Big 12 men's basketball 2022-23 preview: Can anyone dethrone NCAA champion Kansas?

Get to know the Big 12 men's basketball teams heading into the 2022-23 season:

More:Five things to know about OU men's basketball entering 2022-23 season

Baylor

What to watch: A No. 1 seed in last season’s NCAA Tournament, the Bears return arguably the best backcourt in the country. Adam Flagler (13.8 ppg., 2.2 rpg, 3.0 apg) is expected to move to point guard, creating more for incoming star freshman Keyonte George and LJ Cryer, who returns from a foot injury. Flo Thamba (6.2 ppg, 5.6 rpg) returns at center, while Baylor will also benefit with the addition of West Virginia transfer Jalen Bridges (8.4 ppg, 4.8 rpg), who could have a breakout year.

Bottom line: A chance at a national title run comes down to health for the Bears, who had just six healthy players in the rotation in March. Five-star redshirt freshman Langston Love will make his debut after missing last season with a torn ACL. Big man Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua will miss the start of the season.

More:Breaking down the 2022-23 OU men's basketball nonconference schedule

Iowa State

What to watch: The Cyclones were the surprise of the conference a year ago, starting hot with a dozen straight wins and finishing strong with a run to the Sweet 16. They did it behind a top-five defense nationally. To boost that, they added St. Bonaventure transfer Osun Osunniyi, a dynamic rim protector. Gabe Kalscheur (9.6 ppg) and Caleb Grill (6.4 ppg) are two of the Cyclones’ best shooters. Still, St. Bonaventure transfer Jaren Holmes and Temple transfer Jeremiah Williams were brought in to boost a sluggish offense.

Bottom line: Iowa State is no longer sneaking up on teams. Its defense is expected to be stout but its offense struggled a year ago and made minimal improvements. The defense will need to create offense for another shot at a deep postseason.

More:Why did OU's Tanner Groves put on extra muscle this offseason? 'He wants to win so bad'

Kansas

What to watch: The defending national champions are reloading under coach Bill Self, who is replacing six key players. Forward Jalen Wilson (11.1 ppg, 7.4 rpg) returns as the team’s most talented player and Big 12 Player of the Year candidate following a strong finish last season. Point guard Dajuan Harris Jr. (5.4 ppg, 4.2 apg) is more experienced and ready to lead a team with key newcomers like freshman Gradey Dick. Versatile senior Kevin McCullar Jr. (10.1 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 3.1 apg) also transferred from Texas Tech.

Bottom line: The Jayhawks lack the traditional center that dominates, but Self is a master at adjusting to his roster. Wilson’s development into the go-to guy will be key. But the Jayhawks should again be national title contenders.

More:With NCAA ban in past, Oklahoma State men's basketball 'hungry' to make big statement

Kansas State

What to watch: Longtime Baylor assistant Jerome Tang takes over a program undergoing a massive rebuild with only two returning players. Senior guard Markquis Nowell (12.4 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 5.0 apg) is expected to carry the load. The biggest addition is former Florida star Keyontae Johnson, who has not played in two years due to a heart condition. If he regains his form, he gives the Wildcast a versatile threat. Junior forward Nae’Qwan Tomlin is expected to be a big contributor after starring at Chipola (Florida) College.

Bottom line: The Wildcats’ new look will have massive growing pains, likely leading to a long season. But there are pieces Tang can build with for the future.

Oklahoma

What to watch: Porter Moser’s reconstruction of the Sooners’ roster continues with a new-look backcourt. Nevada transfer Grant Sherfield (19.1 ppg, 6.4 apg) will be relied on heavily to boost a lagging offense with scoring, passing and ball security. Joe Bamisile (16.3 ppg, 5.0 rpg) was added from George Washington. Sophomores Bijan Cortes and CJ Noland are expected to take a step forward. Senior forward Tanner Groves and his brother, Jacob, could be the biggest keys. Tanner struggled in his Big 12 transition but provides a huge stretch option. Senior Jalen Hill is expected to take the next step defensively.

Bottom line: The Sooners have the talent to make the NCAA Tournament but they need Sherfield to become a star capable of leading to more wins and Tanner Groves to become an inside force. Otherwise, a tough league becomes even more treacherous.

Oklahoma State

What to watch: After a tumultuous .500 season while dealing with a one-year postseason ban, the Cowboys are looking for a second NCAA Tournament berth in three seasons. Seven-foot-1 center and co-Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year Moussa Cisse (7.2 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 1.9 bpg) returns to anchor a dominant front court alongside Kalib Boone (1.3 bpg). Guards Avery Anderson III (12.1 ppg) and Bryce Thompson (10.6 ppg) will carry the load offensively. The addition of John Michael Wright (18.4 ppg, 3.4 apg) from High Point gives coach Mike Boynton a true point guard for his system.

Bottom line: OSU feels it has new life with the postseason back on the table. The Cowboys have valuable experience and key pieces of a dynamic defense back. But a tournament run will take improved shooting after finishing last season as one of the nation’s worst offensive teams.

Texas

What to watch: Year 1 under coach Chris Beard did not quite live up to the early hype, but the Longhorns still made it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Now, it’s about taking that next step with several returning leaders. Three starters return, including forward Timmy Allen (12.1 ppg, 6.4 rpg). Marcus Carr (11.4 ppg, 3.4 apg) is looking to rebound from a down year. The addition of Iowa State’s Tyrese Hunter benefits the defense. Dylan Disu is healthy for the first time since transferring and expected to be a key contributor. New Mexico State transfer Sir’Jabari Rice arrives to boost the backcourt.

