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The Big 12 is coming off one of its more exciting overall seasons in its still fresh 16-team era.
Eight teams made the NCAA Tournament last March, with Arizona advancing to the Final Four for the first time in 25 years. The league also sent 13 players to the NBA Draft, including the first two picks in AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson.
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What can the conference do for an encore? Let’s get to it.
1. Arizona Wildcats
2025–26 Record: 36–3 (16–2)
2025–26 Conference Finish: 1st
The returns of Motiejus Krivas and Ivan Kharchenkov are the big story here, but Tommy Lloyd’s vaunted frontcourt took a huge hit with the losses of Koa Peat and Tobe Awaka. Replacing star freshman Brayden Burries and Big 12 Player of the Year Jaden Bradley are no small tasks either. Thankfully, Lloyd is bringing in two of the most notable newcomers in the conference in North Carolina transfer Derek Dixon and five-star freshman Caleb Holt.
Holt is the particularly exciting piece. He’s a top-three national recruit with the size and defensive tools to immediately become one of the league’s most impactful freshmen. Peat made a national splash right off the bat last season. Don’t be surprised if Holt does the same.
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If Clemson transfer forward RJ Godfrey ultimately receives eligibility, Arizona’s frontcourt will get another major boost.
2. Houston Cougars
2025–26 Record: 30–7 (14–4)
2025–26 Conference Finish: 2nd
Until Kelvin Sampson gives us a reason to doubt his ability to reload and continue to produce squads that finish in the top two of this conference, we should all probably just assume it’s going to continue to happen.
Joseph Tugler is back after establishing himself as one of the Big 12’s best defensive players, while Mercy Miller and Chase McCarty return as experienced rotation pieces poised to take a step up in production. LSU transfer Dedan Thomas Jr. gives Houston another creator capable of taking on a larger offensive role.
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Houston has made seven consecutive…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/big-12-men-basketball-preseason-120000216.html
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Publish date : 2026-10-14 12:00:00
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