The Big 12 lost a number of its stars from the 2009-2010 season, but some of the remaining players are difference makers and there are some newcomers that look to fill the void as well. Some of the names on this list are ones you have heard from before, but there are a few that the unseasoned Big 12 hoops fan may not have heard of. Here’s a look at some of the players that could have good fantasy seasons in 2010-2011.
1. LaceDarius Dunn, G, Baylor Bears
Baylor loses two very important pieces to their Elite Eight run from last season in Tweety Carter and Ekpe Udoh. One piece that remains is hot shooting guard LaceDarius Dunn. Dunn is a guy that gets points with volume shooting, which can only improve with Carter’s departure. Dunn averaged 19.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game as a junior in 2009-2010. His scoring came on 41.2% shooting from 3-point range and his stats have increased each year and look for them to take the final step in his senior campaign.
2. Jacob Pullen, G, Kansas State Wildcats
The Wildcats will look to improve on their Eilte Eight run in 2010 on the back of Jacob Pullen. While they lost floor general Denis Clemente, Pullen decided not to make a run at the NBA. Last season, Pullen averaged 19.3 points on 41.9% shooting and 3.4 assists. His assists may have to rise as he will probably be asked to run the offense a little more, but look for his scoring to improve as well.
3. Marcus Morris, F, Kansas Jayhawks
Morris emerged as a real threat on both ends of the floor during his sophomore season. As one of the most improved players in the league, he averaged 12.8 points and 6.1 rebounds. He collected eight double-doubles last season, five during conference play. With the Jayhawks losing Cole Aldrich to the NBA, the frontcourt load will be placed on Morris, look for his stats to increase again.
4. Alec Burks, G, Colorado Buffaloes
No one in the Big 12 expected the freshman of the year to come from Colorado, but Alec Burks didn’t care. He averaged 17.1 points, tops among freshmen, adding five rebounds and league-best 53.8% shooting. The duo of Burks and Cory Higgins provides the Buffaloes with great offense, and Big 12 fans only have one more year to see this tandem at work, as Higgins is a senior and the Big 12 will likely say goodbye to the Buffs in the offseason.
5. Perry Jones, F, Baylor Bears
Jones is the first freshman on this list. This comes due to his top-10 rankings as a recruit. Jones will be filling Ekpe Udoh’s spot, but don’t expect immediate double-double averages as there are plenty of other players on the Bears’ roster that will get looks. Still, expect big things from Jones as he will get plenty of minutes in Scott Drew’s system.
6. Brian Diaz, C, Nebraska Cornhuskers
Many hoops fans are probably thinking “Who?”, but last season as a freshman, Diaz showed spots of brilliance. He never quite tallied a double-double, but came close a few times. Diaz averaged 8.8 points and four rebounds per game against some of the best big men in the country including 20 points and nine rebounds against Cole Aldrich and Kansas. Look for Diaz to gain some weight over the summer and begin picking up double-doubles in his sophomore season.
7. Josh Selby, G, Kansas Jayhawks
The second freshman on the list, Selby comes in to Kansas with large shoes to fill. As Sherron Collins departs, Selby has been given the keys as the #1 recruit by some scouting services. While he has more help than some players, look for Selby to make a big impact for the Jayhawks.
8. Curtis Kelly, F, Kansas State Wildcats
When Kelly was on the floor for the Wildcats last season, he was usually brilliant. The problem came when he racked up too many fouls, relegating him to the bench. Kelly averaged 11.5 points and a team-high 6.5 rebounds, shot 56.5% from the field and blocked 74 shots, more than any returning Big 12 player. He also had 10 games with four or more fouls. If Kelly can remain on the floor, look for him to contribute more to the Wildcats.
9. Jordan Hamilton, G, Texas Longhorns
Hamilton remains as what seems as the only returning player from last year’s squad. Sure, the Longhorns only lost Damion James, Dexter Pittman and Avery Bradley, but someone is going to need to score. Many are looking to Hamilton to fill that void. As a freshman, Hamilton averaged ten points and 3.7 rebounds, but look for those numbers to rise as the scoring will have to come from somewhere.
10. Royce White, F, Iowa State Cyclones
I’m going out on a limb here and assuming that Royce White will be eligible for the upcoming season. As a transfer that never played at Minnestoa, the Cyclones will look to fill the void from Marquis Gilstrap and Craig Brackins’ departures with White. Assuming White becomes eligible and keeps his head on straight, look for him to be an impact player for Iowa State.
Honorable mention: Tony Mitchell, Missouri Tigers; Anthony Jones, Baylor Bears; Mike Singletary, Texas Tech Red Raiders