Kansas and Oklahoma State are the Coaches' Preseason Favorites to win the 2004-05 Big 12 Men's Title
Oct. 21, 2004
Kansas and Oklahoma State are the preseason favorites to win the 2004-05 Big 12 Conference title in a vote of the league’s head coaches, the league announced Thursday. Both squads received six of 12 possible first-place votes, marking the first time in conference history two teams have shared the top spot in the coaches’ preseason poll.
This marks the sixth time in the nine-year history of the Big 12 that Kansas has been selected preseason favorite. In three of the Jayhawks’ four conference titles, KU was the coaches’ preseason pick.
KU returns its top four scorers from last season, including leading scorer Wayne Simien (17.8 ppg). The Jayhawks advanced to the NCAA Regional Finals a year ago after a title game appearance in 2004. The Cowboys boast Co-Big 12 Player of the Year John Lucas (15.1 ppg) after a Final Four effort and conference championship in 2003-04. OSU returns four starters from last season’s 31-4 squad.
“This is a league in which multiple teams have a chance to win the conference title,” Kansas head coach Bill Self said. “The Big 12 should be even more deep and talented this year as in the past.”
With 97 points, Texas is projected to finish third. The Longhorns hope to head back to the Final Four after advancing two years ago. Oklahoma was slotted fourth and begins the season led by junior Kevin Bookout and sophomore Drew Lavender.
Missouri, Iowa State, Texas Tech and Nebraska were next in the preseason selections. Each of the squads played in the postseason last year. Kansas State, Colorado, Texas A&M and Baylor rounded out the poll.
The Big 12 season gets underway on Monday, November 15 as Colorado hosts College of Charleston in the Preseason NIT. Conference play begins January 5 when Texas A&M travels to Kansas.
The preseason All-Big 12 team will be announced on Tuesday (October 26) one day prior to the Big 12 Basketball Media Days, held Oct. 27-28 in Kansas City.
2004-05 Big 12 Coaches' Preseason PollTeam (First place votes) Points1. Kansas (6) 116 Oklahoma State (6) 1163. Texas 974. Oklahoma 945. Missouri 806. Iowa State 687. Texas Tech 618. Nebraska 479. Kansas State 4210. Colorado 3111. Texas A&M 2912. Baylor 11Eleven points were award for first place, 10 for second, etc. Coaches not permitted to vote for their own team.
Preseason Big 12 Coaches Poll History Preseason Big 12 ChampionSeason Selection (actual finish) (preseason selection)1996-97 No coaches poll Kansas1997-98 Kansas (1st) Kansas (1st)1998-99 Oklahoma State (Tie – 5th) Texas (5th)1999-00 Kansas (5th) Iowa State (6th)2000-01 Kansas (Tie – 2nd) Iowa State (4th)2001-02 Kansas (1st) Kansas (1st)2002-03 Kansas (1st) Kansas (1st)2003-04 Missouri (Tie – 5th) Oklahoma State (5th)
