Summer Session: In Big 12, Less Is More

Much of the talk in the Big 12 this summer has been about conference realignment and how less could mean more for the power conference.

Enough about that already.

We know that in the next two years both Nebraska and Colorado will be in other conferences, and in terms of basketball that means next to nothing.

The real story on the hardwood is the Big 12, despite losing some big name stars this offseason to the NBA, has again positioned itself to compete with the Big East, Big Ten and ACC for the title of the best conference in the country.

The Big 12 laid stake to the claim all of last season it was the best conference in the country and even the Sagarin ranking supported the assertion. The problem was when the Final Four rolled around, the Big 12 was nowhere to be found.

But this year, expect the usual suspects like Texas and Kansas to make national noise early while relative newcomers Kansas State and Baylor could actually end up the toast of the nation.

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Comings and Goings

When you have a banner season like the Big 12 had last year, the expectation is for major losses to the NBA and the league certainly had some. The Big 12 saw upcoming stars Ekpe Udoh (Baylor), Xavier Henry (Kansas), Avery Bradley (Texas) and James Anderson (Oklahoma State) all bolt with eligibility remaining as the conference saw a best-ever seven players go in the first round of June's NBA draft.

There was also more upheaval, but not necessarily the best kind, as two of Oklahoma's young stars unexpectedly bolted to the NBA and both ended up in the second round. Sophomore guard Willie Warren started the shocking wave when he announced he was leaving the struggling Sooners despite not playing up to his potential. Then came freshman center Tiny Gallon, who announced he was leaving to pursue a NBA career shortly after news broke he had taken $3,000 from a financial advisor which has triggered an NCAA violation.

Texas, which suffered a historic nose-dive from a team that was 17-0 and ranked No.1 in the country to a team that couldn't buy a win at the end, has also made the news this summer as Rick Barnes has taken some recruiting hits for the class of 2011. But his biggest and most pressing loss came this week when former starting point guard Varez Ward informed his coaches he was leaving the program to be closer to his ailing mother. Ward, who began last season as the starter before suffering a season-ending injury, is transferring to Auburn to be closer to his hometown of Montgomery. Even with players Jai Lucas and Dogus Balbay returning and some new talent coming in, the Longhorns will miss Ward's leadership, ability to make good decisions with the ball and maybe most of all, his on-ball defending ability.

But like all of college spots, it's not necessarily who has left that becomes the major news. It's who's coming in and once again the Big 12 has some promising young stars who are almost certain to be of the one-and-done variety.

Kansas, which seems to reload every season, has once again replaced a roster of stars with equally talented stars. The Jayhawks inked No.1 player and McDonald's All-American point guard Josh Selby during the last signing period in the spring to help overcome the loss of Sherron Collins, Cole Aldrich and Henry. Texas also didn't do too badly by bringing in McDonald's All-Americans Cory Joseph at point guard and 6-foot-10 power forward Tristan Thompson as impact players at critical areas of weakness.

But the biggest coup had to come the way of Kansas State, which signed a Top 10 class and Baylor, which landed big-time prospect and McDonald's All-American Perry Jones, making both the Wildcats and Bears major threats again in 2011.

On the coaching front, there are two changes in the Big 12 this season. Former Iowa State great Fred "The Mayor" Hoiberg returns to his alma mater and hometown for his first head coaching assignment. Tad Boyle takes over at Colorado after third-year coach Jeff Bzdelik unexpectedly bolted for Wake Forest with the Buffaloes seemingly on the rise.

Up and Coming Storylines

• After years of being the doormats of the Big 12, this could actually be the year both Baylor and Kansas State reign supreme over the conference. With quality players like LaceDarius Dunn and Jones, the Bears won't be surprising anyone this season as they look to improve on their Elite Eight march last season.

• Kansas State, which also advanced to the Elite Eight, could be on the verge of a serious breakthrough with guard Jacob Pullen leading the way. Look for Frank Martin to quickly become one of the hottest coaches in the country.

• The opposite unfortunately may be said Oklahoma's Jeff Capel, whose program seems to be crumbling around him. The Sooners are currently under NCAA investigation for major rules violations because of the money Gallon and his mother may have taken. It gets stickier because also being looked into is the role former OU assistant coach Oronde Taliaferro made have played in the relationship between Gallon and the financial advisor.

Also in the backdrop is concern about what is happening on the floor. Two years removed from a 30-6 Elite Eight campaign, the Sooners suffered their first losing season (13-18) in Capel's four years. Capel has since lost a couple to the NBA draft and chased off a few of what he considers problem players. He has a decent class coming in and there need to be immediate signs of improvement to convince OU to stay the course.

• Another coach who could face some heat this season will be Texas Tech coach Pat Knight. Entering his third season, Knight needs to establish himself and come out of the shadow of his Hall of Fame father Bob Knight, whom he inherited the job from in 2008. The Red Raiders have seven players returning from last season's 19-16 NIT quarterfinals team, including leading scorers Mike Singletary and John Roberson. Knight will need to do something to re-energize a fan base that became disinterested as the team struggled last season with only about 5,000 bothering to show up at the United Spirit Arena for Big 12 games.

Summer Power Rankings

1. Kansas -- The Jayhawks will remain on top with Tyshawn Taylor taking over the spotlight.
2. Kansas State -- Pullen's strong drive will lead the Wildcats back near the top.
3. Baylor -- The Bears had the talent to make it to the Final Four last year, just lacked experience.
4. Missouri -- Mike Anderson has a collection of players who can play his style of basketball.
5. Texas A&M -- Long an afterthought, Mark Turgeon has kept the Aggies in the NCAA tourney mix.
6. Texas -- If J'Covan Brown gets out of Rick Barnes doghouse this could be a breakout year.
7. Oklahoma State -- Freshman forward Michael Cobbins will surprise a few people.
8. Colorado -- Buffaloes may take step back with coaching change.
9. Texas Tech -- No matter what, the program just can't sustain excitement.
10. Oklahoma -- Cade Davis has taken on leadership role but will that be enough?
11. Nebraska -- The Cornhuskers will remain at the bottom their final year in league.
12. Iowa State -- Fred Hoiberg will have his coaching hat handed to him in the Big 12.


Watch List

Not necessarily the preseason All-Big 12 but five players who bear watching in 2010-11

G - LaceDarius Dunn, Baylor -- With Tweety Carter and Udoh gone, Dunn will prove to an elite scorer.

G - Josh Selby, Kansas -- Many expect him to be Bill Self's next one-and-done star.

G - Marcus Denmon, Missouri -- Could emerge as the league's best scorer.

F - Jamar Samuels, Kansas State -- Was easily the best sixth man in the league, let's see what he does as starter.

F - Tristan Thompson, Texas -- Strength and athleticism makes him Damion James and Dexter Pittman combined.