Big 12 Basketball: Way-too-early power rankings for 2021-22 season

1. Kansas Jayhawks

Projected Starting Lineup:

PG: Remy Martin

SG: Ochai Agbaji

SF: Jalen Wilson

PF: Sydney Curry

C: David McCormack

Kansas is coming back with a vengeance, as they are reloading with talent. The only main talent they lose is Marcus Garrett, as they similar to Oklahoma State, lose very little to the portal.

Quite a bit of the rotations comes with the decision of five-star point guard TyTy Washington. Washington’s top five consists of LSU, Kentucky, Kansas, Baylor, and Arizona. Outside of him though, Kansas returns three starters from last year and among the best JUCO players from college basketball a year ago in Sydney Curry

Curry’s build is similar to Azubuike but doesn’t quite have the shot-blocking presence. He alongside McCormack should hopefully go for what Bill Self wants.

This starting rotation brings length and height, that the Jayhawks at times lacked a year ago, especially on the defensive end.

The biggest splash coming from the Jayhawks was the announcement of former Arizona State point guard Remy Martin entering the program. Martin is familiar with the Jayhawks as his Sun Devils defeated Kansas in consecutive seasons in 2017 and 2018. Martin combined for 31 points in those performances.

Martin was among the most prized players left in the portal and has career shooting splits of 42/33/76 while averaging 14.9 points a game. Martin’s name is still in the NBA Draft, so there is a possibility he goes. However if not, he instantly becomes a top-five player in the conference.

Bill Self’s squad brings back among the most experienced in the conference and is peppered with talent across the entire roster.

Kansas and Baylor should be the two teams leading the pack heading into the season, with Texas not too far behind at third. However, Bill Self can win some big games when needed to and this upcoming year’s roster is better than his last.

Final Record: 27-4 (15-3)