Part of the reason for the Big 12's decline last year was that it was dominated by sophomores. This year, however, the players are a year older and stronger, indicating that the Big 12 is prepared for a rebound season.

To find the strength of the conference, take a look inside the paint. The Big 12 is dominated by big men -- centers such as Chris Mihm at Texas and Eric Chenowith at Kansas, and power players such as Marcus Fizer at Iowa State and Eduardo Najera at Oklahoma. Teams will rely on size and strength for their improvement this year.

Kansas, always a dominant team, had an uneven season last year after losing Raef LaFrentz and Paul Pierce to the NBA. But the Jayhawks have nearly everyone back and should return to the top of the conference. They are loaded at every position, have good size and strong newcomers. Jeff Boschee, last year's Big 12 Freshman of the Year, is one of the better all-around guards in the country. Chenowith has become a force inside. Luke Axtell, a transfer from Texas, gives the Jayhawks a 6-9 sharp-shooter who can also pass. How he fits in with Kansas will be the question mark.

Other than Kansas, Texas should be strong once again. There are few frontcourts better than the Longhorns, with Mihm and power forward Gabe Muoneke. Muoneke's talents probably get overlooked, since his temper has a tendency to come out. But he may be one of the strongest, most physical post players in the country, especially defensively. Texas also adds Chris Owens, a transfer from Tulane and a top 25 prospect when he came out of high school.

Oklahoma State, with four starters back, should be stronger this year. And I believe first-year head coach Quin Snyder will do a fine job at Missouri, taking over from Norm Stewart. After playing for Final Four teams and coaching as an NBA assistant, Snyder has probably never been around the kind of talent he will have at Missouri. He will find that the coaches in the Big 12 are some of the best in the country. He will need to make adjustments to know what style will win ballgames for the Tigers.

All-conference team
Chris Mihm, junior, C, Texas: 13.7 ppg, 11 rpg
Marcus Fizer, junior, F, Iowa State: 18.0 ppg, 7.6 rpg
Desmond Mason, senior, F, Oklahoma State: 15.4 ppg, 7.9 rpg
Eduardo Najera, senior, F, Oklahoma: 15.5 ppg, 8.3 rpg
Jeff Boschee, sophomore, G, Kansas: 10.9 ppg, 3.7 apg

All-newcomer team
Luke Axtell, junior, G, Kansas
Chris Owens, junior, F, Texas
Steffon Bradford, junior, F, Nebraska
Terry Black, junior, F, Baylor
Kelley Newton, junior, G, Oklahoma

Best backcourt: Oklahoma State
Doug Gottlieb and Joe Adkins return to the Cowboys' backcourt and will keep it strong despite the loss of leading scorer Adrian Peterson. Glendon Alexander and Desmond Mason can also be added to the mix. Gottlieb doesn't shoot well, but he is probably the best passer in the country.

Best frontcourt: Texas
The Longhorns have the best frontcourt just with Mihm and Muoneke alone. Owens should be a solid addition and make Texas even more formidable inside. But the combination of Mihm and Muoneke can play with any other tandem in the country.

Team on the rise: Texas A&M
This may surprise some people. I like what Melvin Watkins did at UNC Charlotte. I think he is a good coach and has some good talent, with a strong recruiting class. It's a team nobody looks at now, being picked as low as 11th out of 12. I think Watkins will do some things that will surprise some people.

Toughest road game: Oklahoma State
The noise level is deafening at Gallagher-Iba Arena. It's a small arena, even though they are raising the roof to increase the seating. But it's a compact place where you can't hear a teammate from three feet away. When the Cowboys are playing their best basketball, the noise rivals any place in the country.

Postseason teams
NCAA: Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, Missouri
NIT: Colorado, Texas A&M, Iowa State, Nebraska