1.) Kansas, anytime you have "the next LeBron" on your team, alongside great talent and greater coaching, you pick them.
2.) Oklahoma State, a lot of pressure for this team after a dismal performance in the NCAA tourney. Return their best 3 players who are very good, including Marcus Smart who will be the 2nd best player in the league next year. Their lack of coaching puts them here.
3.) Iowa State, the wild card in this league. If the talent pans out, this team will be a threat come March. If the talent is not as good as hoped, could be a long year.
4.) Baylor, people might not like this pick, but losing Pierre Jackson is going to cripple this team. The twin towers down low were serviceable last season, but can they lead a team? I don't think so.
5.) Oklahoma, Two words: Lon. Kruger. Oklahoma lost a lot but I have faith in that coach to get them to a top 5 finish in the league. Plus I really don't know what they added.
6.) Texas, i am not a Rick Barnes fan by any means, but he can lead this team who is still very young to this finish. last years team had flashes of their potential and its up to Barnes to maximize on it.
7.) West Virginia, this team should be a little more adapted to the Big 12. its going to be a struggle as they are still fit for the Big East. it should change in the next few years but right now they just arent Big 12 ready.
8.) Kansas State, lets see how the reigning COTY handles this. I doubt he handles it well. Lost their their best players who arguably lead the team to a 1st place tie last season. Didn't add much to help fix that either.
9.) Texas Tech, losing Josh Gray hurts, badly. Tubby Smith has his work cut out for him.
10.) Texas Christian, had a chance to 8th or 9th but just not enough talent to get them over the hump.