Big 12: Realignment shape up

After watching some of the West Coast teams compete in the Big 12 in football, a lot of people have already somewhat gotten used to the new Big 12.

However, the outlook on the basketball season for the Big 12 is going to take a massive shift with the additions of Utah, Colorado, Arizona and Arizona State.

Through the first week and a half of the season, the four new teams are 11-1 on the season. Obviously these teams haven’t played a lot of significant matchups, so far, but it’s a hot start to the season for what could be the deepest conference in the entire country.

Arizona is the team that will make the most impact out of the four. Currently No. 9 in the country, the Wildcats have consistently been in contention for the Pac-12 Championship. However, now that they are in the Big 12, the Wildcats will likely be at the top with Houston and Kansas throughout the entire season.

Despite losing multiple key pieces in the transfer portal last season, Arizona still has a lot of players who will contribute to a team that will be fighting for a Big 12 Championship and a National Championship.

Caleb Love will undoubtedly be the leader of the team. So far this season, Love is averaging 13.5 points per game while shooting 38.5% from three.

Those numbers will have to take a rise as he gets settled into the new season.

There’s a massive dropoff before the next team is out of the pack of the new teams.

Arizona State is likely the next-best team and could cause some trouble for some of the top teams. The college basketball world has learned to never doubt a Hurley and the Sun Devils have Bobby Hurley at the helm.

Hurley has continued to build up the Arizona State program and this year the Sun Devils could shock some teams.

With its top players transferring in, in the offseason, it may take a bit for Arizona State to fully get everything together. However, it gives the team enough time before the Big 12 season starts.

Colorado is a team that has had recent success, however, it will be interesting to see how the Buffaloes shape up this season after losing their top players to the NBA.

Elijah Malone leads the team in points per game so far this season at 13.3 and is shooting at an exceptional 70% from the field. That pace is not going to withstand, but if he remains somewhat at that efficiency, he can be a real impact player in the Big 12.

Utah might be the most unknown team out of the four, and it has had recent struggles. A shift to a new conference could change the outlook on the team and through three games it looks like the Utes may just have a star.

Although it’s against some lowly opponents Gabe Madsen is averaging 25.3 points per game. With a shift to an even more offensive conference, Madsen’s scoring can really help the Utes throughout Big 12 play.

Overall, it’s four teams that definitely are on different trajectories at the moment. However, every team has the chance to really give the top teams in the conference some issues.

Andrew Deal is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email asd5765@psu.edu.