Big 12 Basketball: Preseason conference power rankings for 2023-24 season

3. Houston Cougars

Last season: 33-4, 17-1 in the AAC

The Cougars are another addition from the AAC looking to make their mark in the Big 12 this upcoming season. Jamal Shead, J’Wan Roberts, Emanuel Sharp, Ja’Vier Francis and Terrance Arceneaux are the key names returning while Damian Dunn (Temple) and L.J. Cryer (Baylor) join the rotation out of the transfer portal.

Houston should be a welcoming addition to the conference given their pedigree for playing gritty defense and producing talent for the next level. Shead should be a solid floor general to run the show after posting 10.5 ppg, 5.4 apg, 3.0 rpg and 1.7 spg. He’s a high-level playmaker who should work well to bring along sophomore Terrance Arceneaux and transfers Damian Dunn and L.J. Cryer.

Arceneaux is a prospect with breakout potential with the Cougars at 6-foot-5 on the wing after finishing with 3.7 ppg and 2.5 rpg across 34 appearances as a freshman. He’s got the potential to grow a ton as a Most Improved Player award candidate. Dunn was a familiar foe to the Cougars in the AAC as one of the leading names with Temple, posting 15.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg and 3.0 apg on 34.8 percent shooting from behind the arc.

Cryer joins with Big 12 experience and a national title under his belt from Baylor. He’ll look to inject life and offense into this group after putting up 15.0 ppg, 2.1 apg and 2.1 rpg on 41.5 percent shooting from deep. He’ll be a player with Sixth Man of the Year potential with this group.

J’Wan Roberts and Ja’Vier Francis have the potential to play bigger roles in the frontcourt as well. Roberts was a full-time starter this past year after averaging 10.0 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 1.3 bpg and 1.2 spg on 61.2 percent shooting from the floor. Francis averaged 4.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg and 1.1 bpg as a sophomore.