by Athlon Sports, Special to FOXSports.com

1. Texas

A team that tied national champion Kansas for the Big 12 regular-season title — and beat the Jayhawks head-to-head — returns four of five starters and nine of its top 10 scorers as well as 90 percent of its rebounding from last season and 80 percent of the minutes played. If the Longhorns get solid point guard play, they have a chance to make a run to the Final Four. But it's a huge "if" when talking about replacing D.J. Augustin, who always took over late in games and beat Memphis' Derrick Rose for the Bob Cousy Award as the nation's top point guard last season. Still, expect coach Rick Barnes' team to compete with Oklahoma, Baylor and Kansas for the Big 12 title this season.

2. Oklahoma

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The Sooners improved by seven wins in coach Jeff Capel's second season, going 23-12, finishing tied for fourth in the Big 12 and advancing to the semifinals of the conference tournament. Then they won a game in the NCAA tournament, stamping the season as a success. With power forward Blake Griffin turning down NBA millions to return for his sophomore season and freshman scoring guard Willie Warren arriving, expectations are soaring in Norman. If the chemistry is right, OU should challenge for Big 12 supremacy and charge deep in the NCAA tournament.

3. Baylor

With one of the most experienced teams in the Big 12, the Bears will be disappointed if they don't advance deeper into the NCAA tournament after last year's first-round loss to Purdue. They know they can explode offensively, but they'll need to become a better defensive team to pull out more close games. Last year, they ranked last in the Big 12 by allowing 74.9 points per game. That has to improve if coach Scott Drew's club is going to contend for a conference title this season.

4. Kansas

Other than guard Sherron Collins and center Cole Aldrich, every player who saw significant action during the Jayhawks' championship season either graduated — Kansas lost five seniors — or turned pro. Still, with junior college All-American Mario Little headlining a cast of seven newcomers, coach Bill Self is confident his squad will be in the hunt for the Big 12 title — and maybe more — come March. "This will be a good team," Self says. "We may not be a great team early, but I'll be very disappointed if we're not a great team late."

5. Texas A&M

The Aggies are a wild card in this season's Big 12 race. They've got a solid nucleus to build around in Josh Carter, Bryan Davis and Donald Sloan, but the success of this year's squad will be determined in large part by the ability of the underclassmen to step up. If coach Mark Turgeon is able to get the most out of newcomers David Loubeau and Dashan Harris, along with quality minutes from his sophomores, A&M should be in position to punch its fourth straight ticket to the NCAA tournament.

6. Oklahoma State

For the first time since 1990, Oklahoma State basketball will not be coached by a Sutton. And with Travis Ford at the helm, it will be more than just a change of name in Stillwater. Ford, who led UMass to the finals of the NIT last season, employs an up-tempo style that stands in stark contrast to the defensive-minded Eddie Sutton and his son Sean. Oklahoma State fans have grown a bit tired of the NIT, but this team will have a tough time winning enough games to earn a trip back to the NCAA tournament.

7. Missouri

It's difficult to know what to expect from a team so short on experience. If the freshmen come along quickly and junior college transfer Keith Ramsey is as good as advertised, Missouri might be able to climb into the top four in the rebuilding Big 12 and challenge for an NCAA tournament berth. Or they could all need a year or two of seasoning before they're ready to contribute and the Tigers will continue languishing in the bottom half of the league standings.

8. Texas Tech

After serving eight years as an assistant coach under his legendary — three-time NCAA champion, Olympic gold medalist and Naismith Hall of Fame member — father Bob Knight, Pat Knight was named head coach of the Red Raiders for the final 10 games last year after the elder Knight abruptly stepped down in early February. Now Pat will try to succeed where others in his position — Oklahoma State's Sean Sutton, for example — have failed.

9. Nebraska

Fans of the perimeter game should enjoy watching Nebraska play in 2008-09. If, however, the absence of a proven big man makes them nervous, well, they'd better get prepared for raw fingernails. It's possible that when Doc Sadler begins his third camp in Lincoln he'll have only one frontline player with any experience. And that guy, 6-8 junior power forward Chris Balham, averaged only 2.5 points while managing to play just under eight minutes per game because of chronic knee problems.

10. Kansas State

A postseason appearance isn't out of the question, but a return trip to the NCAA tournament isn't likely. A visit to the NIT would make the season a success. Forward Darren Kent will be the only senior on scholarship for K-State, which went to the NCAA tournament last season for the first time in 12 years. The Wildcats advanced mostly because of the immense skills Michael Beasley and Bill Walker possessed, but the dynamic duo is off to the NBA, leaving K-State and coach Frank Martin to try to build on glory not seen in years.

11. Iowa State

Change. It's been a recurring theme — and to some, a problem — for Iowa State's basketball team under third-year coach Greg McDermott. "We're starting Year 3, yet we only have one player who has been with us all three years," McDermott says. ISU's challenge in climbing back up the Big 12 standings got even tougher with top returning player and team captain Wesley Johnson's shocking decision to transfer.

12. Colorado

Coach Jeff Bzdelik claimed upon his hiring that he could not wave a magic wand and fix things. Colorado proved him right in his first season, going 12-20 and finishing last in the Big 12. To win now, leadership must emerge early, Wake Forest transfer Casey Crawford and CU sophomore Cory Higgins need to post big numbers, and the freshmen must make rapid adjustments. The schedule is more reasonable, and the Big 12 won't be the monster it was a year ago. Still, this program needs time. Patience is a must.

Conference Superlatives

Player of the Year: Blake Griffin, Oklahoma
Best Defensive Player: Justin Mason, Texas
Most Underrated Player: Bryan Davis, Texas A&M
Newcomer of the Year: Mario Little, Kansas

All-Big 12 First Team

A.J. Abrams, Sr., G, Texas
Sherron Collins, Jr., G, Kansas
Blake Griffin, So., F, Oklahoma
Damion James, Jr., F, Texas
Curtis Jerrells, Sr., G, Baylor

All-Big 12 Second Team

Cole Aldrich, So., C, Kansas
DeMarre Carroll, Sr., F, Missouri
Josh Carter, Sr., G, Texas A&M
Byron Eaton, Sr., G, Oklahoma State
Kevin Rogers, Sr., F, Baylor

All-Big 12 Third Team

James Anderson, So., G, Oklahoma State
LaceDarius Dunn, So., G, Baylor
Mario Little, Jr., F, Kansas
Leo Lyons, Sr., F, Missouri
Willie Warren, Fr., G, Oklahoma

Recruiting Roundup

1. Kansas — The Morris twins and junior college stud Mario Little will keep KU   rolling.
2. Oklahoma — Jeff Capel adds another elite prospect in Willie Warren.
3. Baylor — Anthony Jones is 6-10 with above-average 3-point range.
4. Missouri — Kim English used his postgrad year to become a big-time recruit.
5. Texas — Combo guard J'Covan Brown is an electric scorer.
6. Texas A&M — David Loubeau rebounds well and is comfortable offensively.
7. Colorado — The Buffaloes have a deep class with multiple potential starters.
8. Iowa State — In a class lacking in point guards, Dominique Buckley can play.
9. Texas Tech — Corbin Ray is an excellent shooter with a good face-up game.
10. Kansas State — JC transfer Abdul Herrera has battled injuries but looks healthy now.
11. Oklahoma State — Keiton Page averaged 44.4 points and 7.3 assists as a HS senior.
12. Nebraska — Eshaunte Jones gives the Huskers some scoring punch from the perimeter.