Preseason Big 12 Hoops Rankings: OU, Texas, and the New Four

BYU

2022-23 Record: 19-15

The Daily Universe

Projected Big 12 Finish: 13th

Torvik Preseason Rank: #44

Following a lackluster final go-around in the West Coast Conference, the Cougs will have to step up their game tremendously to compete in the Big 12. Luckily for the program, several key staples from last season return to Provo in 2024.

Leading scorer and rebounder Fousseyni Traore should be the team’s main focal point inside, even with the addition of C-USA all conference center, Aly Khalifa, from Charlotte. Two other starters return from last year as well in wings Spencer Johnson and Jaxson Robinson–both of which should see an uptick in roles from last year.

The portal both gave and took for Mark Pope’s squad this summer. Sharpshooter Dawson Baker (15.3 PTS) will be seen as one the team’s go-to options this year on the wing after transferring from UC Irvine. Former Kansas and Gonzaga commit Marcus Adams Jr. just arrived on campus within the last few weeks, a former heralded 4-star forward that should add much needed depth for BYU–a roster spot that opened up in August after projected starting PG Quez Glover (now K-State guard) left the program due to an apparent NIL shortfall. Reserve Trey Stewart will likely be called on to fill the 1-spot after seeing the floor only 10 minutes per game last season.

The first year in the Big 12 may be a rough one for BYU, but a top 5 home environment in the Marriott Center may enable this team to upend several of the conference’s top programs.

Starters:

PG - Trey Stewart (1.5 PTS, 10 MIN)

G - Spencer Johnson (11.1 PTS,46% 3PT)

G - Dawson Baker (15.3 PTS, 37% 3PT | UC Irvine)

G - Jaxson Robinson (8.5 PTS, 34% 3PT)

PF - Fousseyni Traore (12.9 PTS, 7.8 REB)

Bench:

C - Aly Khalifa (11.7 PTS | Charlotte)

G - Dallin Hall (7.3 PTS)

F - Marcus Adams Jr. (#51 recruit)

G - Richie Saunders (5.5 PTS)

PF - Noah Waterman (4.6 PTS)

Cincinnati

2022-23 Record: 23-13

Cincinnati Athletics

Projected Big 12 Finish: 10th

Torvik Preseason Rank: #52

Wes Miller has built this roster around a plethora of old and newcomers in the Bearcats’ frontcourt. As crazy as this might sound, Cincy’s leading returning scorer and rebounder, Viktor Lakhin, who played a large role in their 2023 NIT run, may not be a sure-fire starter in 2024.

Arguably no team in the Big 12 benefited from the transfer portal this offseason more than Cincinnati. Aziz Bandaogo, an all-conference performer from Utah Valley, looks to be the team’s starting big after ironically knocking out the Bearcats in last year’s NIT – posting an impressive 15 points, 12 boards, and 4 blocks in the tournament quarterfinals. Butler transfer Simas Lukosius might be this team’s best player from a talent perspective, averaging 11.6 points in a loaded Big East last season. Other transfers Day Day Thomas, CJ Frederick, and Jamille Reynolds will all play starting/sixth man roles for this team as well.

Similar to BYU, year 1 of Big 12 play may prove to be a challenge for this program. However, Wes Miller is one of the best young coaches in the country, and based on his success at both UNC Greensboro and so far at Cincy, the Bearcats should return to formidable form in the coming years.

Starters:

PG - Day Day Thomas (11.3 PTS, 39% 3PT | Kilgore JC)

G - CJ Fredrick (6.1 PTS | Kentucky)

G - Simas Lukosius (11.6 PTS, 4.0 REB, 38% 3PT | Butler)

PF- Viktor Lakhin (11.6 PTS, 7.1 REB)

C- Aziz Bandaogo (11.5 PTS, 10.4 REB, 2.9 BLK | Utah Valley)

Bench:

C - Jamille Reynolds (10.4 PTS, 5.4 REB | Temple)

CG - Jizzle James (#61 recruit)

G - Rayvon Griffith (#64 recruit)

G - Dan Skillings (5.3 PTS)

C - Ody Oguama (5.5 PTS)

SF - John Newman III (6.9 PTS in 2022, missed ‘23 to injury)

Houston

2022-23 Record: 31-3

Houston Athletics

Projected Big 12 Finish: 2nd

Torvik Preseason Rank: #7

A program once decorated with generational talent of the likes of Akeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler, Houston was left for dead prior to the arrival of Kelvin Sampson. Since then, the Cougs dominated the American Conference for the better half of the last decade and have since been promoted to the power conference ranks on the heels of the men’s hoops team’s success.

