Big 12 Conference coaches have picked the Kansas University’s baseball team to finish eighth in the 2006 preseason poll. Defending NCAA champion Texas has been selected to win the 2006 Big 12 regular season crown.
The Jayhawks return seven starting position players and two starting pitchers off the 2005 squad that won 36 games. In head coach Ritch Price’s first three seasons, the Jayhawks have won 30-plus games for an unprecedented three consecutive years.
Texas’ 79 points were nine ahead of 2005 Big 12 champion Nebraska. The Longhorns garnered eight first place votes while the Huskers and third place Missouri Tigers each received one first place tally. Baylor came in fourth with 54 points followed by Oklahoma (44), Oklahoma State (41) and Texas A&M (36).
The Jayhawks received 24 points to tie them for eighth with Texas Tech. In-state rival Kansas State rounded out the ten team league with 11 points.
Kansas will be the first Big 12 team to open the season when it beings play on Thursday, Feb. 1 at Hawaii-Hilo.
2006 Preseason Big 12 Baseball Coaches Poll
1. Texas (8) 79
2. Nebraska (1) 70
3. Missouri (1) 66
4. Baylor 54
5. Oklahoma 44
6. Oklahoma State 41
7. Texas A&M 36
t8. Kansas 24
Texas Tech 24
10. Kansas State 11
