There’s something familiar and something new in this year’s Big XII basketball season.
Kansas sits atop the preseason polls, as one would expect. Familiar as the cold north wind in February.
Texas threatens to be a looming giant, garbed and billowing with expectations, a severe aspect, and a fanbase ready to throw in the towel at the first sign of weakness.
Iowa State and Kansas State are in the midst of rebuilds they never intended, although Bruce Webber’s mere presence presaged Manhattan’s setting sun even as he led them to a share of the conference title.