This article is part of our Conference Preview series.
Big 12 basketball can't be brought up in conversation these days without starting with the Kansas Jayhawks, as the 2014-15 season marked the 11th straight year in which the Jayhawks earned at least a share of the conference title. As good as programs like Duke, Michigan State, and Kentucky have been, none have been as consistent and successful within their league as Kansas over the last decade. Year after year the pundits discuss who might dethrone the Jayhawks from the top of mountain, and year after year Bill Self builds another winner. Kansas will, without a doubt, be one of the top three teams again this year, but there are multiple programs knocking on the door.
Iowa State has been the biggest threat each of the last two years, but the beloved Fred Hoiberg left for the NBA this past offseason to coach the Chicago Bulls. They return a ton of talent, including All-American Georges Niang, who chose to return for his senior year in hopes of winning a National Title. Oklahoma owns a high-powered offense that will allow them to score with anyone, but the big question mark is whether or not they can defend at the same level. Texas brought in Shaka Smart this offseason in hopes of restoring a Longhorns program that continues to underachieve. The 'Havoc' defense will certainly make them competitive, but whether or not it will lead to enough scoring on the offensive end remains to be seen. Baylor has a ton of talent,
Big 12 basketball can't be brought up in conversation these days without starting with the Kansas Jayhawks, as the 2014-15 season marked the 11th straight year in which the Jayhawks earned at least a share of the conference title. As good as programs like Duke, Michigan State, and Kentucky have been, none have been as consistent and successful within their league as Kansas over the last decade. Year after year the pundits discuss who might dethrone the Jayhawks from the top of mountain, and year after year Bill Self builds another winner. Kansas will, without a doubt, be one of the top three teams again this year, but there are multiple programs knocking on the door.
Iowa State has been the biggest threat each of the last two years, but the beloved Fred Hoiberg left for the NBA this past offseason to coach the Chicago Bulls. They return a ton of talent, including All-American Georges Niang, who chose to return for his senior year in hopes of winning a National Title. Oklahoma owns a high-powered offense that will allow them to score with anyone, but the big question mark is whether or not they can defend at the same level. Texas brought in Shaka Smart this offseason in hopes of restoring a Longhorns program that continues to underachieve. The 'Havoc' defense will certainly make them competitive, but whether or not it will lead to enough scoring on the offensive end remains to be seen. Baylor has a ton of talent, including the league's leading rebounder from a year ago, Rico Gathers.
The Big 12 is one of the deepest leagues in the country from top to bottom, and it should be a dogfight until the end. While it's impossible to predict exactly what's going to happen, one thing is almost certain: Kansas is still King. That being said, here are some of the impact fantasy players within the league.
Top Three
Buddy Hield, Guard, Oklahoma Sooners
Hield returns for his senior season after leading the Big 12 in scoring last year at 17.4 points per game. He's one of the most dangerous scorers in the entire nation and will lead a fast-paced offensive attack that can compete with anyone. Hield can fill it up from long range, averaging 2.7 3-pointers made in each of the last two seasons, and his biggest improvement last year was his ability to rebound. At 6-foot-4, Hield averaged 5.4 rebounds per game from the shooting guard position, and that number will likely go up this season. He has all the tools necessary to play at the next level, and a 19.1 PPG, 6.2 RPG and 2.3 assists per game line could be very realistic.
Georges Niang, Forward, Iowa State Cyclones
This is a guy that I absolutely love and he's everything one could possibly want in a fantasy team's go-to player. Niang can score, rebound and pass it, and he's an excellent defender. Fundamentally, he's as solid as they come, and he possesses an unselfish attitude with a basketball IQ that's said to be off the charts. Ok, enough with the rant, time for the numbers. Niang averaged 15.3 PPG, 5.4 RPG and 3.4 APG a year ago, while shooting 40 percent from three-point land and 81 percent from the foul stripe. He'll be the primary option in a Cyclones offense that led the Big 12 in scoring a year ago, at 78.4 PPG. Niang has one of the best point guards in the country, Monte Morris, getting him the ball, and he should be a solid bet for 17 PPG, 6 RPG and 3 APG this year.
