steady blogging: Going to Kansas City-Basketball Preview

Big 12 Media Days for basketball were held in Kansas City over the last couple days, as Kansas City will be the host of the Big 12 Men's and Women's tournaments this spring. Particularly in men's basketball, this appears to be an exciting season coming up. The three local teams, Missouri, Kansas, and Kansas State, all appear poised to make improvements and significant runs. It's time now for me to make my preseason predictions and name my pre-season Big 12 team. It should be a tough, hard fought race during the Big 12 season, and many teams have outstanding performers. From Kansas to Colorado, every team has an excellent player or two, or even three. But let's start with a preview of the Big 12 men's basketball programs, one through twelve.

1. Kansas. As you all know, I don't like Kansas. It's my job to dislike the squawks, and I do. Kansas has NEVER lost in Bramlage Coliseum and that's an embarassment. That said, I cannot let my loathing cloud my judgment, and Kansas is the clear number one choice. Kansas went to the Elite 8 last year and lost only one player of note, Julien Wright. KU returns an outstanding corps of players, including Shady Arthur, Sasha Kaun, Darnell Jackson, and Russell Robinson. The only question is how Brandon Rush, who suffered a torn ACL, will respond. He will return to the KU lineup around December 1. If he returns with his old form, KU is a legitimate national title contender and certainly a top five team. I hate to say it, but it just is true.

2. Texas. I know they lost Kevin Durant. I don't care. That team may actually be better. They have one of the two best point guards in the conference with D.J. Augustin. Texas will be a more balanced team this year, since they simply can't wait for Durant to win the game. I expect Texas's youngsters to take a giant step and play outstanding ball this year.

3. Missouri. Missouri has the other outstanding point guard in the conference, Stefon Hannah. Hannah will do an outstanding job leading the 40 minutes of hell that Mike Anderson is trying to get Missouri to play. DeMarre Carroll, a transfer from Vanderbilt, will help on the boards. There is a bit of addition from subtraction, as Anderson kicked Kalen Grimes off the team.

4. Kansas State.

Kansas State is led by senior leadership of Clent Stewart and David Hoskins, along with Blake Young, who has gotten some of his hops back after suffering and playing with a hurt knee last year. Add to that mix what some have called the best recruiting class in America, and KSU is loaded with potential. Michael Beasley, Billy Walker, and Jacob Pullen give Kansas State more weapons than they have ever had, perhaps. The question is how Kansas State melds the old with the new, and how the team responds to first time head coach Frank Martin. Kansas State has undeniable talent, but sometimes talent isn't enough. Texas last year finished 3rd in the Big 12 with an established head coach to go along with their young guns. Until Frank Martin proves he can coach and these youngsters prove they can play, Kansas State can be no higher than 4th.

5. Texas A&M. Mark Turgeon takes over the program, and he takes over a program that is on solid footing. Though Acie Law left, Billy Gillispie did not leave the cupboard bare. Joseph Jones returns and DeAndre Jordan will provide a solid anchor down load for the Aggies. Texas A&M, when they gel, will be oustanding.

6. Baylor. Scott Drew (and his new baby) have a very solid front court. Curtis Jerrells is an outstanding guard and will lead Baylor to a top half finish. That's amazing for a program that was on the edge of disaster just a few years ago.

7. Texas Tech. Tech loses their best player, but it's hard to count out Bobby Knight. Martin Zeno will be the center of the Texas Tech offense, and Coach Knight will have to figure out ways to get something out of his incoming freshmen.

8. Oklahoma. Jeff Capel did a good job trying to overcome the mess left by Kelvin Sampson. If there was an all name team, Longar Longar would certainly be first team. And along with a great name, he's got game.

9. Nebraska. Doc Sadler has perhaps the best big man in the conference, Aleks Maric. The big fella is an outstanding scorer. He will have some help from transfer Jeremy Barr. Sadler's teams play hard nosed defense and certainly could surprise some teams this year.

10. Oklahoma State. OSU is a complete question mark, as there are seven newcomers on the team. 10th is perhaps too high to start them.

11. Colorado. New coach Jeff Bzdelik found a way to turn Air Force--AIR FORCE--into a winner, and he will get Colorado to win too. He does have one outstanding player in Richard Roby, who was forced to try and do too much last year. This year, Bzdelik will have the team playing much more disciplined ball and will have Roby freed up for better looks. Colorado will definitely surprise people this year.

12. Iowa State. Mike Taylor, ISU's best and most dangerous player, was kicked off the team by coach Greg McDermott. ISU will find it very difficult to dig its way out of the cellar.

All Big 12 First Team

Brandon Rush-Kansas

D.J. Augustin-Texas

Joseph Jones-Texas A&M

Stefon Hannah-Missouri

Michael Beasley-Kansas State

All Big 12 Second Team

Billy Walker-Kansas State

Darrell Arthur-Kansas

Aleks Maric-Nebraska

Richard Roby-Colorado

Martin Zeno-Texas Tech