The Future (Part I)

An interesting little segment here. We're right in the heart of the 2008 Big XII basketball championship race. But, as most know, I almost always keep one eye on the future.

So, I've decided to do a little preview of what these teams may look like next season. In Part I I'll take a look at that upper half of the Conference. I'll put it this way, there are going to be a lot of new faces in the Conference next season.

Kansas

Graduating Seniors: Russell Robinson (7 ppg, 3 rpg, 4 apg); Rodrick Stewart (3 ppg, 3 rpg); Sasha Kaun (8 ppg, 5 rpg, 1.3 bpg); Darnell Jackson (12 ppg, 7 rpg); Jeremy Case

Other Potential Departures: Brandon Rush (12 ppg, 5 rpg); Darrell Arthur (14 ppg, 6 rpg)

Key Returners: Mario Chalmers (12 ppg, 5 apg)

Incoming Recruits:
Mario Little (6'5, SG)
Travis Releford (6'5, SG)
Marcus Morris (6'8, PF)
Markieff Morris (6'9, PF)
Quintrell Thomas (6'8, PF)

Overview: The Jayhawks are losing a lot of senior leadership, particularly along the frontline. If Rush and Arthur decide to go pro as well, which is very possible, KU will have quite a fight to stay atop the Big XII Conference standings next year.

Texas

Graduating Seniors: J.D. Lewis (2 ppg); Connor Atchley (11 ppg, 5 rpg)

Other Potential Departures: D.J. Augustin (19 ppg, 6 apg)

Key Returners: A.J. Abrams (18 ppg); Damion James (13 ppg, 11 rpg)

Incoming Recruits:
J'Covan Brown (6'2, SG)

Overview: It is possible, but highly unlikely that one or two of the Longhorns decide to test the NBA waters. D.J. Augustin may be the one with the best chance, but the thinking is that he takes the T.J. Ford route and spends a couple years in Austin to make sure he's ready for the next level. If Augustin, James, and Abrams all return next season, I believe Texas will be the odds on favorite to win the Big XII next season.

Kansas State

Graduating Seniors: Blake Young (6 ppg, 3 apg); Clent Stewart (8 ppg, 3 apg)

Other Potential Departures: Michael Beasley (26 ppg, 13 rpg); Bill Walker (16 ppg, 7 rpg)

Key Returners: David Hoskins (15 ppg, 6 rpg - 2006); Jacob Pullen (10 ppg, 4 apg)

Incoming Recruits:
Jamar Samuels (6'7, SF)
Denis Clemente (6'0, PG) - University of Miami Transfer

Overview: There are a lot of question marks surrounding who will even be on the 2008-2009 version of the Kansas State Wildcats. It is possible, though unlikely, that Michael Beasley and/or Bill Walker could return for a sophomore campaign. If that were to happen, then put Kansas State right up there with Texas atop the Conference and among the early leaders for the National Championship. The more likely scenario, however, has Beasley and Walker leaving, but David Hoskins returning to fill the void as a veteran leader and major scoring presence in the post.

If that happens, the Wildcats will have plenty of backcourt firepower, and the much needed experience to still compete for the Conference title and an NCAA Tournament berth.

Texas A&M

Graduating Seniors: Dominique Kirk (8 ppg, 4 apg); Joseph Jones (11 ppg, 5 rpg)

Other Potential Departures: DeAndre Jordan (9 ppg, 6 rpg)

Key Returners: Bryan Davis (9 ppg, 5 rpg); Josh Carter (13 ppg, 4 rpg)

Incoming Recruits:
Dashan Harris (6'0, PG)
David Loubeau (6'9, PF)

Overview: Jordan is likely gone, and he combined with Joseph Jones will leave a huge void to fill along the Aggie frontline. There will still be enough talent returning to compete with the upper echelon of the Conference, but head coach Mark Turgeon is a douchebag and I'm not sure that he has what it takes to consistently win in this Conference.

Baylor

Graduating Seniors: Aaron Bruce (10 ppg); Mamadou Diene (4 ppg, 4 rpg, 2 bpg); Mark Shephard (2 ppg, 2 rpg)

Other Potential Departures: None

Key Returners: Curtis Jerrells (15 ppg, 4 apg); Henry Dugat (12 ppg, 4 rpg); Kevin Rogers (12 ppg, 8 rpg)

Incoming Recruits:
Anthony Jones (6'8, SF)
Artem Valov (6'9, PF)

Overview: In Jerrells, Dugat, Rogers, and Tweety Carter, the Bears will bring back one of the most talented corps of players in the Conference. Scott Drew has stocked the cupboard in Waco, and if this year is the coming out party for the Bears then next season could be the year when they legitimize their placement as one of the Conference's upper tier teams.

Oklahoma

Graduating Seniors: David Godbold (8 ppg); Longar Longar (13 ppg, 7 rpg)

Other Potential Departures: Blake Griffin (15 ppg, 9 rpg)

Key Returners: Tony Crocker (11 ppg, 5 rpg); Austin Johnson (9 ppg, 3 apg)

Incoming Recruits:
Willie Warren (6'3, PG)
Ray Willis (6'5, SG)
Kyle Cannon (6'8, PF)
Orlando Allen (6'10, C)
T.J. Mitchell (5'10, PG)

Overview: There's no guarantee that Blake Griffin will try and enter the NBA Draft after this season. If he returns, Oklahoma could be another very dangerous team next year with the return of Keith Clark from a season-ending injury. Willie Warren will be the elite freshman in the Big XII next season, and he will give the Sooners a virtually unstoppable scoring threat from the guard position. If combined with Blake Griffin, that would be a high-low duo that could propel the Sooners into the top four of the Conference.