The Big 12 Preseason Basketball Poll is out, and for the first time in conference history, the Oklahoma Sooners earned top billing. Texas is No. 2. The defending national champion Kansas Jayhawks are picked to finish 3rd alongside Baylor.

KU is coming off its best season ever of 37 wins en route to the 2008 national title. However, the Hawks lost all five starters from last year.

They do return two players who contributed significant minutes in point guard Sherron Collins and center Cole Aldrich.


The Kansas State Wildcats enter the polls at No. 8 following the departure of their two leading scorers in Michael Beasley and Bill Walker

Point guard Jacob Pullen is the returnee with the most experience coming back.

Listen to what coaches Bill Self and Frank Martin had to say about the rankings... see video.