After bowing out in last year’s NCAA tournament in the second weekend, Houston has the talent to make a run in March once again. Led by Baylor transfer guard LJ Cryer and starting guard Jamal Shead, Houston has one of the best backcourts in the nation. J’Wan Roberts will anchor the inside, while Temple transfer Damian Dunn will be a go-to option on the wing.

The main concern for this team surrounds existing experience off the bench. However, anything less than a top 3 finish in the conference in 2024 will be viewed as a disappointment in Space City.

Starters:

CG - LJ Cryer (15 PTS, 42% 3PT | Baylor)

CG - Jamal Shead (10.5 PTS, 5.4 AST)

SF - Terrence Arceneaux (3.7 PTS)

SF - Damian Dunn (15.3 PTS, 35% 3PT | Temple)

C - J’Wan Roberts (10 PTS, 7.7 REB)

Bench:

G - Emanuel Sharp (5.9 PTS)

F - Ja’Vier Francis (4.3 PTS)

G - Mylik Wilson (Redshirted in 2023)

G - Ramon Walker (2.9 PTS)

C - Cedric Lath (Redshirted in 2023)

F - Joseph Tugler (#69 recruit)

C - Jacob McFarland (#109 recruit)

G - Kordelius Johnson (#154 recruit)

Oklahoma

2022-23 Record: 15-17

Oklahoma Athletics

Projected Big 12 Finish: 11th

Torvik Preseason Rank: #68

There may be no seat hotter in the Big 12 than Porter Moser’s headed into this year. After leading OU to its first losing season since 2017, the Sooners have dove head first into the portal this offseason to upgrade a subpar roster from 2023.

Projected starters Javian McCollum (Siena), Le’Tre Darthard (Utah Valley), Rivaldo Soares (Oregon), and John Hugley IV (Pitt) are all new additions in Norman this year. Maks Klanjscek (Houston Christian) and Jalon Moore (Georgia Tech) are also expected to fill large roles this year – meaning that six of the team’s likely top nine contributors are new to Moser’s system.

The biggest struggle for Oklahoma last year revolved around a lack of offensive firepower and 3pt shooting. Returning sophomore guard Milos Uzan (41% 3pt) will be a vital piece to improve the overall outlook of this team’s season on the wing, while three other 35%+ shooters from deep join the team in McCollum, Darthard, and Klanjscek. With that being said, this roster on paper doesn’t appear to be one that can light up the scoreboard in similar ways as say Kansas, Houston, or Baylor – however this could be a gritty bunch.

Moser is in need of reaching the NCAA Tournament this year or else a return back to the mid-major ranks may be evident.

Starters:

PG - Javian McCollum (15.9 PTS, 3.9 AST, 36% 3pt | Siena)

G - Milos Uzan (7.6 PTS, 3 AST, 41% 3pt)

G - Le’Tre Darthard (13.8 PTS, 3.5 REB, 36% 3pt | Utah Valley)

SF - Rivaldo Soares (7.2 PTS, 3.6 REB | Oregon)

C - John Hugley IV (8 PTS, 3.6 REB | Pitt)

Bench:

Otega Oweh (4.8 PTS)

Maks Klanjscek (15 PTS, 35% 3pt | Houston Christian)

Sam Godwin (4.9 PTS)

Jalon Moore (7.6 PTS, 4.7 REB | Georgia Tech)

Kaden Cooper (#65 recruit)

Luke Northweather (RS in 2023) Yaya Keita (2 GP in 2023)

Jacob Cole (#175 recruit)

Texas

2022-23 Record: 29-9

Texas Athletics

Projected Big 12 Finish: 4th

Torvik Preseason Rank: #16

March’s darling from the 2021 NCAA tournament has found a new home in Austin. Max Abmas, the best player on this team from a sheer talent perspective, could find himself as a potential All-American when we congregate once again in March, after averaging more than 20 PTS for a third straight year last season at Oral Roberts.

