2006 Big 12 Basketball Predictions

2006 Big Twelve Preview

This is not the most prestigious conference in the nation, but the Big 12 is certainly on the upswing. Look for the Jayhawks, Aggies, Longhorns and Cowboys to all be contenders.

The Kansas Jayhawks have the top seven scorers back and are poised to run the table at the NCAA Tournament, if they can just get past the first round. They are young, fast and deep.

It’s inside-out for Texas A&M, with Acie Law and Joseph Jones creating a formidable tandem. The Aggies welcome just about everyone of their players back from last season. They have become one of the top teams in the Big 12.

The Texas Longhorns are not as good as they were last season, but that does not mean that they are bad. This is a young team that lacks that upperclassmen mix that is so helpful in creating championship teams. If the frosh can play like vets, the Longhorns could be a team to watch.

Oklahoma State possesses some fine recruits, returns many of its best scorers and has coach Sean Sutton to carry on the winning ways of his dad, former head coach Eddie Sutton. This team was on a roll at the end of 2005- 06 and has the opportunity to improve upon that experience in 2006- 07.

The Texas Tech Red Raiders of Bobby Knight have two fine guards in Martin Zeno and Jarrius Jackson and a solid freshman class of front men, but can coach Knight get the inexperienced players to contribute their fair share? Look for Knight’s frustration to fester throughout the season.

Kansas State hired Bob Huggins to create buzz and action in the basketball program, and he’s certainly done that. Coach Huggins is bringing discipline to the Wildcats, however that discipline may result in the talented Cartier Martin not returning after his suspension is up.

At Oklahoma, coach Jeff Capel relieves coach Kevin Sampson of his duties. Capel is a fine coach, but the Sooners lack depth and need more offense than all the threes that Michael Neal will throw in.

The Baylor Bears have improved over last year but they are still a young team in need of experience. They’ll be much better next season but pretty good in 2006- 07. They possess a fine, dependable backcourt.

The return of Richard Roby to Colorado will give the team a real scoring threat, but there’s not much depth here. The Buffaloes will rely a lot on the numerous freshmen that occupy their roster.

Greg McDermott will try to make something happen at Iowa State, where the Cyclones have a lot of youthful vigor and not much else. New coach Doc Sadler will define the future of the Nebraska Cornhuskers, while another new coach, Mike Anderson, will try to do the same for the Missouri Tigers.

2006 Big 12 Basketball Predictions

Projected Order of Finish, Click on Team Name for Individual Team Preview:

1) Kansas Jayhawks
2) Texas A&M Aggies
3) Texas Longhorns
4) Oklahoma State Cowboys
5) Texas Tech Red Raiders
6) Kansas State Wildcats
7) Oklahoma Sooners
8) Iowa State Cyclones
9) Baylor Bears
10) Colorado Buffalo
11) Nebraska Cornhuskers
12) Missouri Tigers