Big 12 Power Rankings Teams 6-10 : College Basketball Preview

Before you know it college basketball will be right around the corner. I thought it would be a good idea to start my college basketball preview. In the following weeks and months I will be breaking down the teams in each conference as well as the top players, freshman, coaches and much more.

Today I look at the Big 12; I ranked teams 6-10.

6. Oklahoma State Starters Returning (2) Page, Olukemi

Oklahoma State does lose their best player in Marshall Moses, but they do return 5 of their 6 top scorers. Keiton Page (13.2 ppg) is their leader at point guard; he is a smart player who needs to improve his shooting percentage. Joining him in the backcourt is Markel Brown (6.4 ppg) who needs to improve on his freshman season. The Cowboys have excellent backup here in Reger Dowell (5.2 ppg) and Fred Gulley (2.3 ppg). Also watch out for freshman point guard Cezar Guerrero. Their best player will be small forward freshman LeBryan Nash, he was a top 10 recruit. He is a freak athlete who has drawn comparison to Ron Artest. Up front J.P. Olukemi (11.1 ppg) will lead the way, and he is a very explosive scorer. Also joining him is Darrell Williams (7.1 ppg). The back ups here will be Jarred Shaw (1.2 ppg), Roger Franklin (1.7 ppg), redshirt freshman Michael Cobbins, and incoming freshman Phillip Jurick. The Cowboys lack height but are very athletic.

7. Kansas State - Starters Returning (3) McGruder, Samuels, Southwell

The Wildcats and head coach Frank Martin lost 2 of their 3 best players including the heart and sole of the team Jacob Pullen, but still some talent returns. The backcourt will be the strong point for Kansas State; Rodney McGruder (11.1 ppg) is the best player he is very explosive. Will Spradling (6.4 ppg) returns at the point; he is a very heady player. Martavious Irving (4 ppg),  freshman Angel Rodriguez, and JUCO transfer Jeremy Jones will be three quality back ups here. Shane Southwell (1.8 ppg) and redshirt freshman Nino Williams will share duties at small forward. Jamar Samuels (8.5 ppg) returns at power forward; he will produce more without Curtis Kelly. Jordan Henriquez-Roberts (3.7 ppg) has great size and will join Samuels up front. Providing the depth up front will be Victor Ojeleye (1.8 ppg) and JUCO transfer James Watson. Also in the mix will be two very talented freshman Adrian Diaz and Thomas Gipson. Diaz could start from day one.

8.Iowa State - Starters Returning (2) Christopherson, Ejim

Head coach Fred Hiberg brings two starters back, and 4 division 1 transfers that are eligible to play this season. The transfers have the talent, but the question is can they all mesh together? The Cyclones best returning player is shooting guard Scott Christopherson (13.7 ppg); he is a deadly shooter. Helping in the backcourt will be Michigan State transfer Chris Allen, who also is a great shooter. The backups will be JUCO transfer Tyrus McGee, Bubu Palo (3.4 ppg), and freshman Tavon Sledge. McGee is the best of the bunch. Melvin Ejim (10.3 ppg) leads the way at small forward, and very good athlete; Penn State transfer Chris Babb backs him up. The Cyclones two best players up front are both transfers Anthony Booker from Southern Illinois and Royce White from Minnesota. Providing the depth here will be Jordan Railey (2 ppg) and freshman Percy Gibson.

9. Oklahoma - Starters Returning (4) Fitzgerald, Pledger, Clark, Blair

A couple of years ago Oklahoma basketball was hot with Blake Griffin, but now Griffin and head coach Jeff Capel are gone and in comes Lon Kruger, who was at UNLV last season. The Sooners bring back an experienced group. Andrew Fitzgerald (12.6 ppg) leads the way in the frontcourt as the Sooners top scorer and rebounder. Helping him out in the frontcourt will be Mississippi State transfer Romero Osby. These two are good but they lack size; hopefully JUCO transfer Casey Arent will help. Tyler Neal (4.2 ppg), C.J. Washington (2.5 ppg), and Barry Honore (1.2 ppg) are solid backups here. Cameron Clark (9.3ppg) is a great athlete at small forward who has the talent to be a lot better. Both starters return in the backcourt: shooting guard Steven Pledger (10. 9 ppg) is an excellent shooter. Staring point guard Carl Blair (7.5 ppg) also returns, but he will get pushed by Calvin Newell (3.5 ppg) and JUCO transfer Sam Grooms.

10. Texas Tech - Starters Returning (1) Lewandowski

The Knight era is over at Texas Tech; now Billy Gillispie takes over the program, he coached at Texas A&M previously. The Red Raiders lose 5 of their top 6 scorers and two transfers. He brings a lot of players in, but none are highly thought of. The only returning starter is center Robert Lewandowski (8.5 ppg). He is steady in the middle and will do more in an expanded role. Jarron Nash, a JUCO transfer will be at the other forward. The backups in the frontcourt will be JUCO transfer Kader Tapsoba, freshman Daouda Soumaoro, and senior Theron Jenkins (2.9 ppg) who was hurt last season. Jaye Crockett (4.8 ppg) is solid at the small forward. Javarez Willis (3.6 ppg) and Mike Davis (2.8 ppg) are the only returnees in the backcourt. Willis will likely start at the point with JUCO transfer Ty Nurse and freshman point guard Kevin Wagner backing him up. At shooting guard Utah transfer Marshall Henderson will be the man followed by Davis. Also watch out for freshman Terran Petteway and Toddrick Gotcher on the wing.

Tags: Big 12 Basketball, Iowa State, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech