Dane Miller’s Preseason Big 12 Basketball Media Poll Vote: Key Insights and Predictions for the Upcoming Season

  By Dane Miller, SuperWest Sports

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It’s that time of the year.

Big 12 basketball starts next week, and with it comes new preseason expectations.

The Conference is debuting its media poll this season, and I have always been a proponent of transparency. The list below reflects my vote.

As a starting point, the Top 6 seem to be fairly set apart from the rest. There may be some differences of opinion in how they stack up, but it’s clear that those six schools are a step above the rest.

There is another grouping between No. 7 and No. 9. I’d describe those three programs as Bubble Teams. The rest of the schools from No. 10 through No. 16 are on the outside looking in.

Here’s how I ranked all 16 teams in the Big 12’s preseason media poll.

1. Houston

Milos Uzan and Emanuel Sharp lead a Houston team coming off an appearance in the National Championship Game.

The Cougars went 19-1 in the Big 12 regular season last year but must replace their leading scorer and several other key contributors.

Yet, Kelvin Sampson is the top coach in the Conference right now. I wouldn’t bet against Houston.

2. BYU

Expectations for BYU are high.

AJ Dybantsa might be the best freshman in the country, and Kevin Young added a key portal addition in Baylor’s Robert Wright III.

Combine the two newcomers with the return of Richie Saunders, and you can understand why the hype is real. A return to the Sweet 16 is the floor of expectations for this year.

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3. Texas Tech

JT Toppin is back for another season in Lubbock. The forward averaged 18.2 ppg last year with 9.4 rpg.

Grant McCasland’s team finished second in the league last year and made the Elite Eight.

But like many other teams in the Big 12, they must replace the production lost from key players. The freshman-to-sophomore jump of Christian Anderson will be critical in that respect.

4. Arizona

The Wildcats have several freshmen who will determine the trajectory of their season.

If Koa Peat, Brayden Burries, Dwayne Aristode, and Ivan Kharchenkov live up to their hype, then Arizona could make a run in the NCAA Tournament.

Tommy Lloyd will also lean heavily on upperclassmen Jaden Bradley, Tobe Awaka, and Motiejus Krivas.

5. Iowa State

Tamin Lipsey, Joshua Jefferson, and Milan Momcilovic are the three heavy hitters who return for Iowa State.

The Cyclones need to replace their leading scorer from last season, but have the pieces in place to do it.

Lipsey is one of the top guards in the country, and T.J. Otzelberger knows what he’s doing.

6. Kansas

The Jayhawks are led by true freshman Darryn Peterson. Ranked as the No. 1 prospect in his class by 247Sports, he is the face of Kansas basketball in 2025-26.

But KU lost nine conference games last year and must replace its top seven leading scorers.

That might not be a bad thing, but it does create plenty of questions in the preseason.

7. Kansas State

Jerome Tang hit the portal hard over the offseason. He brought in the No. 1 transfer class in the Big 12, per 247Sports, highlighted by Memphis transfer P.J. Haggerty.

The Wildcats should be good enough to make the NCAA Tournament this year.

Especially if the fan support provides a consistent home court advantage.

8. Baylor

The Bears are another Big 12 team hovering around the Bubble in the preseason.

With the No. 4 transfer class in the league, per 247Sports, Scott Drew should have a competitive group.

But Baylor lost several leaders from last year’s team and literally has an entirely new roster. The quicker they gel together, the better.

9. Cincinnati

Wes Miller should have a good team.

The Bearcats have the No. 3 transfer class in the Big 12, and expectations are high. The program hasn’t made the NCAA Tournament since 2019, when Mick Cronin was the coach.

This might finally be the year they break through.

10. TCU

Jamie Dixon is a respectable coach who deserves the benefit of the doubt. But the Horned Frogs only have the No. 12 transfer class in the Big 12 and the No. 11 recruiting class.

That indicates a talent gap that might be difficult to overcome.

Still, Dixon has led TCU to three Tournament appearances over the last four seasons.

11. Oklahoma State

Don’t sleep on Oklahoma State. Steve Lutz is building a program in Stillwater, and the results figure to show this season.

Recruiting is on the uptick, and Lutz has the No. 7 transfer class in the Conference.

It would not be unexpected to see Ok State take a noticeable jump in Year Two.

12. West Virginia

The Mountaineers are a bit of a wildcard. Darian DeVries left to coach Indiana, and Ross Hodge was hired from North Texas.

With an entirely new roster, it’s anyone’s guess where WVU ends up.

But Hodge’s Mean Green team made the semifinals of the NIT last year and he brought in the No. 6 transfer class in the Big 12.

13. UCF

Johnny Dawkins revamped his roster through the portal over the offseason.

His transfer class is rated ninth in the league, creating some expectations to be above the bottom of the barrel in the Conference.

UCF went 7-13 in Big 12 games last season and might fall around that same mark again this year.

14. Utah

The Utah boosters got their guy. Now we get to see if he performs.

Alex Jensen reeled in the No. 11 transfer class in the Conference, overperforming the likes of TCU, Arizona State, and Colorado.

The Utes have a reasonable home court advantage that they must maximize. But the program hasn’t made the NCAA Tournament since 2016, and it doesn’t appear to be in the cards this year.

15. Colorado

Tad Boyle utilized an interesting strategy in his roster construction.

