Big 12 Men’s Basketball Preview: Lots of new players but same old gauntlet every week

Steven Senne, AP Photo Rick Scuteri, AP Photo Matthew Putney, AP Photo Maria Lysaker, AP Photo Phelan M. Ebenhack, AP Photo Has two seasons in the Big 12 prepared BYU for another run through conference play? Well, yes … and no. Certainly the Cougar coaching staff and players are aware of the high level of play they will be facing in their 18 league games. The top six teams in the conference (Arizona, Iowa State, BYU, Houston, Oklahoma State and UCF) are a combined 73-4 after non-conference play. Overall, the Big 12 posted a 165-40 (80%) record in November and December. The hard part, in terms of preparation, is that the transfer portal and NIL have forced coaches to pretty much rebuild their...