Big 12 Conference Play Begins: Predictions for Every Team

The Big 12 is still one of the top basketball conferences in the nation and will continue to be so even with the losses of Missouri and Texas A&M next season to the SEC.

Overall the conference was a combined 100-26 in non-conference games this year, with all 10 teams having a winning record going into tonight's first conference match-up between Baylor and Texas A&M. 

With five wins against top 25 opponents from other conferences, Big 12 basketball teams have already put in some good work this season.

But who will come out of the conference schedule on top?

#4 Baylor Bears

Currently 13-0 and one of only four undefeated teams in the country, Baylor is off to one of the best starts in school history. 

They have already proved themselves against tough West Virginia and Mississippi State squads in non-conference games, but they must play six more games against AP top 25 teams in the Big 12. 

The Bears, led by Perry Jones will not stay undefeated for long as they visit Kansas St. and Kansas in mid January. 

Bears lose a few on the road and finish 2nd in the Big 12.

13-5 (26-5 Overall)

#7 Missouri Tigers

Missouri, along with Baylor, is still undefeated but with much less hype. The Tigers are a solid team and great at scoring, with three of the Big 12's top 10 scorers. 

Marcus Denmon and company will be tough at home, but road match-ups vs the likes of Kansas and Baylor, and a few slip-ups will hurt their regular season Big 12 title chances.

Missouri finishes tied for second with Baylor.

13-5 (26-5 Overall)

#14 Kansas Jayhawks

Kansas is going to have to work hard for their 8th consecutive Big 12 regular season title, but Bill Self seems ready for the task. 

Having to replace the Morris twins is quite an undertaking and will not be easy, but going into conference play at 10-3 is a huge positive after a tough non-conference schedule. 

Big wins over current ranked #6 Ohio State and #9 Georgetown show that the Jayhawks have big game ability, and a 134-7 home record under Self keeps the Big 12 trophy at Allen Fieldhouse.

15-3 (25-6 Overall)

#23 Kansas State Wildcats

K-State is still the second best team in Kansas and a much better home team than road team. 

The Wildcats have the hardest early conference schedule having to go to #14 Kansas and then host #7 Missouri and #4 Baylor in their first three games. 

Recovering after that stretch and winning the games that they are favored in should equal a reasonably successful 2012 campaign leading to another NCAA tournament appearance.

12-6 (23-7 Overall)

Texas Longhorns

A tough loss vs a good NC State team and a route at #5 North Carolina led to the 10-3 record the Longhorns currently have. 

They have been quite good in the past under Rick Barnes, but they need to improve this season to appease the Longhorn fan base. 

Texas won't compete with the top four teams in the conference, but they could still get into the NCAA tournament with a few resume building wins against a Missouri or K-State.

10-8 (20-11 Overall)

Texas A&M Aggies

Just like the football team, this years Texas A&M basketball squad has not lived up to the preseason hype. 

A 9-3 record is not usually something to be upset about, but the big losses to Mississippi St. and Florida coupled with a surprise home loss to Rice doesn't feel good going into a difficult conference schedule. 

The Aggies defense can hang with anyone in the Big 12, the question will be: Can they score enough to win?

10-8 (19-11 Overall)

Oklahoma State Cowboys

Oklahoma State has an interesting schedule, in that their conference schedule seems easier at a glance than their non-conference. 

Their 7-6 record is a reflection of playing five Big 6 schools, three of them on the road. 

They will be able to win against the bottom of the conference, but unless they have quite a few big upsets it looks like the Cowboys will end up in the middle to bottom of the standings.

6-12 (13-18 Overall)

Oklahoma Sooners

A far cry from the Blake Griffin years, the Sooners are looking at another season not in the top ranks of the conference. 

The 10-3 non-conference record is great, but inflated by a 70 strength of schedule according to RPI rankings. 

Oklahoma will win a few games at home, but be swept by the top half of the conference. Last years 5-11 conference record will not be improved with two extra conference games this year.

4-14 (14-16 Overall)

Iowa State Cyclones

Often forgotten in the Big 12 and the national landscape, its hard to believe that the Cyclones were an Elite 8 team that won two straight Big 12 titles in 2000 and 2001. 

They are off to a great start this season, but lost against the only real challenges that they faced. 

Also a problem is their depth and balance as Royce White leads the team in points, rebounds and assists. 

Big 12 opponents will stop White and therefore stop the Cyclones.

4-14 (14-17 Overall)

Texas Tech Red Raiders

New coach Billy Gillispie is trying his best to get a bad Texas Tech team on track, but it hasn't happened yet. 

It won't help that his first five conference games are three road games and hosting #4 Baylor and #14 Kansas. 

With the help of Jordan Tolbert, the Red Raiders leading scorer and rebounder, they will win a few games and might upset some teams down the stretch. 

However, it would be enough to keep Texas Tech from finishing last in the conference.

3-15 (10-20 Overall)