The idiom coined by way of Benjamin Franklin at the few certainties in lifestyles is really an previous one nevertheless it nevertheless bears repeating as it has stood the check of time: Nothing will also be stated to make certain aside from loss of life, taxes, and Kansas not easy the glory and adoration of all us spreadsheet super-nerds who preach and venture school basketball. Lather, rinse, repeat, child. [taps index finger to ear] OH I’m in fact getting phrase from my manufacturer this is now not the previous Franklin quote.
OK, so possibly Mr. Franklin was once on this explicit example regarding simplest loss of life and taxes as constants within the past due 1700s, yet you recognize what? It’s 2023. It’s time for an modification. We would possibly as smartly adapt the above into our up to date vernacular, since the Bill Self-led Kansas Jayhawks — as soon as once more — venture because the transparent No. 1 staff in our preseason Big 12 ballot taken by way of our staff of professionals throughout the CBS Sports circle of relatives. And for just right measure, too: KU’s No. 1 spot was once unanimous amongst our panel this yr, led by way of Michigan import Hunter Dickinson, who takes the crown as our Preseason Big 12 Player of the Year.
After profitable no less than a proportion of the Big 12 common season in 17 seasons since taking on in 2003 (!), Self has a Kansas staff preferred now not simply to win the league’s championship, yet to win the NCAA championship, in line with up to date making a bet odds. That check throughout the convention may not come simple or with out its traps, even though, due to the brand new additions of Houston, Cincinnati, BYU and UCF, and the always-tough challengers of Baylor, Texas, Kansas State and others mendacity in wait.
So how can we see the league shaking out this yr? Enough with the teasing — let’s hop to it.
Missy Minear/Kansas Athletics
CBS Sports Big 12 Preseason Player of the Year
Hunter Dickinson | C | Kansas
Best participant on the most productive staff. That’s the transparent and concise argument for why we have now Dickinson as our Preseason Player of the Year select within the Big 12. The three-time All-Big Ten performer averaged 17.2 issues and 8.4 rebounds in 3 seasons at Michigan and now heads to play at KU in a device that are supposed to function him much more. He’s been a constant rebounder and environment friendly scorer all the way through his school profession, and his prolific stat-stuffing will do wonders for a Jayhawks staff in want of balance down low.
Four extra players to look at within the Big 12
Tylor Perry | PG | Kansas State: The 2022-23 Conference USA Player of the Year must are compatible like a glove in Jerome Tang’s guard-friendly device, changing tiny-but-mighty celebrity Markquis Nowell in Manhattan, Kansas. Perry averaged 17.3 issues and 2.1 assists according to recreation final season for a North Texas staff that gained 31 video games.
Dylan Disu | PF | Texas: Few players had been as impactful within the postseason final yr than Disu. He averaged 22.5 issues and 10 rebounds according to recreation in two NCAA Tournament appearances ahead of an damage sidelined him for the UConn recreation. He must be capable to select up the place he left off as one of the breakout stars of the convention.
Jamal Shead | PG | Houston: Houston, in its first season within the Big 12, will cross as Shead is going. Shead is the main returning scorer and help guy for a Cougars staff that has gained 65 video games the final two seasons and is primed and in a position to contend instantly in a brand new league.
Javon Small | PG | Oklahoma State: A knee damage final season lower brief what was once on the right track to be a sensational sophomore season for Small at East Carolina, the place he averaged 15.8 issues and 5.6 assists according to recreation. A recent get started at Oklahoma State quarterbacking the offense and facilitating for a thrilling solid of characters may thrust him into the All-Big 12 dialogue.
CBS Sports Big 12 Preseason Freshman of the Year
Ja’Kobe Walter | SG | Baylor
Scott Drew’s made a addiction out of touchdown blue-chip recruits and straight away changing them into helpful items. Walter must be subsequent in that lengthy Bears lineage. The 6-foot-5 capturing guard, who ranked No. 8 within the 247Sports ratings for the 2023 cycle, is the highest-rated incoming Big 12 recruit with an enormous alternative forward. With the staff’s peak 3 scorers not at the roster, he may waltz his method into turning into a day-one double-digit scorer on a top-three staff within the convention.
CBS Sports Big 12 predicted order of end
Most overrated staff in Big 12
Texas Tech: I believed having Texas Tech eleventh in my Big 12 poll was once top. Imagine my marvel once I noticed we as a bunch had them at No. 8!
There’s so much to love in regards to the course of this program anchored by way of the optimism that includes hiring a emerging younger famous person in trainer McCasland — which I believe is legitimate and warranted — however the meat and potatoes he inherited is not too appetizing. Aside from Isaacs, this staff is mainly hitting the reset button round a bunch of transfers and unknowns. That recipe has labored ahead of, of path, together with lately at Texas Tech, yet I’m skeptical on this yr’s Big 12 the skill McCasland has at the method might be sufficient. A double-digit end in league play turns out now not simplest imaginable, yet most probably.
Most underrated staff in Big 12
TCU: Here I’m speaking about fading uncertainty with transfers in a single breath and speaking about purchasing into transfers in some other in a staff situated in the similar state. Hypocrite, I inform ya!
I’m purchasing Dixon’s skill pool he is assembled, even though, and I believe TCU is flying beneath the radar. Anderson was once truly just right in his function at Oklahoma State. Nelson Jr. is a strolling bucket, a talent set that is just right at each and every stage and must translate. Then Miller and Chuck O’Bannon Jr. are established vets who must lend a hand set a baseline for development issues. There’s some possibility right here that the brand new items do not are compatible into position or that it remains to be a horrible 3-point capturing staff, yet I’m purchasing into the Horned Frogs. They’re 3rd on my preseason Big 12 poll in the back of KU and Houston, and it would not marvel if we are speaking about them because the second-best Big 12 staff within the state of Texas this season.
CBS Sports Big 12 expert picks