Bottom line: The Longhorns are retooling their backcourt and looking for improved shooting from beyond the arc. If they get that and the stars live up to their potential, Texas could push for the conference title and more.

TCU

What to watch: The Horned Frogs return nearly every player from a team that made the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Superstar Mike Miles Jr. (15.4 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 3.8 apg) returns after testing his NBA chances and is a favorite to win the Big 12 Player of the Year. Damion Baugh (10.6 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 4.5 apg) also returns along with forward Emanuel Miller (10.3 ppg). Sophomore center Eddie Lampkin Jr., who is 6-11 and 263 pounds, is a monster rebounder.

Bottom line: Experience across the roster has raised thoughts of winning the league. But the Horned Frogs also went 8-10 in conference play a year ago with a nearly identical roster. To take a step forward, they need Miles to carry the way and the offense needs to shoot better from deep and cut down on turnovers.

Texas Tech

What to watch: Second-year coach Mark Adams is again looking for a quick rebuild, replacing nine of his top-10 scorers from a year ago, primarily through the transfer portal. Kevin Obanor (10.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg) is the lone returning starter and he expects to take a step forward offensively. Former Oregon and Oklahoma guard De’Vion Harmon (10.8 ppg) was a 36.7% 3-point shooter a year ago. Other key transfers include North Carolina’s Kerwin Walton, Texas’ Jaylon Tyson and Utah Valley’s Fardaws Aimaq.

Bottom line: With the roster nearly entirely new, Adams focused on improving the Red Raiders’ 3-point shooting while hoping to maintain their elite defense. But there are a lot of unproven players on the roster, which could lead to issues.

West Virginia

What to watch: Hall of Fame coach Bob Huggins rebuilt the roster after a last-place finish in the Big 12. And that makes the Mountaineers a bit of a mystery. UMass and Texas transfer forward Tre Mitchell (8.7 ppg, 4.0 rpg) is the biggest name to join the roster, giving Huggins some versatility. South Carolina transfer Erik Stevenson is on his fourth stop in five seasons. Emmitt Matthews Jr. returned after a year away at Washington and brings length and experience in Huggins’ system. Iowa transfer Joe Toussaint will be a key contributor.

Bottom line: On paper, this could be an NCAA Tournament team. It will likely be better than a year ago, but just how much? It all comes down to how well the new-look roster fits in Higgins’ longtime system. If not, it could be another long season.

2022-23 projected order of finish

Team#2021-22 record

1. Baylor#27-7

2. Kansas#34-6

3. TCU#21-13

4. Texas#22-12

5. Texas Tech#27-10

6. Oklahoma State#15-15

7. Iowa State#22-13

8. Oklahoma#19-16

9. West Virginia#16-17

10. Kansas State#14-17

Projected conference champion

Baylor

Don’t miss games

Baylor vs. Gonzaga

Dec. 2: A rematch of the 2021 national championship game, the two top-10 programs meet for the first time in the regular season since 2012. This matchup at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, features two teams that have won at least 81 games over the past three seasons.

Kansas at Kentucky

Jan. 28: For the second straight year, the national title contenders meet in the Big 12/SEC Challenge. A year ago, Kentucky routed Kansas 80-62 inside Allen Fieldhouse.

Texas at Texas Tech

Feb. 13: This was more like a WWE main event than a typical college basketball game last season. The vitriol for Chris Beard from Texas Tech fans remains strong.

Baylor at Kansas

Feb. 18: It’s the second meeting between the conference favorites and perhaps the most important. The winner is likely in a strong position to wrap up the Big 12 title.

Preseason projections

Player of the year: Mike Miles Jr., G, TCU

Rookie of the year: Keyonte George, G, Baylor

All-Conference teams

First team

Player, POS, Year, School#Ht., Wt.

Adam Flagler, G, R-Sr., Baylor#6-3, 185

Keyonte George, G, Fr., Baylor#6-4, 185

Mike Miles Jr., G, Jr., TCU#6-2, 195

Timmy Allen, F, Sr., Texas#6-6, 210

Jalen Wilson, F, R-Jr., Kansas#6-8, 225

Second team

Player, POS, Year, School#Ht., Wt.

Avery Anderson III, G., Sr., Oklahoma State#6-3, 158

Dajuan Harris Jr., G, R-Jr., Kansas#6-1, 175

Tyrese Hunter, G, So., Texas#6-0, 175

Kevin Obanor, F, S-Sr., Texas Tech#6-8, 235

Moussa Cisse, C, Jr., Oklahoma State#7-1, 216

Recruiting watch

Baylor: Scott Drew again put together a small dynamic class, this time building around five-star shooting guard Keyonte George from IMG Academy. As one of two signees, he’s the gem of the entire conference.

Kansas: Bill Self again brought in the Big 12’s top class with five-stars Gradey Dick and MJ Rice, and four-stars Zuby Ejiofor and Ernest Udeh Jr. Dick could be a starter right away while Ejiofor and Udeh could contribute inside.

Texas: The Longhorns might have been built on transfers a year ago, but Chris Beard landed a strong freshman class this season built around five-stars Dillon Mitchell from Montverde Academy and Arterio Morris from Kimball High in Dallas.

Texas Tech: Like his predecessor, Mark Adams has primarily thrived with the transfer portal. But a class with three four-star recruits — Elijah Fisher, Richard Isaacs and Lamar Washington — brings in needed depth for now and the future.

—Jacob Unruh, Staff writer

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Big 12 men's basketball 2022-23: Can Baylor, anyone dethrone Kansas?