Big 12 Basketball: 2018-19 preseason all-conference and awards predictions
By Chris Kern
All-Newcomer Team
Mike Cunningham
Mike Cunningham is heading to Oklahoma State as a graduate transfer after his time at USC Upstate. He averaged 12.3 points and 2.9 assists per game during his three seasons at the school.
With Michael Weathers being suspended that will open up a big role for Cunningham. This Oklahoma State team doesn’t bring back many scorers from last season. They’ll need guys like Cunningham to step up in a big way.
Makai Mason
Makai Mason became a star during the 2015-16 season. He averaged 16 points and 3.8 assists per game during that season. He capped it off by leading Yale to an upset over the 5th seeded Baylor bears during the NCAA tournament.
Now, a couple of years later, he has a chance to be a key player for the Baylor Bears. His health is a major concern though, he missed both of the past two seasons due to injury. If he can stay healthy he will have a big year as the starting point guard for this Baylor team.
Quentin Grimes
Quentin Grimes is the top incoming freshman in the conference. He has superstar potential and is going to be a key player for the Kansas Jayhawks this season.
He is a good player on both ends of the floor but his playmaking ability will be where he makes the difference. His ability to attack the basket and score the ball is going to be key for a Kansas team that lost Devonte Graham, Malik Newman, and Svi Mykhailuik.
Talen Horton-Tucker
Talen Horton-Tucker is an exciting player. He might not have a huge role right away but he will continue to make plays and will play a large role by conference play.
The Cyclones are led by sophomores Lindell Wigginton and Cameron Lard on the offensive end. It’s possible those guys aren’t gonna be four-year guys but Horton-Tucker gives this team as good of a young trio as there is in the country.
Dedric Lawson
Dedric Lawson is an absolute monster. He’s pretty much a lock to make this team. He dominated during his time at Memphis and he will do the same at Kansas.
Lawson has a chance to be an All-American and win Big 12 Player Of The Year so he’ll be on the All-Newcomer team. Look for Lawson to be the main guy on a team that wins the Big 12 by multiple games.