2008-'09 College Basketball Preview: Big 12/Pac-10/SEC

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Big 12 (predicted order of finish and records)

Oklahoma Sooners (26-4) – A program that was in shambles just a few years ago is now a contender to win it all. Coach Jeff Capel quickly turned around the mess he inherited and now leads a team featuring one of the nation’s power forwards in Blake Griffin, his brother Taylor, and dynamic freshman guard Willie Warren. Granted, the Sooners only got to the second round of the NCAA Tournament last year, this team has lots more experience and now knows how to win. They could win the Big 12 and make noise in postseason play this as soon as this year.

Texas Longhorns (26-4) – One of the nation’s most consistent programs over the past few years, Texas comes into 2008 with the best and deepest roster in this conference. If they can overcome the loss of Kevin Durant and reached the Elite 8 last year, they can certainly do the same after the departure of D.J. Augustin for the NBA. Undersized, but talented point guard A.J. Abrams is among the best at his position in the nation; he is complemented by solid swingmen, James and Mason. I would be very surprised if Texas doesn’t get to the Sweet 16, if not further.

Kansas Jayhawks (23-7) – The defending champs come into 2008 with a gutted roster after their championship last year. The Jayhawks lose all five starters, but the outlook is anything but bleak for Bill Self’s team. Even though we saw the struggles that Billy Donovan had after being in basically the same situation at Florida, Self brings in a top-notch recruiting class, highlighted by the Morris brothers. Last year’s prominent bench players, Collins and Aldrich are ready to step in and be leaders for Kansas, as they will have some degree of success with this new look team.

Texas A&M Aggies (21-9) – It will be extremely difficult to replace skilled big man DeAndre Jordan in what looks to be a transitional season for the Aggies, but Mark Turgeon can certainly earn his team a bid to the NCAA Tournament in this watered-down conference. The pieces are still in place for this team to contend, but the new freshmen, specifically Loubeau, must make immediate contributions to replace what they lost in Jones and Kirk. I like what Texas A&M has done over the past few seasons; this season will be another good one in College Station.

Baylor Bears (18-12)
Missouri Tigers (17-13)
Oklahoma State Cowboys (17-13)
Kansas State Wildcats (16-14)
Texas Tech Red Raiders (15-15)
Nebraska Cornhuskers (14-16)
Iowa State Cyclones (12-18)
Colorado Buffaloes (11-19)

Pac-10 (predicted order of finish and records)

UCLA Bruins (26-4) – In my opinion, the Pac-10 is America’s second best conference, and it will be won once again by UCLA. Ben Howland has lost tons of players over the past three seasons (Farmar, Afflalo, Westbrook, Love), and still has managed to reach the Final Four in each of those seasons. This team cer