Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
The Kansas Jayhawks are getting a lot of hype for the 2013-14 college basketball season, but the Oklahoma State Cowboys should be the team to beat in the Big 12.
Yes, Kansas pretty much wins the conference on a yearly basis and Andrew Wiggins joining the team is huge, but the Jayhawks will be a completely different team in the upcoming season–they are losing all of their starters. They have not done anything yet, whereas Oklahoma State had a great season last year and will likely be even better in the upcoming season.
Related: Kansas Jayhawks Have Similar Situation To Last Year’s Kentucky Wildcats Team
Kansas could very easily be one of the best teams in college hoops next season, but until they prove that, they should not be the favorites in the Big 12 entering the season.
The Cowboys have Marcus Smart, who could have easily went in the top 10 in this year’s NBA draft. Not to mention, two other players that averaged 14 or more points per game last season will be back, in Markel Brown and Le’Bryan Nash. Those three will be very hard to stop no matter who they play. They did combine for 44.7 points per game last season.
Oklahoma State finished last season with a 24-9 record. They also finished one game back in the Big 12 standings.
Kansas clearly has some very talented players coming in, but that talent still has to perform on the court.
Last year, the Florida Gators brought back a bunch of great players, but were still picked to finish behind Kentucky in the SEC standings. We all know how that ended.
This is just a really good Oklahoma State team and it could easily be one of the best teams in college basketball next season, let alone the Big 12. However, if Kansas does do what everyone says it will do, the Cowboys will still have the talent to win the conference.
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