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Big 12 Basketball: 3 bold predictions for the 2019-20 season

By Brian Rauf

AUSTIN, TEXAS - JANUARY 29: Head coach Shaka Smart of the Texas Longhorns reacts as his team plays the Kansas Jayhawks at The Frank Erwin Center on January 29, 2019 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TEXAS - JANUARY 29: Head coach Shaka Smart of the Texas Longhorns reacts as his team plays the Kansas Jayhawks at The Frank Erwin Center on January 29, 2019 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 18: Jahmius Ramsey #10 of Team Ramsey looks on during warm ups before the game against Team Stanley during the SLAM Summer Classic 2018 at Dyckman Park on August 18, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 18: Jahmius Ramsey #10 of Team Ramsey looks on during warm ups before the game against Team Stanley during the SLAM Summer Classic 2018 at Dyckman Park on August 18, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

1) Jahmius Ramsey will be the conference’s best freshman and a borderline lottery pick

While star freshmen and NBA Draft prospects headline most other conferences, but the Big 12 is decidedly lacking in rookie star power. No top 30 prospects committed to one of the conference’s 10 programs as experienced returners have served as the headliners.

The most talked-about freshman in the Big 12 is West Virginia’s Oscar Tshiebwe, but it’s Texas Tech combo guard Jahmius Ramsey that will turn the most heads – and end up being the first Big 12 player picked in the 2020 NBA Draft.

Ramsey is a perfect fit for Chris Beard’s system in Lubbock. He’s big and strong at 6-4 and 195 pounds, rebounds his position, and plays hard-nosed defense. However, it’s what he can do on the other end of the court that will differentiate himself on a Texas Tech roster looking for a new go-to guy post-Jarrett Culver.

Because of his size and ball-handling ability, Ramsey can play anywhere on the perimeter. He has the quickness and strength to get to the rim whenever he wants, where he excels as a finisher. Ramsey can throw down some highlight-reel dunks, too.

The only real weakness in Ramsey’s game right now is his shooting. It’s not that he can’t make shots from three-point range, but he was inconsistent in that area throughout his high school career. If he improves in that area, Ramsey will be unstoppable offensively and might be the country’s best two-way players.

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