The first K-State men’s basketball team coached by Bruce Weber was picked 5th in the Big 12 preseason poll by his new peers, released on Thursday morning. The Cats though are less than a full vote away from second place in the poll.
Kansas is an unanimous pick to win the Big 12, after being picked as a co-favorite with the now departed Texas A&M last season. Baylor was voted as the league runner-up, and received the other first place nod since Bill Self couldn’t vote for his own team. Oklahoma State is picked third on the strength of highly regarded freshman Marcus Smart and sophomore Le’Bryan Nash. Texas is tabbed fourth. After K-State in 5th, the Big 12 preseason poll is rounded out by West Virginia, Oklahoma, Iowa State, Texas Tech and TCU.