone, it doesn’t look good. They are falling star of the conference.
Mizzou is more about the system than it is about its players. But it returns their 3 top scorers and can press the pants off any team it plays. The Tigers can make another run into the tourney just like in ’07.
All of these teams should be ahead of the Buffs although I don’ think the order is complete right. But here is where my discrepancy starts.
The Buffs go here. The return all but one of our starters. Cory Higgins and Alec Burks are players. They both demand the oppositions best defender and are likely early round picks. The rest of the team is really young and did improve tremendously this last year. Also Shannon Sharpe, not the football player, is just raw talent waiting to explode. He reshirted last year after blowing out his knee on a dunk. Did I mention that he is pushing 5’10”? And after surgery he still can get up and is probably the best dunker on the squad. Tad Boyle just needs to stay out of the way, and only really needs to make sure none of the key contributors foul out.
A&M is ahead, but they lost the top three scorers and are really young. Oklahoma State lost James Anderson and Muonelo. The best player they have returning is Page, a white guy who can shoot. Not JJ Reddick. Texas Tech is the only team that scares me; they return all of their scores. Their only issue is size, but good for them, and well us, that the college game is ruled by quickness and guard play.
All the teams below that don’t scare me or really anyone else. And as this is the last year for the Buffs to make some noise in the BigXII they are looking good. CU hasn’t been to the Tournament since 2002 but this year, much like football looks promising.
First things first here, Dr. P- You are overlooking 4 legitimate reasons why the Jayhawks will be great, and not just good. Sophomores Elijah Johnson and Thomas Robinson could very well blossom into all-conference players; Tyshawn Taylor will be an all-conference player starting right next to Selby at the 1 or 2 spot. The four of these guys are ridiculously athletic, much more so than your boy Higgins and just as much if not more than Burks. Lastly, and most importantly- Bill Self. There is a reason why KU wins the Big XII year after year and will repeat as usual this year. The guy is hands down the best coach in the conference and in the top 5 in the nation. Kansas will be the team to beat as usual.
ReplyDeleteAs for Baylor: don't overlook them. Udoh is definitely a damaging loss but Tweety Carter is vastly overrated and they still have their leader and best player (all conf last yr) in Lacedarious Dunn, who may be player of the year in the big 12 in '11
KState is going to be good without a doubt but losing Clemente is pretty big for these guys. He was seriously underrated last year and the year before that and his value to the team seems to still be over-looked.
As for CU: Burks and Higgins can't do it alone especially since they are the same type of player (shoot first 2 guards). Shannon Sharpe may be a highlight reel but that's all I have heard of him. I'm looking forward to seeing him play. More importantly is the lack of big guys the Buffs have. The Aussie is maybe the worst player in the Big 12, at least that gets legit PT. The new footer (Mills) is not looking good either- super weak and not a banger (had the chance to play against him awhile back). He is going to need some time to develop. The other freshman though, Roberson I think was wetting all over me at the rec a few months ago. He could be pretty good if Boyle does a good job. Relphorde is also huge for these guys. I think he could be a really big x factor as well as Dufault. That's why I think Boyle is crucial, like every college basketball coach. If these guys want to finish anywhere close to the top 6 Boyle is going to have to do some work.
love the column, man. wow i have a lot of time on my hands