By: David Kay

It’s week five of The Sports Bank’s college basketball previews.  Next week, all you’ve read in these previews will finally be brought to the court when teams begin to play their exhibition games.  Onto part two of the Big 12 preview which focuses on my predictions for the team that will finish in 7th-9th place, meaning they will likely be on the wrong side of the bubble come Selection Sunday.

From now on, I will refer to Missouri as the P.W.E.M.F.T.T.L.S (Pricks Who Eliminated Marquette From The Tournament Last Season.  Yes, I am still bitter.)  PWEMFTTLS will be down this season after becoming a major player in the NCAA last year.  They, like Baylor, will try to replace some very valuable seniors from a year ago.  Iowa State has sleeper written all over them.  They received great news when their best player decided not to enter the NBA Draft.

7. Missouri (3rd, 12-4 in B12, 31-7 overall, NCAA Elite Eight)

2009-2010 Outlook:
One of the major surprises in college basketball a season ago, Mizzou used their depth and tenacious full-court game to advance to the Elite 8.  Three major players from that team are gone, but the Tigers still bring back some talented, defensive minded guards.  This season will come down to how their young bench players gel into Mike Anderson’s system.  If that process is quick and the growing pains don’t last all season, there could be a return trip to the tourney.

Projected Depth Chart
F/C: Keith Ramsey (Sr)/John Underwood (Fr)/Steve Moore (So)
F: Justin Safford (Jr)/Laurence Bowers (So)/Tyler Stone (Fr)
SG: Kim English (So)/Marcus Denmon (So)
G: Zaire Taylor (Sr)/Miguel Paul (So)
G: J.T. Tiller (Sr)/ Michael Dixon (Fr)

Gone: F-DeMarre Carroll, PF-Leo Lyons, SG-Matt Lawrence

Player to Watch: Tiller- The Tigers top returning scorer at just 8.4 points per game, Tiller will combine with Zaire Taylor to be the leaders for Mizzou.  Tiller is a get after the ball defender, but will need to become more of a scorer to make up for the loss of about 40 points per game from graduated seniors.

8. Baylor (9th, 5-11, 24-15, NIT)

2009-2010 Outlook:
After starting last season 15-3, the Bears took a nose-dive the rest of the year, winning just five of their final sixteen games.  They lose their leading scorer and assist man in Curtis Jerrells, their top rebounder in Kevin Rogers, and an underrated complimentary player in Henry Dugat.  Still, the backcourt of LaceDarius Dunn and Tweety Carter has the ability to lead this team.  Add in former John Calpari-Memphis recruit Nolan Dennis and Michigan transfer Ekpe Udoh and Baylor has the potential to make some noise in the Big 12.

Projected Depth Chart
C: Ekpe Udoh (Jr)/Josh Lomers (Sr)/Dragan Sekelja (Fr)
PF: Anthony Jones (So)/Cory Jefferson (Fr)/Givon Crump (Fr)
SF: Quincy Acy (So)/Fred Ellis (So)/Duran Diaz (So)
SG: LaceDarius Dunn (Jr)/Nolan Dennis (Fr)/Mark McLaughlin (Fr)
PG: Tweety Carter (Sr)/A.J. Walton (Fr)

Gone: PG-Curtis Jerrells, F-Kevin Rogers, G-Henry Dugat, C-Mamadou Diene

Player to Watch: Carter- The all-time leading scorer in high school basketball history and the first McDonald’s All-American to ever play at Baylor, Carter has had a solid three years for the Bears, but has lived in the shadows of Jerrells.  Now that Jerrells is gone, Carter needs to live up to his potential if Baylor wants to have any chance of dancing come March.

9. Iowa State (10th, 4-12, 15-17)

2009-2010 Outlook:
A potential conference sleeper, Iowa State received a huge boost when leading scorer and rebounder Craig Brackins chose to stay in school and go to the association.  He may have his running mate in JUCO transfer Marquis Gilstrap who is expected to do some big things this season.  The Cyclones also return their starting backcourt and center and if it all clicks, ISU could be poised to be this season’s Missouri.

Projected Depth Chart
C: Jamie Vanderbeken (Sr)/Justin Hamilton (So)
PF: Craig Brackins (Jr)/LeRon Dendy (Jr)/A.J. Pomlee (Fr)
SF: Marquis Gilstrap (Sr)/Charles Boozer (Jr)
SG: Lucca Staiger (Jr)/Scott Christopherson (So)/Antwon Oliver (Fr)
G: Diante Garrett (Jr)/Chris Colvin (Fr)/Dominique Buckley (So)

Gone: PG-Bryan Peterson, SG-Sean Haluska, PF-Alex Thompson, SG-Wes Eikmeier (transfer-Colorado State)

Player to Watch: Brackins- The 6-10 power forward broke onto the national scene with a 42 point, 14 rebound performance against Kansas.  He could have left Ames and been a late-lottery or mid-first round pick had he gone pro this summer.  Instead, Brackins chose to return to school and will try to improve upon his impressive 20.2 points and 9.5 board averages from last season.

The Sports Bank Big 12 Preview Continues:
Tuesday: Teams 10-12 (Colorado, Texas Tech, Nebraska)
Thursday: Teams 4-6
Friday: Teams 1-3

The Sports Bank ACC Previews/Power Rankings:
Teams 10-12 (Virginia Tech, Virginia, N.C. State)
Teams 7-9 (Wake Forest, Miami FL, Boston College)
Teams 4-6 (Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech)
Teams 1-3 (UNC, Duke, Maryland)

The Sports Bank SEC Previews/Power Rankings:
SEC East Teams 4-6 (Vanderbilt, South Carolina, Georgia)
SEC East Teams 1-3 (Kentucky, Tennessee, Florida)
SEC West Teams 4-6 (Arkansas, Auburn, LSU)
SEC West Teams 1-3 (Mississippi State, Mississippi, Alabama)

The Sports Bank Pac-10 Preview/Power Rankings:
Teams 8-10 (Washingon State, Arizona State, Stanford)
Teams 5-7 (Arizona, USC, Oregon)
Teams 1-4 (Oregon State, UCLA, Washington, Cal)

The Sports Bank Big East Previews/Power Rankings
Teams 13-16 (Rutgers, South Florida, Providence, DePaul)
Teams 9-12 (Notre Dame, Pitt, Marquette, St. John’s)
Teams 5-8 (Syracuse, Louisville, Cincinnati, Seton Hall)
Teams 1-4 (Villanova, West Virginia, UConn, Georgetown)
Post-Season Award Predictions

For all the latest college basketball info, you can follow David Kay on Twitter at DavidKay_TSB

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