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 26, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Frank Mason III (0) reacts after making a three pointer during the second half against the Villanova Wildcats in the south regional final of the NCAA Tournament at KFC YUM!. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Kansas Jayhawks

2015-2016 record: 33-5 (15-3 Big 12), NCAA Tournament Elite Eight

Key players gone: PF Perry Ellis, SF Wayne Seldon Jr., SF Brannen Greene, PF Cheick Diallo, PF Jamari Traylor, C Hunter Mickelson

Key returnees: PG Frank Mason III, PG Devonte’ Graham, PF Landen Lucas, SG Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, PF Carlton Bragg Jr., SG Lagerald Vick

Newcomers: SG Josh Jackson (6’8″, 200, 2nd ESPN 100), PF Dwight Coleby (6’9″, 240, transfer from Ole Miss), PF Mitch Lightfoot (6’8″, 210, 67th ESPN 100), C Udoka Azubuike (7’0″, 280, 22nd ESPN 100)

Kansas looks like a lock to do it again. The Jayhawks are everyone’s easy preseason favorite to win their 13th conference title in a row. Even with six forwards gone, KU’s rotation has plenty of firepower to hold off Iowa State and West Virginia.

You can’t talk about this team’s potential without focusing on the back court group of Frank Mason III, Devonte’ Graham and Josh Jackson. These three could be absolutely lethal together and will be tough for any perimeter group to defend. Behind them are potential lottery picks Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk and former top 100 player Lagerald Vick.

The big concerns are clearly up front with six big bodies gone. Carlton Bragg Jr. and Laden Lucas are primed for starting roles and bigger production. Behind them is Ole Miss enforcer Dwight Coleby, who comes off ACL trouble, and freshmen Udoka Azuibuike and Mitch Lightfoot.

Next: Three burning questions for Duke

Anything is possible in Big 12 play, but don’t count on Kansas finishing any worse than first. Another deep NCAA Tournament run is also easily achievable for the most consistent program in the country.

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