2010-11 Big XII Basketball Preview

Jabber HeadSep 27, 2010

The Big XII is changing. In case you haven’t heard, Nebraska is leaving for the Big 10 in 2011 and Colorado will likely move on to the Pac-10 in 2012. But that’s in the future. What can we expect from this conference this season? Well, expect Kansas to keep the status quo as the Jayhawks will win the Big XII again despite their personnel losses. I think it’s more of a question of which team will have a legitimate chance of challenging them.

1. Kansas - The Jayhawks are still loaded despite losing Cole Aldrich, Sherron Collins and Xavier Henry. So don’t feel sorry for the Jayhawks. After all, they return 14 lettermen that includes Tyshawn Taylor and Marcus Morris. The backcourt will be deep, especially with the addition of Josh Shelby and Royce Woolridge. KU will try to redeem itself after a second round loss in the NCAA tournament, and you can expect them to win the Big XII and reach at least the second round again this year.

2. Baylor - The loss of Ekpe Udoh is big because he almost averaged a double-double each outing, but the Bears’ frontcourt won’t be bare. Juniors Quincy Acy and Anthony Jones return. Acy tied the school record after shooting 69.7% from the field, while Jones has the potential to be a double-double guy after recording 10 of them a year ago. Don’t forget LaceDarius Dunn and his league-leading 19.6 scoring average and 41.9% shooting from the 3-point line. 6’10 Perry Jones is one recruit that gives Baylor hopes that he can offset the loss of Udoh. The Bears can expect to be in the NCAA tournament again, but they won’t go as far as they did a year ago.

3. Kansas State - Denis Clemente is gone. No problem. Jacob Pullen is expected to run the Kansas State offense. He is expected to pick up the slack after scoring in double figures in every game a year ago. Incoming freshman Nino Williams should be a good addition with his versatility and size. The frontcourt will need some attention after the departure of Dominique Sutton, and the answer could come from Freddy Aspirilla. Senior Curtis Kelly does return and so do Jamar Samuels and Wally Judge. Coach Frank Martin enjoyed last year’s success, but there’s no reason why he shouldn’t expect to at least match that this season. The Wildcats will be dancing again in March.

4. Missouri - Pressure. That’s the name of Missouri’s style, and they’ll have depth to successfully run it again this year. Four of the top 5 scorers return, including leading scorer Kim English and Marcus Denmon and his 41% shooting from the 3-point line. By the way, the Tigers have arguably the best recruiting class in the Big XII that includes one of the nation’s top point guards in Phil Pressey and his brother, Matt, and forwards Tony Mitchell and Ricardo Ratliffe. Expect Missouri to contend for the Big XII with their depth and be in the NCAA tournament again this year and maybe get to the third round.

5. Oklahoma State - Big XII Player of the Year James Anderson and Obi Muonelo are gone, so what can we expect from the Cowboys this season? Expect 5 incoming freshmen, Darrell Williams, Michael Cobbins, Brian Williams, Markel Brown and J. P. Olukemi, to contribute. Expect a more up-tempo style. Senior Nick Sidorakis is expected to be the leader in the backcourt, and he’ll have company with the return of Keiton Page and Ray Penn. Seniors Mashall Moses, who led the Big XII in rebounding, and Matt Pilgrim return. This is a tournament team this season, but it’s difficult to expect them to make a run.

6. Texas - Sure, they lost a lot with the departure of Dexter Pittman, Damion James and Avery Bradley, but Rick Barnes brings in All-American Tristan Thompson and point guard Cory Joseph. The Longhorns also return Dogus Balbay and Varez Ward from injury, which was likely the big reason for Texas’ struggles in the second half of the season. The frontcourt lacks experience as only Gary Johnson started more than one game last year. The Longhorns could be a borderline NIT-/NCAA-tournament team this year.

7. Texas A&M - Donald Sloan, Bryan Davis and Derrick Roland are gone, and that’s not good for any team, especially a team that’s offensively challenged. In the backcourt, senior B. J. Holmes and junior Dash Harris do return to try to offset some of the losses. In the frontcourt, David Loubeau will be counted on after averaging 9.2 points per game. The Aggies hope to get some help from incoming freshmen Keith Davis and Kourtney Roberson.

8. Texas Tech - Pat Knight’s point of emphasis this season is to improve the defense and rebounding. Texas Tech’s defense ranked last in the Big XII a year ago, and its rebounding wasn't any better, finishing 10th in the conference. On a positive note, the Red Raiders return 6 of their top 7 scorers, including the team’s leader in scoring and rebounding in Mike Singletary. John Roberson, the Big XII’s assist leader, also return. Paul Cooper and Javarez Willis are expected to come in and contribute to the Texas Tech cause this season. After reaching the quarterfinals in the NIT, it’s not so far-fetched to expect this team to make the NIT.

9. Colorado - First year coach Tad Boyle inherits a team that returns all but one player, including 2 of the Big XII’s top scorers in Cory Higgins and Alec Burks. Nate Tomlinson also returns as one of the conference’s assist leader. Marcus Relphorde and Austin Dufault return in the frontcourt. This team has the potential to make some noise in the Big XII if they can put the good pieces together.

10. Nebraska - It’s the Cornhuskers’ farewell tour in the Big XII, and it doesn’t look like it will be a good one despite showing signs of improvement. Assist leader Lance Jeter does return as well as Jorge Brian Diaz, who set the Nebraska freshman record with 41 blocks. Toney McCray comes back from elbow surgery to add depth to the backcourt. Nebraska fans will finally get to see what 6’11” Christopher Niemann can do as he returns after a medical redshirt for an ACL surgery.

11. Oklahoma - Coach Jeff Capel is still rebuilding the Sooner program. Senior guard Cade Davis returns to try to help put the pieces back together in the backcourt, and Andrew Fitzgerald is the sole big man returning with any significant experience. Several new faces will be expected to contributed quickly, which include Cameron Clark, T. J. Taylor, Calvin Newell and Tyler Neal. With so many new faces on the team, don’t expect this team to get out of the Big XII basement this year.

12. Iowa State - In his first year as a head coach, Fred Hoiberg is expected to struggle. Why? He’ll have a team that’s as inexperienced as he is. Senior and 3-year starter Diante Garrett and Scott Christopherson will be expected to pick up the slack as the new faces get settled in. Garrett is second in the Big XII in assists, while Christopherson is the team’s best 3-point and FT-shooting specialist. Junior college transfer DeMarcus Phillips, Eric McKnight and Royce White are the new faces expected to contribute quickly.