The Big 12 conference has released the preseason basketball poll for the 2010-2011 season, tabbing the Kansas State Wildcats at #1 for the first time in the programs history. The Wildcats received 10 of the first place votes from the current coaches in the conference, with the other two first place votes going to Kansas.
The Colorado Buffaloes show up in ninth place, ahead of only Nebraska, Oklahoma and Iowa State. Whether the Buffs are being undervalued because the other coaches in the conference are unsure about new head coach Tad Boyle, they don't know enough about who is returning or they just don't think CU is any good, they will end up being proven wrong at the end of the season.
As we mentioned earlier today, the Buffs are one of only six teams nationally (Duke, Michigan State, Gonzaga, Syracuse, Purdue) that has two players are the preseason Wooden Award list. Cory Higgins is entering his last season at Colorado and has improved over each one of his seasons. Last year, Higgins finally got some help from true freshman Alec Burks and the Buffaloes finished with their best season since 2005. Burks ended up leading all Big 12 freshmen with 16.8 points per game, finishing seventh overall in his first season. With the addition of guard Shannon Sharpe, who missed last season with an injury, and Tad Boyle has the talent to take the Buffaloes back to the NCAA Tournament.
Consider ESPN columnist Doug Gottlieb a believer:
Colorado: Sure, the Big 12 coaches have dissed the Buffs for bringing very little to the conference in terms of national credibility, but this season could and should be different. Tad Boyle, who is a Colorado native and KU alum, returns with a better style for Cory Higgins and Alec Burks. With the "North" still very top-heavy in the last season of the split schedule, CU should be a very tough out.
2010-11 BIG 12 PRESEASON POLL
Team (First-place Votes) Points
1. Kansas State (10) 119
2. Kansas (2) 109
3. Texas 99
4. Baylor 96
5. Missouri 82
6. Texas A&M 69
7. Texas Tech 52
8. Oklahoma State 51
9. Colorado 46
10. Nebraska 31
11. Oklahoma 27
12. Iowa State 11
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