It tugs at the emotions of Big 12 fans and puts them in a tough spot for the next few weeks. It’s the overlap.Yes, that time of the college athletic year when the football and basketball seasons intertwine. For college students, this requires a serious commitment to the art of time management. Let’s face it, the overlap can be strenuous. Take for example Kansas, which will face No. 4 Texas in a huge football matchup at 11:30 a.m. Saturday in Lawrence, then turn around and have its defending national championship basketball team play its opener against UMKC at 7:30 Sunday night in Allen Fieldhouse.The Conference Chatter blog is looking out for you, the victim of the overlap, during these times of emotional athletic strain.Here are 12 basketball keys to keep in mind (one from each conference team) that might help make the transition a bit smoother:**1. Kansas**: How far can Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich lead this group of newcomers? This much is certain: KU coach Bill Self is one of the best recruiters in the nation and knows how to develop young talent. This is a Jayhawk team that could be scary by mid-January. Kansas should easily win the North and challenge for its ninth regular-season title in the 13 years of the conference’s existence. **2. Texas**: With the absence of D.J. Augustin, who will run the point guard? The Longhorns have 81 percent of their minutes returning this season, but it remains to be seen what they’ll do at the one-position. It’s widely thought that if 5-foot-10 senior guard A.J. Abrams runs the point, his NBA stock would improve dramatically. If not Abrams, UT would likely turn to freshman guard Dogus Balbay. Either way, Damion James, Justin Mason, Connor Atchley and Gary Johnson all return to a UT team that should make a deep tournament run again.**3. Oklahoma**: Could Willie Warren and Blake Griffin be the best 1-2 punch in the conference? The duo has a decent cast surrounding it and OU could make a deep tournament run in March.**4. Baylor**: The Bears’ defense will be under a microscope this season. We all know Baylor can score (see names like Curtis Jerrells, LaceDarius Dunn, Kevin Rogers and Tweety Carter returning). But defense will decide if they challenge Kansas, Texas and Oklahoma for the Big 12 title. The talent’s there.**5. Oklahoma State**: 5-11 senior guard Byron Eaton and 6-6 sophomore guard and McDonald’s All-American James Anderson may be the conference’s most underrated 1-2 punch. **6. Texas A&M**: The losses of DeAndre Jordan to the NBA, in addition to Dominique Kirk and Joseph Jones, could have a big effect on the Aggies. They do return Josh Carter (doesn’t it seem like he’s been there like eight years?), Donald Sloan and Bryan Davis, but A&M looks to be a borderline tournament team for now.**7. Kansas State**: What will Michael Beasley’s absence mean for the Wildcats? Well, probably a lot. K-State may be the most mysterious team in the conference, when it comes to predicting how it will finish. Sophomore point guard Jacob Pullen displayed flashes last year, but he’s the only returning player on the team who’s put up more than 250 shots in Div. I. **8. Texas Tech**: You won’t recognize many names from the Red Raiders aside from senior guard Alan Voskuil and sophomore guard John Roberson this year.**9. Missouri**: Decent frontcourt with senior forwards Leo Lyons and DeMarre Carroll returning. Hey, the North is so weak that these guys could finish second.**10. Nebraska**: How much will the Huskers miss Aleks Maric, a focal point of Nebraska’s offense and defense for the past three years? A lot, most likely. The Huskers had prized recruit Roburt Sallie signed, but lost him to Memphis after NCAA Clearinghouse troubles. **11. Iowa State**: Quick, name someone on Iowa State … yeah, that’s a problem. Not exactly a force in the conference.**12. Colorado**: Will coach Jeff Bzdelik’s slow style of offense pay off in the Big 12? Last year, while watching a Colorado game, I’m quite sure I left the room and drove to get a sandwich from Mr. Goodcents, had a 10-minute phone conversation with my brother in Arizona, returned to my home and still made it in time to see Colorado put up a shot from the same offensive possession from before I left. Seriously, though, Bzdelik is a proven recruiter, but it may take the Buffs another year or two before they challenge in the North.Hopefully, this will make your transition do-able. For now, enjoy getting ready for the basketball season with some inspired music from Van Halen:Sorry for the randomness, but is this not one of the most uplifting rock songs ever?That’s all for now, friends. As always, discuss.
