Peter G. Aiken-USA Today Sports
It’s the off-season in college basketball, but another year of the hardwood will be here before we know it.
With that being said, it’s another opportunity for the entire Big 12 Conference to assert their authority and dethrone the Kansas Jayhawks from the conference supremacy that they have now carried over for nine consecutive seasons. That’s right, the Jayhawks have won at least a share of the Big 12 title for nine straight years and with Andrew Wiggins, the nation’s top recruit coming to Lawrence for next season, the opportunity to claim championship No. 10 is at the forefront.
However, the Oklahoma State Cowboys may have some different plans of their own, as a trio of returnees will undoubtedly make this squad, not just one of the top dogs in the conference, but potentially in the nation. At this point, there’s no reason to think that Oklahoma State can’t be a dark horse to make a run to the Final Four. The key in all of this is the return of star point guard Marcus Smart, who turned down a shot at potentially being a top five selection in last month’s NBA Draft for another season in Stillwater. In addition to Smart, head coach Travis Ford is also welcoming back athletic senior play maker Markel Brown and junior forward LeBryan Nash.
That trio of Smart, Brown and Nash is a dangerous one and one that is certainly capable of dethroning the Jayhawks’ run of Big 12 championships. The only issue or skepticism if you will, is the fact that this conversation has been ongoing year in and year out. Kansas just simply continues to prove the doubters wrong. Credit that to head coach, Bill Self.
Only time will tell if a new dog will finally knock the Jayhawks off their perch, but Oklahoma State has the talent level to do so, there’s no doubt about that.
Follow Paul Seaver on Twitter: @PaulSeaverRS
