The idiom coined by Benjamin Franklin on the few certainties in life is admittedly an outdated one nevertheless it nonetheless bears repeating as a result of it has stood the check of time: Nothing may be stated to make sure besides dying, taxes, and Kansas demanding the respect and adoration of all us spreadsheet super-nerds who preach and mission school basketball. Lather, rinse, repeat, child. [taps index finger to ear] OH I am truly getting phrase from my producer that’s not the outdated Franklin quote.
OK, so maybe Mr. Franklin was on this specific occasion referring to solely dying and taxes as constants within the late 1700s, however you recognize what? It is 2023. It is time for an modification. We might as properly adapt the above into our up to date vernacular, as a result of the Invoice Self-led Kansas Jayhawks — as soon as once more — mission because the clear No. 1 staff in our preseason Huge 12 ballot taken by our group of consultants inside the CBS Sports activities household. And for good measure, too: KU’s No. 1 spot was unanimous amongst our panel this 12 months, led by Michigan import Hunter Dickinson, who takes the crown as our Preseason Huge 12 Participant of the 12 months.
After successful at the least a share of the Huge 12 common season in 17 seasons since taking on in 2003 (!), Self has a Kansas staff favored not simply to win the league’s championship, however to win the NCAA championship, based on up to date betting odds. That check inside the convention will not come simple or with out its traps, although, because of the brand new additions of Houston, Cincinnati, BYU and UCF, and the always-tough challengers of Baylor, Texas, Kansas State and others mendacity in wait.
So how will we see the league shaking out this 12 months? Sufficient with the teasing — let’s hop to it.
Missy Minear/Kansas Athletics
CBS Sports activities Huge 12 Preseason Participant of the 12 months
Hunter Dickinson | C | Kansas
Greatest participant on the very best staff. That is the clear and concise argument for why we’ve got Dickinson as our Preseason Participant of the 12 months choose within the Huge 12. The three-time All-Huge Ten performer averaged 17.2 factors and eight.4 rebounds in three seasons at Michigan and now heads to play at KU in a system that ought to function him much more. He is been a constant rebounder and environment friendly scorer all through his school profession, and his prolific stat-stuffing will do wonders for a Jayhawks staff in want of stability down low.
4 extra gamers to look at within the Huge 12
Tylor Perry | PG | Kansas State: The 2022-23 Convention USA Participant of the 12 months ought to match like a glove in Jerome Tang’s guard-friendly system, changing tiny-but-mighty celebrity Markquis Nowell in Manhattan, Kansas. Perry averaged 17.3 factors and a pair of.1 assists per sport final season for a North Texas staff that received 31 video games.
Dylan Disu | PF | Texas: Few gamers have been as impactful within the postseason final 12 months than Disu. He averaged 22.5 factors and 10 rebounds per sport in two NCAA Match appearances earlier than an damage sidelined him for the UConn sport. He ought to have the ability to choose up the place he left off as one of many breakout stars of the convention.
Jamal Shead | PG | Houston: Houston, in its first season within the Huge 12, will go as Shead goes. Shead is the main returning scorer and help man for a Cougars staff that has received 65 video games the final two seasons and is primed and able to contend instantly in a brand new league.
Javon Small | PG | Oklahoma State: A knee damage final season lower quick what was on observe to be a sensational sophomore season for Small at East Carolina, the place he averaged 15.8 factors and 5.6 assists per sport. A contemporary begin at Oklahoma State quarterbacking the offense and facilitating for an thrilling solid of characters may thrust him into the All-Huge 12 dialogue.
CBS Sports activities Huge 12 Preseason Freshman of the 12 months
Ja’Kobe Walter | SG | Baylor
Scott Drew’s made a behavior out of touchdown blue-chip recruits and instantly changing them into helpful items. Walter needs to be subsequent in that lengthy Bears lineage. The 6-foot-5 taking pictures guard, who ranked No. 8 within the 247Sports rankings for the 2023 cycle, is the highest-rated incoming Huge 12 recruit with an enormous alternative forward. With the staff’s prime three scorers not on the roster, he may waltz his manner into changing into a day-one double-digit scorer on a top-three staff within the convention.
CBS Sports activities Huge 12 predicted order of end
Most overrated staff in Huge 12
Texas Tech: I assumed having Texas Tech eleventh in my Huge 12 poll was excessive. Think about my shock after I noticed we as a gaggle had them at No. 8!
There’s loads to love in regards to the path of this program anchored by the optimism that comes with hiring a rising younger star in coach McCasland — which I feel is legitimate and warranted — however the meat and potatoes he inherited is not too appetizing. Apart from Isaacs, this staff is mainly hitting the reset button round a gaggle of transfers and unknowns. That recipe has labored earlier than, in fact, together with just lately at Texas Tech, however I am skeptical on this 12 months’s Huge 12 the expertise McCasland has on the best way might be sufficient. A double-digit end in league play appears not solely attainable, however probably.
Most underrated staff in Huge 12
TCU: Right here I’m speaking about fading uncertainty with transfers in a single breath and speaking about shopping for into transfers in one other in a staff situated in the identical state. Hypocrite, I inform ya!
I am shopping for Dixon’s expertise pool he is assembled, although, and I feel TCU is flying underneath the radar. Anderson was actually good in his function at Oklahoma State. Nelson Jr. is a strolling bucket, a talent set that is good at each stage and will translate. Then Miller and Chuck O’Bannon Jr. are established vets who ought to assist set a baseline for constructing issues. There’s some threat right here that the brand new items do not match into place or that it continues to be a horrible 3-point taking pictures staff, however I am shopping for into the Horned Frogs. They’re third on my preseason Huge 12 poll behind KU and Houston, and it would not shock if we’re speaking about them because the second-best Huge 12 staff within the state of Texas this season.