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Big 12 Basketball: Way-too-early power rankings for 2022-23 season

By Joey Loose

Apr 4, 2022; New Orleans, LA, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Remy Martin (left) and guard Dajuan Harris Jr. (center) and guard Christian Braun (right) celebrates their win against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the 2022 NCAA men's basketball tournament Final Four championship game at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2022; New Orleans, LA, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Remy Martin (left) and guard Dajuan Harris Jr. (center) and guard Christian Braun (right) celebrates their win against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the 2022 NCAA men's basketball tournament Final Four championship game at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Big 12 Basketball West Virginia Mountaineers head coach Bob Huggins Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Big 12 Basketball West Virginia Mountaineers head coach Bob Huggins Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports /

6. West Virginia

The Mountaineers have now been in the Big 12 for over a decade and you can bet that Bob Huggins is doing his best to keep his program as a contender on a regular basis. Last year was a step back for the Mountaineers, finishing just 4-14 in conference play and really struggling at times. However, very little remains from last year’s squad, with Huggins putting together quite the transfer-laden lineup.

Former Texas big man Tre Mitchell is expected to bounce back this season, while the Mountaineers will also lean heavily on former South Carolina guard Erik Stevenson for scoring. Former Washington wing Emmitt Matthews Jr. and former Saint Louis center Jimmy Bell Jr. join a suddenly talented backcourt. Guard Kedrian Johnson is the only significant talent returning from last year on a roster filled with size and experience.

The Mountaineers definitely lost some serious talent from last season, but are replacing those with some legitimate pieces. If some of these players can take those big next steps in their new home, then West Virginia will absolutely be a contender in the Big 12. After all, you don’t keep a Huggins team down for long; especially one that was abhorrent at interior offense and rebounding last season. With all this new size, that shouldn’t happen again.

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