Busting Brackets
Fansided

Big 12 Basketball: Way-too-early power rankings for 2020-21 season

By Jason Kinander

LAWRENCE, KANSAS - JANUARY 11: Christian Braun #2, Isaiah Moss #4, Silvio De Sousa #22, and David McCormack #33 of the Kansas Jayhawks walk onto the court after a timeout late in the game as the Baylor Bears defeated Kansas to win the game at Allen Fieldhouse on January 11, 2020 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
LAWRENCE, KANSAS - JANUARY 11: Christian Braun #2, Isaiah Moss #4, Silvio De Sousa #22, and David McCormack #33 of the Kansas Jayhawks walk onto the court after a timeout late in the game as the Baylor Bears defeated Kansas to win the game at Allen Fieldhouse on January 11, 2020 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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MANHATTAN, KS – FEBRUARY 29: Head coach Bruce Weber of the Kansas State Wildcats (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images)
MANHATTAN, KS – FEBRUARY 29: Head coach Bruce Weber of the Kansas State Wildcats (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images) /

10. Kansas State Wildcats

2019-20 Finish: 10th

Who’s Back?

The Kansas State Wildcats had a dismal 2019-20 season, finishing in last place in the Big 12. Unfortunately for Bruce Weber’s group, not much talent is heading back to Manhattan. Returning for the Wildcats are Mike McGuirl, a rising senior forward and the last remaining contributor from the 2018-19 Big 12 co-Champion team. Alongside McGuirl are Dajuan Gordon and David Sloan, who played about as well as possible last season on one of the conference’s thinnest squads.

Who’s Gone?

Leaving Manhattan are Xavier Sneed and Makol Mawien, a pair of seniors that were the best players on last season’s Kansas State roster. The two accounted for the majority of the scoring and defensive contributions for Weber’s group, and their absences will certainly be felt. Aside from Sneed and Mawien’s inevitable expiration of eligibility is the surprising decision of junior guard Cartier Diarra to transfer. Diarra was a key role player on a pair of K-State tournament teams, but his inability to be an impact-maker in the locker room was obvious, but his contributions on-court will be missed.

Who’s Coming?

Kansas State hasn’t exactly been a recruiting hub in recent years, but the Wildcats are bringing in Nijel Pack, a 4-star recruit and point guard. The other notable new name alongside Pack is Kaosi Ezeagu, a graduate transfer from UTEP. The Wildcats will look a whole lot different than last season, with as many as four new starters.

The Bottom Line

Kansas State is entering year two of a rebuilding phase, which results in little expectations. A successful season for the Wildcats would consist of staying competitive, developing a team around Gordon, and assimilating Pack into the starting line up in an effort to build towards 2021.

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