The Big 12 has welcomed four new teams for the second consecutive year. Former Pac-12 members Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, and Utah have all joined the conference. Meanwhile, last season’s top two conference teams, Oklahoma (15-3) and Texas (14-4 and Big 12 Tournament champions), have moved to the SEC.
Four Big 12 teams, Iowa State (No. 8), Baylor (No. 12), Kansas State (No. 13), and West Virginia (No. 16), were ranked in the AP preseason top 25. Kansas State was picked as the early favorites to win the conference in the Big 12 coaches preseason poll.
Losing both Texas and Oklahoma in the same season is a rare occurrence for a conference. The absence of these dominant teams has opened up the opportunity for other experienced and youthful teams to compete for the Big 12 title. So, how do the teams compare?
Iowa State
Audi Crooks, in her sophomore year, is set to make a significant impact. Despite being ranked 57th among women’s basketball recruits in the class of 2023 by ESPN’s HoopGurlz, Crooks emerged as one of the most promising young players in the country in her freshman season. She broke the Iowa State record for most field goals made in a season and became the first freshman in school history to earn an AP All-American honorable mention. Crooks was the third-highest scoring freshman nationally, trailing only USC’s JuJu Watkins and Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo.
The Iowa State team has depth beyond Crooks, demonstrated by their performance against No. 9 ranked Stanford in last season’s NCAA Tournament. Addy Brown, entering her second season, posted impressive stats as a freshman with an average of 13 points, eight rebounds, and five assists.
While Iowa State is likely to make the NCAA Tournament, their ability to challenge for the Big 12 and national titles hinges on Crooks’ development as a sophomore, especially in playmaking beyond scoring.
Kansas State
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This season marks a potentially last opportunity for Kansas State’s current roster, as expectations are high. The team has been voted as conference favorites by Big 12 coaches for the first time in program history.
6-foot-6 super-senior Ayoka Lee was named Big 12 Preseason Player of the Year after averaging 20 points and eight rebounds last season. She led the conference in field goal percentage, win shares, and plus-minus. With Lee as the lone graduate student, Kansas State boasts five other seniors in their roster. Serena Sundell, leading the conference in assists per game last season, joins Lee on the Preseason All-Big 12 Team.
The experience and age of the Kansas State team bring both questions and answers. With minimal departures, it’s expected to see the Wildcats replicate their previous 12-5 conference record. However, the challenge lies in improving upon last year’s results with most of the roster consisting of upperclassmen.
Considering Kansas State as preseason favorites seems more like a nod to the departure of Texas and Oklahoma rather than a reflection of potential roster improvements. Compared to Iowa State’s dynamic underclassmen, Kansas State’s core may have already reached its peak. Older players typically see limited improvements without significant changes in usage. With a roster almost identical to last season’s, significant changes are unlikely.
Kansas State might have an easier path to a title if younger Big 12 teams underperform. Otherwise, the Wildcats will need to climb their way to the top in a competitive conference.
