Big 12 Basketball: Seniors headline the best conference in NCAA

Big 12 basketball seniors are showcasing their skills like never before in what is arguably the most competitive basketball conference this year.

We knew that coming into the 2015-2016 season that seniors would likely lead the way for many teams in the Big 12. After all, most of the headliners from last year were juniors and most returned to finish their careers in style before potential pro runs. These veterans have not disappointed and as a matter of fact they have completely over shined the multiple newcomers.

It’s not as though the senior leadership is limited to just the top teams, either. The only squad who doesn’t have a senior in the top five of their team’s scoring averages is TCU, who only has a single senior listed on their roster. In light of those facts, who then has the most to lose when the season (sadly) ends in a few weeks?

Baylor – The Bears lose Taurean Prince, Rico Gathers, and Lester Medford. This means they lose their first, second, and fifth leading scorers, their two best rebounders, and their top assist man. Baylor still has promising talent including Johnathan Motley, Al Freeman, and King McClure, but we probably won’t see as bruising of a roster next season.

Iowa State – The Cyclones caught a break for next year when Naz Mitrou-Long decided to shut it down for the season after eight games to recover from offseason hip surgery. If he’s granted a medical redshirt, ISU gets a fifth year returning senior to carry the torch. That said, the team loses Georges Niang, Abdel Nader, and Jameel McKay. These three are the team first, third, and fourth leading qualified scorers and their three best rebounders. There are plenty of backcourt reinforcements, though, to keep Iowa State running for the next couple years.

Kansas – Kansas will miss the services of the original Jayhawk, Perry Ellis. He is the team’s leading scorer, rebounder, and second best shooter. Jamari Traylor and Hunter Mickelson also graduate, so a bit more space could clear up in the front court of the team’s promising youth prospects decide to stick around.

Kansas State – The Kansas State Wildcats are one of the few teams not heavily affected by graduation day. Only Justin Edwards and Stephen Hurt represent meaningful production from the senior class, being the team’s second and seventh ranked scorers. Edwards is also the number one rebounder, so he will be missed, but not like other players on other teams with the number of underclassmen on roster.

Oklahoma – The Sooners will be caught in a similar position to Iowa State after this year. The team graduates Buddy Hield, Isaiah Cousins, Ryan Spangler, and Dinjiyl Walker. That means scorers one, two, four and seven are gone as well as the top three rebounders and the two of the top three distributors. Except for Jordan Woodard, OU’s rotation will be almost 100% different next year.

Oklahoma State – If Phil Forte gets a medical redshirt due to an elbow injury suffered in the team’s third game, then the Cowboys will only lose Jeff Newberry, Chris Olivier, and Anthony Allen Jr. These three are the teams second, fifth, and tenth best qualified scoring options. Newberry is also the team’s second best rebounder, but not a lot of production is lost elsewhere. Oklahoma State could be poised for big things next season with so many bodies getting time this year.

TCU – The Horned Frogs from Ft. Worth might be in an OK position after this year. They only graduate one senior, Devonta Abron. The forward is the team’s eighth ranked scorer and fifth best rebounder, so very little leaves the team. If Trent Johnson doesn’t get fired for his fourth straight losing record in conference play, TCU could trend upward in ’16-17.

Texas – The Longhorns are the last team that will get hit by multiple graduations to key players. Demarcus Holland, Javan Felix, Connor Lammert, and Prince Ibeh are gone. These five are the team’s second, fifth, seventh, and tenth qualified scorers, their two best rebounders, and two best long distance shooters. A special mention also goes to senior Cameron Ridley, who will also graduate with averages of 12.7 points, 10 rebounds, and 3.4 blocks per game. Texas will be fine in the long run, with so many bodies getting experience this year.

Texas Tech – The Red Raiders are playing phenomenally at seventh in the Big 12 at 8-7. They lose Devaugntah Williams and Toddrick Gotcher, the top two scorers from the team. Williams is one of the team’s best perimeter defenders, while Gotcher is the second best outside shooter. Even with these two gone, TTU is poised to make a push to the Big 12’s upper half next year.

West Virginia – The current second place team in the Big 12 might be the best positioned to dominate next year. The Mountaineers do lose Jonathan Holton and Jaysean Paige, the squads leading and fourth leading scorers. However, the system running in Morgantown needs very little in the way of traditional talent over decent bodies, so the multitude of juniors and sophomores will keep running and pressing in the future.

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What stands out the most to me is that every team team save Kansas State and TCU loses one of their top two scoring options. This year is the senior showcase but next season will feature tons of new faces to keep the Big 12 competitive.

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