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 19, 2016; Denver , CO, USA; Iowa State Cyclones head coach Steve Prohm celebrates with Iowa State Cyclones guard Monte Morris (11) after Iowa State vs Arkansas Little Rock during the second round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Iowa State Cyclones

2015-2016 record: 23-12 (10-8 Big 12), NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

Key players gone: PF Georges Niang, SF Abdel Nader, C Jameel McKay, SG Hallice Cooke

Key returnees: PG Monte Morris, SG Naz Mitrou-Long, SG Matt Thomas, F Deonte Burton

Newcomers: PG Donovan Jackson (6’2″, 175, Iowa Western Community College), SG Nick Weiler-Babb (6’5″, 200, transfer from Arkansas), SG Jakolby Long (6’5″, 208, 100th ESPN 100), PF Darrell Bowie (6’8″, 218, transfer from Northern Illinois), PF Merrill Holden (6’8″, 224, transfer from Louisiana Tech), PF Solomon Young (6’8″, 240), PF Cameron Lard (6’8″, 220)

Iowa State lost a true superstar when Georges Niang finally ended his career. The senior finished his time as the second-leading scorer in Iowa State history with numerous accolades to his name. Losing two other starters in Abdel Nader and Jameel McKay means that plenty of minutes are available.

Injuries and youth resulted in last season’s team using just seven guys most evenings. The new Cyclone rotation has the chance to feature anywhere from eight to ten guys. Iowa State will likely go with a four-guard lineup with preseason All-American Monte Morris plus Naz Mitrou-Long, Matt Thomas, and Deonte Burton.

Merrill Holden is an enforcer down low and Darrell Bowie is a stretch forward coming off shoulder trouble. Both of them, plus JUCO transfer Donovan Jackson and former Razorback Nick Weiler-Babb, will all play important roles.

Head coach Steve Prohm had a dream situation in his first year after leaving Murray State for Ames. The returning talent is still largely there from the Fred Hoiberg-era, but this is the first year for Prohm to really experiment to try and improve ISU’s conference-worst defensive numbers. If the Cyclones shoot lights out and get a few more stops, there is a good chance they challenge Kansas in the regular season.

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