Tyrese Hunter proved to be one of Texas’ best guards in 2023 after transferring from Iowa State, establishing a respectable outside shot and ability to facilitate alongside Marcus Carr. Transfer Ithiel Horton will likely fill the 3-spot, after joining the team over the summer from multiple stops, including Pitt and new Big 12 foe UCF. Dillon Mitchell and Dylan Disu will anchor the inside this season, with both players looking to fill bigger roles. Mitchell was slated by many as a lottery pick entering last season, with 2024 seen largely as a bounce back year.

The biggest concern for this team will be the depth of its bench. Kadin Shedrick, Chendall Weaver, and Ze’Rik Onyema will all be key pieces for the Longhorns in their first year from the portal.

Anything less than a top-5 finish in the Big 12 this season should be seen as a disappointment The impact of Max Abmas will ultimately determine how successful this team can be.

Starters:

PG - Max Abmas (21.9 PTS, 4.0 AST, 37% 3pt | Oral Roberts)

CG - Tyrese Hunter (10.3 PTS, 3.0 REB, 34% 3pt)

G - Ithiel Horton (12.3 PTS, 3.7 REB, 35% 3pt | UCF)

F - Dillon Mitchell (4.3 PTS, 3.9 REB)

PF - Dylan Disu (8.8 PTS, 4.4 REB)

Bench:

C - Kadin Shedrick (6.2 PTS, 3.8 REB | Virginia)

PF - Brock Cunningham (4.6 PTS)

G - Chendall Weaver (9.5 PTS, 40% 3pt | UT-Arlington)

PF - Ze’Rik Onyema (7.1 PTS | UTEP)

G - Chris Johnson (#78 recruit)

SF - Alex Anamekwe (1.5 PTS)

SF - Devon Pryer (#215 recruit)

UCF

2022-23 Record: 19-15

Black & Gold Banneret

Projected Big 12 Finish: 14th

Torvik Preseason Rank: #99

Long gone are the days of Tacko Fall and NCAA tournament runs for UCF. The Knights have struggled in the American Athletic Conference for the better part of the past decade, a relatively average hoops conference. Their new home in the Big 12 could very well be an eye opener for Johnny Dawkins and his crew.

Similarly to the majority of power conference teams in this era of college hoops, UCF dove head first into the transfer portal to field this year’s roster, with three newcomers expected to be in the starting five. Shemarri Allen (UMKC) and Jaylen Sellers (Ball State) both flourished last season at the mid-major ranks, but will need to adjust to Big 12 basketball for this team to have any chance to compete in year one.

Former top 100 recruit CJ Walker returns for his fifth collegiate season after playing only five games in 2023 due to injury. He’ll be joined in the frontcourt by San Jose State transfer Ibrahima Diallo (6 PTS, 6 REB), a solid contributor last year for a team that was on the NCAA tournament bubble for the majority of last season.

Although still projected as a top 100 team nationally, Central Florida is quite clearly at the bottom of the Big 12 entering 2024. Expectations should not be high in Orlando.

Starters:

PG - Darius Johnson (10 PTS, 4.2 AST)

G - Shemarri Allen (17 PTS, 5 REB | Kansas City)

G - Jaylen Sellers (13.5 PTS, 3.7 REB, 45% 3pt | Ball St.)

PF - CJ Walker (5 PTS, 3.5 REB, 5 GP)

C - Ibrahima Diallo (6 PTS, 6 REB | San Jose St.)

Bench:

G - DeMarr Langford Jr. (7 PTS, 2.8 REB | Boston College)

PF - Marchelus Avery (8.2 PTS, 42% 3pt | NMSU)

SF - Mintautas Mockus (NR recruit)

SF - Antwann Jones (3.9 PTS in 2022 at Louisiana)

C - Omar Payne (4.8 PTS | Jacksonville)

G - Tyler Hendricks (RS in ‘23)

C - Thierno Sylla (2.2 PTS)

SF - Comeh Emuobor (#197 recruit)