Frank Mason, Guard, Kansas Jayhawks
Mason emerged as a sophomore last season to lead the Jayhawks to another conference title behind 12.6 PPG, 3.9 RPG and 3.9 APG. He also averaged 1.4 steals per game and shot 42 percent from beyond the arc. Mason will be running the show for the Kansas offense and should have a good chance to lead them in scoring. He's a do-it-all type of player who should provide solid fantasy numbers across the board, as he looks to move into the upper echelon of point guards across the country.
Top Freshman
Cheick Diallo, Forward, Kansas Jayhawks
At 6-8, 218 lbs., Diallo is a long, athletic forward that can get up and down the floor with the best of them. He's an elite shot blocker that can change a game on the defensive end, which helps lead to fast break opportunities on offense. Diallo was No. 7 on the ESPN Top-100 for the class of 2015, and he should see big minutes right from the get-go. Coach Bill Self is great at developing young talent, and by mid-to-late season, Diallo should provide great fantasy production across the board.
Top Newcomer
Shaka Smart, Coach, Texas Longhorns
Smart went 163-56 across six years at Virginia Commonwealth, which included a final four appearance, and he finally decided to take the next step in his coaching career by accepting the job at Texas. While Smart won't be the one providing fantasy points on the court, his style of coaching and his basketball philosophy can certainly influence the production of those on his roster. Isaiah Taylor could be the main beneficiary when Smart implements his 'Havoc' defense, which causes fits for opposing teams. Taylor missed nine games during the beginning of last season with a wrist injury, but returned to help the Longhorns punch a ticket to the big dance. He finished with 13.1 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 4.6 APG and 1.0 SPG. Taylor is, without a doubt, the best player on the Texas roster, and he should benefit from the new defensive style that thrives on creating turnovers that lead to fast-break offense. He should see a bump in the steals category and an average of 15.0 PPG and 6.0 APG is within the realm of possibility.
Top Sleepers
Devin Williams, Forward, West Virginia Mountaineers
Williams made a major impact during his sophomore season, averaging 11.6 PPG and 8.1 RPG. He averaged 24.9 MPG, but that number is sure to go up as he enters his junior year. Williams is a 6-9 forward that can run the floor, which makes him a perfect fit for Bob Huggins' pressure defense, as it leads to endless fast breaks. He has a shot at averaging a double-double this year, and he'll have a handful of games with very high rebound totals.
Monte Morris, Point Guard, Iowa State Cyclones
This might not be much of a sleeper, as Morris is already a well-established player in the Big 12, but he had to be included somewhere. Morris led the country in Assist/Turnover ratio last year, by a long shot, at 4.63 assists to every turnover. The second place finisher had a ratio of 3.66. Morris now enters his junior year after averaging 11.9 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 5.2 APG and 1.9 SPG as a sophomore, and he's primed for a huge season. The Cyclones offense should get up and down the floor at a rapid pace, and they'll likely lead the Big 12 in scoring for the second straight year.
Chris Washburn, Forward, TCU Horned Frogs
Although the Horned Frogs only won four games within the Big 12 last year, one of their brighter spots was the play of sophomore Chris Washburn. At 6-8, Washburn showed signs of brilliance during different parts of last year, and he finished with averages of 7.1 PPG and 5.8 RPG while shooting 48 percent from the field. Washburn also averaged 1.4 BPG and 1.4 SPG, which provides telling insight to the effort he gives on the defensive end of the floor. The junior forward will own a much bigger role during the upcoming season and should see a boost in both minutes and field goal attempts along the way. Washburn could average close to a double-double this year, which means a ton of value for a guy whose DFS price tag will begin at a reasonable number.
