I am not generally that impressed by the Big 12. The fact that Kansas could win the regular season after being ravaged in the draft last year is partly a credit to their program, and partly a sign of the general weakness of the conference.

Best Team – Hard not to go with Oklahoma. They have the best player in the country and one of the top freshmen as well. That being said, I hate how they finished out the season – good teams shouldn’t lose three of their last five.

Worst Tournament Team – Texas A&M. They don’t have a truly inspiring win, their non-conference schedule was brutal, and Josh Carter is frustratingly inconsistent.

True Contenders – Oklahoma is the only team with final four potential in my eyes, but I don’t see them getting that far. Texas and possibly Kansas have elite eight potential, though I don’t see Kansas hold up under pressure this year.

Team That Bugs Me – Oklahoma State. This teams pouts – they follow up one bad performance with another one.

Potential to Rise Up – Missouri. They stumbled a bit in the last week of the season, losing two of three. Before that, though, they were playing tough, impressive ball. If they can find that form again then they could definitely see the second week.

Likely To Disappoint – I have to go with Oklahoma here. As I said, I don’t like how they closed out the season, and I think it is a sign of bigger problems. I also don’t like how they performed when they had the number one ranking in the palm of their hands. If they didn’t like that pressure, then how will they like what they will face i march?

Best Player – Bake Griffin. Obviously.

Player To Watch – Sherron Collins, G, Kansas. I could watch Collins all day. The guy is smooth like butter. If Kansas is going to go anywhere it will be on the shoulders of this star.

Overrated Player – A.J. Abrams, G, Texas. When he’s good he’s really, really good, but few players have more ability to disappear that he does.