Last year coming into the season this conference looked strong and one to be reckoned with, but this year I don’t think the same statement can be made. Way too many early departures across the conference have left this conference looking like one of the weaker of the biggies in my opinion. Thus they may be the most fade-able in early season action.
They got 6 bids last year, but I don’t see that happening this year. Missouri took one with them to the SEC. Texas A&M is also gone. Insert TCU to get boot-stomped this year even by a down league & West Virginia. I think they end up with 3 bids max at season’s end.
I have to return to the well this year with Baylor and Kansas as the top teams at season’s end. I think Kansas can win the crown.
One team I like to make big improvements on last year is Okie St. I think this Nash & Smart combo could be one to watch. I have them sneaking into the tourney.
I know I should probably include K State on this list of top teams and would have no hesitation if Frank Martin was still the head coach there, but with Bruce Webber at the helm I have major hesitation doing so. This team, unlike many others I can name, was a true representation of their coach on the court. Grit, heart and fight to win games that maybe they shouldn’t win, but with Martin gone I can’t buy that the team will be the same on the court that we’ve known them to be under him. Things go awry early, and B dubyah could be losing himself another team like last year with Illinois.