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 /

6 of 12

Feb 13, 2016; Waco, TX, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Keenan Evans (12) and forward Zach Smith (11) and forward Aaron Ross (15) react during the second half against the Baylor Bears at Ferrell Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Texas Tech Red Raiders

2015-2016 record: 19-13 (9-9 Big 12), NCAA Tournament 1st round

Key players gone: SG Toddrick Gotcher, PG Devaugntah Williams, PG C.J. Williamson, SG Jordan Jackson

Key returnees: PF Aaron Ross, PF Zach Smith, SF Justin Gray, PG Keenan Evans , C Norense Odiase, C Matthew Temple, PG Devon Thomas

Newcomers: PG Giovanni McLean (6’1″, 195, transfer from Quinnipiac), SG Niem Stevenson (6’5″, 185, Seward County [KS] Community College), SG Shadell Millinghaus (6’2″, 200, transfer from Northwest Florida State College), PF Anthony Livingston (6’8″, 230, transfer from Arkansas State)

Texas Tech could have the most crowded rotation of any team in the Big 12 this year. Two important guards and two depth pieces are gone, but seven contributors are back from last season’s surprise NCAA Tournament run. Four transfers from the junior college and graduate transfer ranks also come aboard for potentially epic position battles.

New head coach Chris Beard has a nice core of returning talent between wing players Keenan Evans and Justin Gray, and forwards Aaron Ross, Zach Smith and Norense Odiase. Those five guys are the five highest returning scorers and each one will have an important part of play this season.

Anthony Livingston, Giovanni McLean and Shadell Millinghaus all also have D1 experience. However, Niem Stevenson has the best chance of any newcomer to crack the starting lineup after averaging nearly 25 points in junior college. There won’t be many holes on this roster, as the big question will revolve around how the Red Raiders adjust to a new coaching style.

Last season’s Big Dance invite was a huge shock to much of America. Tubby Smith turned around the program in just three seasons before jetting off to Memphis.

Coach Beard was an assistant under Bob Knight and his son, Pat, so he should be very familiar with the perils of Texas basketball recruiting. The team certainly has enough talent to hang tough in the Big 12 and get to at least the NIT.

Home/Big 12