No. 2 Texas Tech
Sophomore guard Jarrett Culver became the program’s first Big 12 Player of the Year, and Chris Beard won Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season. But forget awards. The Red Raiders boast the best defense in the country, according to KenPom efficiency ratings.
No. 3 Kansas
Versatile forward Dedric Lawson had a case against Culver for conference player of the year, but the Memphis transfer doesn’t have a typical Jayhawk squad behind him. Senior guard Lagerald Vick won’t return from a leave of absence, big man Udoka Azubuike has long been lost for the season and Kansas doesn’t have a first round 2019 NBA Draft pick on its roster.