Big 12 Basketball: Preseason Player of the Year candidates for 2018-19

By Chris Kern | Sep 29, 2018

BOSTON, MA - MARCH 23: Sagaba Konate #50 of the West Virginia Mountaineers is defended by Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree #21 of the Villanova Wildcats during the first half in the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament East Regional at TD Garden on March 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

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ATLANTA, GA – MARCH 22: Dean Wade #32 of the Kansas State Wildcats is defended by Sacha Killeya-Jones #1 of the Kentucky Wildcats in the first half during the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament South Regional at Philips Arena on March 22, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Dean Wade

The Kansas State Wildcats made it all the way to the Elite 8 without their star big man. With Dean Wade back healthy this team has a chance to be that good all season long. They likely provide the biggest threat to the Kansas Jayhawks in the Big 12 conference.

Dean Wade earned All-Big 12 honors last season for his stellar play. He averaged 16.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game.

His ability to score the ball in a variety of ways is what makes him so difficult to defend. He shot 44% from three-point range while he also upped his free throw percentage from 66% to 75%.

The Kansas State offense is completely different with him in the lineup. This is a complete team on both ends of the floor and a final four sleeper. It’s hard to imagine they knock off the Jayhawks, but if they can stay within a game or two, it’s very possible that Dean Wade brings home the Big 12 Player Of The Year award.

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