Big 12 Basketball: Kansas to earn 13th straight conference title?

By Doug Winkey | Oct 5, 2016

Mar 26, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Devonte' Graham (4) celebrates with teammates after a play against the Villanova Wildcats during the second half of the south regional final of the NCAA Tournament at KFC YUM!. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mar 5, 2016; Waco, TX, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers head coach Bob Huggins (L) huddles with his team during a timeout in the closing minute against the Baylor Bears during the second half at Ferrell Center. The Mountaineers won 69-58. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports /

3. West Virginia Mountaineers

2015-2016 record: 26-9 (13-5 Big 12), NCAA Tournament 1st round

Key players gone: G Jaysean Paige, PF Devin Williams, SF Jonathan Holton

Key returnees: G Jevon Carter, G Daxter Miles Jr., G Tarik Phillip, PF Esa Ahmed, PF Nathan Adrian, PF Elijah Macon, G Teyvon Myers

Newcomers: PG James Bolden (6’0″, 160, redshirt 2015-2016), PG Chase Harler (6’3″, 180), PF Maciej Bender (6’10”, 235), PF Sagaba Konate (6’8″, 240)

I have no doubt that West Virginia will still be one of the toughest opponents in conference play. Head coach Bob Huggins has built the Mountaineer program into a team that causes turnovers and volume scoring over efficiency.

The offseason departures stripped WVU of a lot of rebounding and pressure defense, but options remain for a dangerous rotation. Tarik Phillip, Jevon Carter and Daxter Miles Jr. are one of the best back courts in the country with their combination of scoring and defense. Teyvon Myers and maybe even freshmen James Bolden or Chase Harler could mix it up.

Must Read: Mountaineers ready to press the Big 12 again

Up front, the Mountaineers feature stretch forward Nathan Adrian plus Elijah Macon, Esa Ahmed and potentially Poland native Maciej Bender. Fouls will still come and that could be a much bigger concern with slightly less proven depth.

West Virginia will still be among the best defenses in both the Big 12 and country. Coach Huggins has proven his squads will always compete no matter the talent available.

The biggest questions for the Mountaineers are if the team’s forwards improved enough and can the guards shoot better. WVU finished ninth in team 3-point percent ahead of just Kansas State, but expect another NCAA birth and for them to be a strong contender in the Big 12 race.

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