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| Jay Bilas |
The Big 12 is flush with very good teams, but perhaps no real great ones. To me, there is no Kansas of last season that everyone believes has the ability to win the national championship. Of course, that doesn't mean that such a team cannot develop and emerge during the conference season, but almost every team has a significant weakness to deal with. Texas Tech is a very good defensive team that can pressure the ball and get out and force turnovers, but it is not a quality shooting team and there is no dominant post presence. But Andre Emmett may be the best offensive player in the country. Kansas, Texas and Oklahoma are still the "favorites," but Texas Tech will hold serve in most of its home games and win some on the road. The top of the league is not quite as dominant as it was a year ago, but still formidable.
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| Dick Vitale |
The Big 12 is still too tough up top with Kansas. Texas will still be in the hunt, as will Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. While Andre Emmett is having a Player of the Year season, winning away from home is tough, and the Red Raiders haven't proven they can do that the past two seasons. Still, Tech will be a first-division team this year, and Knight's kids will always play hard. Tech is a well-schooled club and will make the NCAA Tournament. But I don't think it will win the Big 12 title.
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| Fran Fraschilla |
I like Knight's team and it is already cruising toward an NCAA bid and a pretty high seed. The win Saturday over Oklahoma State was impressive. But, I don't think Texas Tech has enough offensive answers to take the pressure off the league's best player -- Andre Emmitt. Right now, he's making up for Tech's lack of a true low-post scoring presence and inconsistent outside shooting. Defensively, the Red Raider's quickness will drive some Big 12 foes nuts. Ultimately, there is not a proven second option for the Red Raiders, which will hurt them in games against Kansas, Texas and Oklahoma.