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 9, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; TCU Horned Frogs guard Brandon Parrish (11) shoots the ball as Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Aaron Ross (15) looks on in the first half during the Big 12 Conference tournament at Sprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

9. TCU Horned Frogs

2015-2016 record: 12-21 (2-16 Big 12)

Key players gone: PG Chauncey Collins, PF Devonta Abron

Key returnees: SG Malique Trent, PF Vladimir Brodziansky, SF Brandon Parrish, C Karviar Shepherd, PF JD Miller, C Chris Washburn, PG Michael Williams, SG Kenrich Williams (DNP 2015-2016)

Newcomers: PG Jaylen Fisher (6’2″, 195, 34th ESPN 100), SG Desmond Bane (6’5″, 215), SF Josh Parrish (6’5″, 220), PF Kouat Noi (6’7″, 205), PG Alex Robinson (6’1″, 180, transfer from Texas A&M)

I’m bullish on TCU this season. I think bringing alumnus Jamie Dixon was a home run move for a program that has struggled mightily in terms of transitioning to Big 12 basketball. The returning talent isn’t particularly impressive given their record last year, but Dixon is a proven commodity that should make this team more competitive.

Important pieces across the board return for the Horned Frogs. Brandon Parrish, Kenrich Williams, and Malique Trent are all capable of producing in different ways from the perimeter. New point guards Jaylen Fisher and Alex Robinson should be much more efficient distributors than the departed Chauncey Collins.

The front court needs to toughen up a lot, but the platoon of Vladimir Brodziansky, JD Miller, Karviar Shepherd, and Chris Washburn could benefit greatly from Dixon’s experience in terms of developing big men.

TCU doesn’t have the raw talent to push for the middle of the Big 12, but I actually think they can sneak past Oklahoma State and into ninth place if Fisher can adjust to the flow of the game quickly.

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