Coaches pick Kansas to win Big 12 again

By J-W Staff Reports Oct 15, 2015

Nick Krug

Kansas players, from left, Wayne Selden, Perry Ellis, Frank Mason and Jamari Traylor watch a pair of free throws from Kelly Oubre with head coach Bill Self after a flagrant foul by Baylor during the second half on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2014 at Ferrell Center in Waco, Texas.

As another college basketball season approaches, the Big 12’s coaches once again pegged Kansas University as the favorite to finish on top of the standings.

This marks the fifth year in a row and the 14th time since the Big 12 opened play in 1996-97 that the Jayhawks were picked to win the regular season.

Each coach in the conference except KU’s Bill Self — coaches can’t vote for their own team in the preseason poll — picked Kansas as the odds on favorite.

Although Oklahoma finished No. 2 in the coaches’ poll, the other first-place vote went to Iowa State, which earned the No. 3 spot.

#Big12MBB: For the 14th time in #Big12 history, @KUHoops tops the coaches preseason poll – http://t.co/AzX7MD9u6X pic.twitter.com/v8622HP5uG

— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) October 15, 2015

Looking for at least a share of their 12th consecutive Big 12 regular-season title, the Jayhawks return Perry Ellis, Frank Mason III and Wayne Selden Jr., as well as the majority of the 2014-15 roster.

Kansas has won, or tied for, 14 of the 19 Big 12 regular-season titles, including the last 11 consecutive — a streak which ranks tied for second all-time in NCAA Division I history. Last year KU went 27-9 overall and won the league with a 13-5 record.