The Sports Bank’s college basketball season previews undergo a face lift this season. Rather than counting down the top 111 teams in 111 days, we will go conference-by-conference. I’ve already counted down the Pac-12 and now we turn our attention to the Big 12.
With four starters returning, the Oklahoma Sooners will once again be a factor in the Big 12 race. The eligibility of transfer TaShawn Thomas is a huge x-factor this season for Lon Kruger’s crew.
OKLAHOMA SOONERS
Last Season: 2nd, 12-6 in Big 12, 23-10 overall
Predicted Big 12 Finish: 4th
Projected Depth Chart
F/C: Ryan Spangler (Jr)/Khadeem Lattin (Fr)/Jamuni McNeace (Fr)
F: TaShawn Thomas (Sr)???/D.J. Bennett (Sr)/Dante Buford (Fr)/C.J. Cole (So)
SG: Buddy Hield (Jr)/Frank Booker (So)
G: Isaiah Cousins (Jr)/Bola Alade (Fr)
PG: Jordan Woodard (So)/Dinjiyl Walker (Jr)
Gone: F-Cameron Clark, F-Tyler Neal, PG-Je’lon Hornbeak (transfer-Monmouth)
2014-2015 Outlook:
OU boasts a deep, talented backcourt trio that is one of the more underrated group of guards in the country. Buddy Hield is one of the top returning scorers in the conference and likely a future pro. He can score from anywhere on the floor.
Hield is once again joined by Isaiah Cousins and Jordan Woodard at the guard position. Cousins is the team’s top three-point threat while Woodard proved to be a solid distributor who should only be better as a sophomore. The sooner did lose Je’lon Hornbeak to transfer but returns shooting guard Frank Booker. JUCO transfer Dinjiyl Walker should factor into the equation as well.
Ryan Spangler returns to anchor the frontcourt after nearly averaging a double-double in his first season with the Sooners. What could really help Oklahoma get to the next level would be the immediate addition of Houston transfer, TaShawn Thomas. He has applied for a waiver to be granted eligibility this season versus having to sit out a year but has yet to hear official word from the NCAA. If Thomas can play right away, his scoring ability would bolster OU inside.
Without Thomas, playing time is up for grabs inside. D.J. Bennett was used in a reserve role last season but doesn’t bring a whole lot of skill to the floor. A trio of freshmen would compete for minutes led by top 100 recruit Dante Buford.
A Sooners squad with Thomas in uniform could compete for the Big 12 title this season. Without the Houston transfer, OU is still a Top 25 caliber club who should make their third straight trip to the NCAA Tournament. Now the challenge will be avoiding a first round exit like the past two postseasons.
Key Non-Conference Games:
11/19 at Creighton
11/26 vs. UCLA (Battle 4 Atlantis)
11/27 vs. North Carolina/Butler (Battle 4 Atlantis)
11/28 vs. Wisconsin/UAB/Florida/Georgetown (Battle 4 Atlantis)
12/5 vs. Missouri (SEC/Big 12 Challenge)
12/13 at Tulsa
12/20 vs. Washington (MGM Grand Showcase in Las Vegas)
12/22 vs. Weber State
OTHER BIG 12 PREVIEWS:
PAC-12 PREVIEWS:
#1 ARIZONA WILDCATS
#4 UCLA BRUINS
David Kay is a senior feature NBA Draft, NBA, and college basketball writer for the Sports Bank. He also heads up the NBA and college basketball material at Walter Football.com and is a former contributor at The Washington Times Communities. David has appeared on numerous national radio programs spanning from Cleveland to New Orleans to Milwaukee to Honolulu. He also had the most accurate 2011 NBA Mock Draft and the most accurate 2012 NBA Mock Draft on the internet (Yup, repeat champ… #humblebrag), and finished with the second most accurate 2013 NBA Mock Draft (nearly a three-peat.) You can follow him on Twitter at David_Kmiecik.