Whether it was by choice or necessity, he brought in six freshmen as opposed to mining the transfer portal.

Three of the freshmen are rated as four-stars, per 247Sports, for what it’s worth. The lone splash in the portal was point guard Barrington Hargress, a UC Riverside transfer that averaged 20.2 ppg last year.

16. Arizona State

Bobby Hurley took an international and portal approach when building his roster for 2025-26.

Bringing in basically an entirely new team, there are many questions in Tempe at the onset of the season. First year international players are hit or miss and are rarely able to be significant contributors right away.

But if his experienced portal players hit the ground running, ASU might exceed its preseason expectations.

Miller covers College Basketball and College Football as well as Formula 1 racing as a Senior Writer and Assistant Editor for SuperWest Sports.

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What specific factors led Dane Miller to rank Texas Tech as a top-three team in the Big 12?

Decoding the Big 12 Landscape: Miller’s Perspective

Dane Miller,a respected voice in college basketball coverage,recently cast his vote in the Preseason Big 12 Basketball media Poll. His selections offer a compelling snapshot of the anticipated competitive dynamics within the conference for the 2025-26 season. This article dives deep into Miller’s choices, dissecting the rationale behind them and extrapolating key predictions for Big 12 basketball fans. we’ll analyze his top picks, potential dark horses, and the factors influencing his rankings, focusing on team strengths, coaching changes, and player development. Understanding these nuances is crucial for anyone following Big 12 basketball predictions and college basketball rankings.

Top 3 Teams: Miller’s Championship Contenders

Miller’s top three, as revealed in the media poll, paint a clear picture of the expected frontrunners.

1. Houston: Consistently a powerhouse, Houston earned the top spot in Miller’s assessment. Their strong returning core, coupled with a savvy coaching staff, positions them as the team to beat. Key to their success will be maintaining their defensive intensity – a hallmark of Kelvin Sampson’s program. Houston basketball is expected to contend for the national championship.
2. Kansas: Bill Self’s Jayhawks remain a perennial threat.despite roster turnover, Kansas’s tradition of excellence and Self’s coaching prowess ensure they’ll be in the mix. miller likely factored in their recruiting success and the potential impact of key newcomers. Kansas Jayhawks basketball is always a force.
3. Texas Tech: A surprising, yet justifiable, pick for the third spot. Texas Tech’s strong defensive identity and experienced guard play impressed miller. Their ability to consistently challenge top teams makes them a legitimate contender. Texas Tech basketball is poised for a breakout season.

These selections highlight a trend: experience and strong coaching are paramount in Miller’s view of the Big 12 Conference basketball landscape.

mid-Tier Teams: Potential Spoilers and NCAA Tournament Bubble Watch

beyond the top three, Miller’s rankings reveal several teams capable of making noise and potentially challenging for an NCAA Tournament berth.

* Baylor: A consistent program,Baylor’s success hinges on the development of their frontcourt. Miller likely sees their potential for improvement as a key factor.

* TCU: Jamie Dixon continues to build a competitive program in Fort Worth. Their defensive toughness and ability to win close games make them a dangerous opponent.

* Iowa State: A team with a strong identity, Iowa State’s success depends on consistent shooting and rebounding.

These teams represent the Big 12 basketball bubble – squads that could easily make or miss the NCAA Tournament depending on their performance in conference play. monitoring their progress throughout the season will be crucial for bracketologists.

The Bottom of the Poll: Rebuilding Programs and Upset Potential

The lower end of Miller’s poll features teams undergoing significant transitions or rebuilding efforts.

* Oklahoma State: Facing challenges with roster limitations, Oklahoma State will need to rely on young talent and develop a cohesive team identity.

* West Virginia: A new coaching era begins, and west Virginia will need time to adjust and establish a winning culture.

* Cincinnati: Adjusting to the Big 12’s physicality and pace will be a significant hurdle for Cincinnati.

* UCF: Similar to Cincinnati, UCF faces the challenge of adapting to a new conference and a higher level of competition.

* Kansas State: Jerome Tang faces a rebuilding year after significant roster changes.

* BYU: BYU’s performance will depend on their ability to integrate new players and maintain their offensive efficiency.

While these teams may not be championship contenders, they all possess the potential to pull off upsets and disrupt the established order.Big 12 basketball scores will undoubtedly feature some surprising results from these programs.

Key Players to Watch: Impact Freshmen and Returning Stars

Miller’s predictions implicitly highlight several key players who will shape the upcoming season.

* Jamal Shead (Houston): A veteran point guard and floor general, Shead is expected to lead Houston’s offense.

* Hunter Dickinson (Kansas): A dominant big man, Dickinson’s presence inside will be crucial for Kansas’s success.

* Pop Isaacs (Texas Tech): A dynamic scorer, Isaacs is poised to become a key offensive weapon for the Red Raiders.

* Ja’Kobe Walter (Baylor): A highly-touted freshman, Walter is expected to make an immediate impact for the bears.

Tracking the performance of these players will be essential for understanding the evolving dynamics of the Big 12 basketball standings.

Coaching Carousel Impact: New Leadership,New Strategies

The Big 12 experienced a significant coaching carousel during the offseason. Miller likely considered the impact of these changes when formulating his rankings.

* West Virginia (Josh Eilert): Replacing Bob Huggins is a monumental task. Eilert will need time to implement his system and establish a new culture.

* Cincinnati (Wes Miller):