Big 12 Basketball: 2018-19 preseason all-conference and awards predictions
By Chris Kern
All-Defensive Team
Barry Brown
Barry Brown is one of the best on-ball defenders in the country. He can make plays on that end as he averaged 1.8 steals per game last season.
His effort on that end of the floor makes him one of the best two-way players in the country. He might be the best defender in the conference with Jevon Carter graduating from West Virginia.
Kerwin Roach
Kerwin Roach is one of the most athletic players in the game and it helps him make a big impact on the defensive end of the floor. Last season he averaged 1.5 steals per game.
Look for Roach to continue to use that to his advantage as he makes even more plays for his team. He continues to become a better on-ball defender but his ability to make big plays is why he’s on this list.
Xavier Sneed
Xavier Sneed is another guy who makes a ton plays due to his athleticism. Last season he averaged 1.6 steals per game which was an increase from the 0.9 he averaged his freshman year.
Sneed was forced to play a lot of minutes as a small ball big in the NCAA tournament due to injuries and that will benefit him this season. They should have depth inside so he won’t play a lot inside but he should be able to lock down opposing small forwards.
Udoka Azubuike
Udoka Azubuike makes a big impact around the rim on the defensive end. He isn’t the most athletic guy so he doesn’t fill up the stat sheets with blocks but he still averaged 1.7 blocks per game last season.
Azubuike is gonna protect the rim for a team that will try to be better defensively than they were a year ago. The Jayhawks will look to improve their defense on the perimeter, but Azubuike will make it difficult on their opponents inside.
Sagaba Konate
Sagaba Konate might be the best rim protector in all of college basketball. He averaged 3.2 blocks per game last season.
The impact his blocks had on the game was enormous. So many times opposing guards would try to drive and finish over him and he would send it back in a major way. His defensive presence will be huge for this West Virginia team this season.