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Big 12 Basketball: What is the ceiling for each program for 2018-19?

By Chris Kern

OMAHA, NE - MARCH 25: Devonte' Graham #4 of the Kansas Jayhawks hoists the regional championship trophy after his team defeated the Duke Blue Devils in the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Midwest Regional at CenturyLink Center on March 25, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. The Kansas Jayhawks defeated the Duke Blue Devils 85-81. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
OMAHA, NE - MARCH 25: Devonte' Graham #4 of the Kansas Jayhawks hoists the regional championship trophy after his team defeated the Duke Blue Devils in the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Midwest Regional at CenturyLink Center on March 25, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. The Kansas Jayhawks defeated the Duke Blue Devils 85-81. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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AMES, IA – JANUARY 31: Donovan Jackson #4 of the Iowa State Cyclones celebrates with teammate Zoran Talley Jr. #23 of the Iowa State Cyclones after defeating the West Virginia Mountaineers 93-77 at Hilton Coliseum on January 31, 2018 in Ames, Iowa. The Iowa State Cyclones won 93-77 over the West Virginia Mountaineers. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA – JANUARY 31: Donovan Jackson #4 of the Iowa State Cyclones celebrates with teammate Zoran Talley Jr. #23 of the Iowa State Cyclones after defeating the West Virginia Mountaineers 93-77 at Hilton Coliseum on January 31, 2018 in Ames, Iowa. The Iowa State Cyclones won 93-77 over the West Virginia Mountaineers. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /

Iowa State Cyclones

The Iowa State Cyclones had a rough season. They weren’t expected to be an NCAA tournament team but they were by far the worst team in the Big 12.

The loss of guard Donovan Jackson is a going to hurt but they bring back a lot of key players so they’ll be just fine. They also bring in Virginia transfer Marial Shayok who is eligible after sitting out last season. He averaged 8.9 points and 2.4 rebounds per game in his junior season.

Lindell Wigginton and Cameron Lard were two of the top freshman in the country. This season as sophomores, they’ll be one of the best duos in the Big 12.

A year ago Wigginton averaged 16.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. While Lard averaged 12.6 points and 8.1 rebounds per game.

Anytime you have talented players like those two leading the way you have a shot to be really good. It’s the talent around those guys that should lead to this team being much improved, and getting into the NCAA tournament.

Nick Weiler-Babb and Solomon Young are two talented returning players who will have increased roles. They will do a great job complimenting the young stars in the starting lineup.

Four-star forward Talen Horton-Tucker should have a big role off of the bench. He is a really skilled player who was ranked as the 57th best prospect by 247sports.

This team is gonna have another year under their belt which is gonna be big for them. Bringing in a couple key guys will make up for the loss of Jackson.

This team is good enough to make the NCAA tournament or at the very least make the NIT. The talent they have is enough to pull off a couple wins as a lower seed. A Sweet 16 appearance is likely the farthest they could go.

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