Kansas and Texas A&M share being the preseason favorite to win the 2011-12 Big 12 men’s basketball crown in a vote of the league’s head coaches. It marks the second time in conference history (KU, Oklahoma State in 2004-05) that two squads tied for the top spot in the preseason poll. Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own teams.
Baylor, Missouri and Texas were next at third, fourth and fifth. BU and MU received first-place votes, marking just the second time in Big 12 history (2008-09) that four different teams received first-place recognition.
Kansas State, Oklahoma State and Iowa State were next, while Oklahoma and Texas Tech tied for ninth to round out the poll.
Marcus Denmon was named to the preseason All-Big 12 team with Ricardo Ratliffe getting honorable mention.
Preseason Player of the Year
Perry Jones III, Baylor, F, 6-11, 235, So., Duncanville, Texas/Duncanville
Preseason Newcomer of the Year
Royce White, Iowa State, F, 6-8, 270, So., Minneapolis, Minn./Hopkins/University of Minnesota
Preseason Freshman of the Year
LeBryan Nash, Oklahoma State, G/F, 6-7, 230, Fr., Dallas, Texas/Lincoln
2011-12 Preseason All-Big 12 Team
Perry Jones III, Baylor** F 6-11 235 So. Duncanville, Texas/Duncanville
Thomas Robinson, Kansas** F 6-9 237 Jr. Washington, D.C./Brewster Academy
Marcus Denmon, Missouri G 6-3 185 Sr. Kansas City, Mo./Hogan Prep
J’Covan Brown, Texas G 6-1 197 Jr. Port Arthur, Texas/Memorial
Khris Middleton, Texas A&M** F 6-7 210 Jr. North Charleston, S.C./Porter-Gaud
2011-12 BIG 12 MEN’S BASKETBALL PRESEASON POLL
1. Kansas (5) 73
Texas A&M (2) 73
3. Baylor (2) 63
4. Missouri (1) 61
5. Texas 51
6. Kansas State 39
7. Oklahoma State 33
8. Iowa State 27
9. Oklahoma 15
Texas Tech 15
