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Big 12 overview

With Williams at the helm, Jayhawks should rule again

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By Adam Thompson, Special to CNNSI.com

Roy Williams is back at Kansas to make another run at the Big 12 title. Jonathan Daniel/Allsport

Order of Finish 1. Kansas 2. Oklahoma 3. Texas 4. Missouri 5. Iowa State 6. Oklahoma State 7. Nebraska 8. Colorado 9. Texas A&M 10. Baylor 11. Texas Tech 12. Kansas State

Top storylines

After a down year to begin a youth movement, Kansas should return to its customary place in the nation's top 10, and Jayhawks fans will worship Roy Williams even more for his decision to spurn North Carolina.

Iowa State point guard Jamaal Tinsley could have been the best point guard in last year's draft, but instead chose to help the Cyclones defend their title, this time without league MVP Marcus Fizer.

And watch out for Nebraska as the Big 12's sleeper. The Huskers have imported a winner, Barry Collier, from Butler, and return the league's top two rebounders, Kimani Ffriend and Steffon Bradford, plus Cookie Belcher, the best defensive guard in this conference and most others.

How they will spend Selection Sunday
Relaxing	Sweating	Fishing
Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, Iowa State	Oklahoma State, Nebraska, Colorado	Texas A&M, Baylor, Texas Tech, Kansas State

Players to Watch

Top Three Frontcourt Players

Kimani Ffriend, Nebraska • The top center in Big 12, this slender Jamaican can score, rebound and block shots. Kareem Rush, Missouri • Broke Mizzou's freshman scoring record last year with 14.7 ppg. Nick Collison, Kansas • Nice combo of touch and muscle for a 6-9 forward.

Top Three Backcourt Players

Jamaal Tinsley, Iowa State • His name will grace many preseason All-America lists. Maurice Evans, Texas • Gunner could give 'Horns outside offensive presence they've lacked. Nolan Johnson, Oklahoma • How many guards post .627 field-goal percentages in league games?

Top Three Newcomers

Maurice Evans, Texas • Wichita State import has had Barnes licking his lips for a year. Nick Anderson, Texas A&M • After King, could become Aggies' second straight frosh of the year. Victor Williams, Oklahoma State • Another Mo Valley refugee, he became 1998-99 freshman of the year for Illinois State.

Coaches

Hot Coach

Larry Eustachy, Iowa State • Last year's AP coach of the year gets to show what he can do without inherited talent like Fizer.

Coach on the Hot Seat

James Dickey, Texas Tech • That 30-win season in 1995-96 in Lubbock feels more and more distant.

Schedules

Toughest Schedule

Texas • Arizona, Illinois, Utah and UConn all get to mess with Texas.

Quickest-Way-to-20-Wins Schedule

Iowa State • ISU skates into NCAAs by bravely facing the likes of Texas Southern, Tennessee Tech and Illinois-Chicago.

Mark Your Calendar

Jan. 27, Texas at Arizona • 'Horns interrupt league play to battle national contender on road. Jan. 29, Kansas at Missouri • The border war has its most bite in years with Tigers back in the hunt. Feb. 5, Iowa State at Kansas • Cyclones pulled off rare sweep of Jayhawks last year, and almost all of KU's players are back for vengeance. Mar. 3, Oklahoma State at Oklahoma • Regular season finale adds tension to Big 12's most entertaining rivalry.

Adam Thompson covers the Big 12 for the Denver Post and will write a CNNSI.com conference insider this season.

 

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