Texas

Last Year’s Record: (21–12, 8–8 Big 12); lost to Mississippi State in first round of NCAA Tournament, 71–63

Returning Starters: 3

Key Returning Players: Brittainey Raven, Sr., 13.4 ppg, 3.1 rpg; Kathleen Nash, Jr., 11.4 ppg, 6.6 rpg; Erika Arriaran, Sr., 7.5 ppg

Key Losses: Ashley Lindsay, 7.6 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.19 bpg; Carla Cortijo, 7.0 ppg, 4.5 apg,

After being upset in the first round of the NCAA Tournament by Mississippi State, Texas will look to return to the NCAA Tournament for the third straight season under coach Gail Goestenkors.

The Longhorns did lose two starters from last year’s team but will return six players who saw time in the starting lineup last year. With five upperclassmen on its roster, Texas is easily one of the most experienced teams in the Big 12 South.

Defensively, Texas will look to continue to improve on its defensive numbers. The Longhorns ranked fifth in the Big 12 in scoring defense, giving up an average of 58.7 points per game and allowed their opponents to shoot an average of .368 from the field.

Offensively, the Longhorns return three of their five top scorers from last year, including senior guard Erika Arriaran. Arriaran currently ranks seventh on Texas’ all-time career three point field goals made and three point field goal percentage.

Texas was third in the Big 12 in scoring with 70.2 points per game. If the Longhorns can repeat that number, expect them to be legitimate contenders for the Big 12 South.

Oklahoma State

Last Year’s Record: 17–16 (4–12 Big 12); lost in second round of WNIT to Arkansas, 61–60

Returning Starters: 3

Key Returning Players: Andrea Riley, Sr. 23 ppg, 6.03 apg, 2.03 spg; Tegan Cunningham, Sr. 10.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg, .440 fgp; Megan Byford, Sr. 4.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg, .563 fgp

Key Losses: Shaunte’ Smith, 12.0 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 1.06 spg, Taylor Hardeman, 6.3 ppg, 2.27 apg, 1.42 spg

Oklahoma State struggled last season to a 17–16 record, and ended with an even worse 4–12 conference record. The Cowgirls did make it to the second round of the Women’s National Invitation Tournament only to lose to Arkansas in a thrilling overtime loss.

This season comes with high hopes however, as six upperclassmen including the Big 12’s leading scorer, Andrea Riley.

Last season, Riley was put on the midseason list for both the Naismith Trophy and Wooden Award. Expect Riley to once again stand out for the Cowgirls as they look to make it back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2008.

The Cowgirls did have the second best offense in the Big 12 averaging 70.7 points per game. However, they also ranked second to last in scoring defense, allowing an average of 64.4 points per game while allowing their opponents to shoot .386 from the field.

If the Cowgirls intend to get back to the NCAA Tournament they will need to play tougher defense and shoot better from beyond the arc. Expect senior center Megan Byford to carry much of the rebounding load. With the loss of last year’s leading rebounder, Shaunte’ Smith, the Cowgirls will need Byford to be a force in the paint both offensively and defensively.

Missouri

Last year’s record: 13–17 (4–12 Big 12)

Returning Starters: 4

Key Returning Players: Jessra Johnson, Sr. 13.0 ppg, 6.9 rpg, .409 fgp; Shakara Jones, Jr. 10.3 ppg, 4.3 rgp, .504 fgp; RaeShara Brown, Jr. 6.1 rpg, 2.7 spg, 2.4 apg

Key Losses: Alyssa Hollins, 13.1 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.7 apg

With only one starter leaving, the Missouri Tigers return four starters and could be one of the surprise teams in the Big 12. Last season, Missouri failed to make it to any postseason tournament after the Big 12 Tournament, but with seven upperclassmen and a team full of players with playing experience, it could be an interesting season for the team.

Last season, Missouri ranked last in every major offensive category. If the Tigers want to make it past the Big 12 Tournament and improve on their 13–17 record, they will need to improve those numbers.

Expect an upperclassmen heavy starting lineup to put up more than 60 points per game this season. Senior forward Jessra Johnson will need to get more help from her supporting cast as the Tigers lost their leading scorer and three point shooter.

Defensively the Tigers ranked sixth in scoring defense. Junior guard RaeShara Brown led the team in steals last season. Brown also ranked second on the team in rebounds per game.

The Tigers will need to continue to play tough defensively this season if they want to be contenders in the Big 12, especially if their offense continues to struggle.

Baylor

Last year’s record: 29–6 (12–4 Big 12); lost to Louisville in Sweet 16 of NCAA tournament, 56–39

Returning Starters: 1

Key Returning Players: Kelli Griffin, 6.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 3.7 apg

Key Losses: Jessica Morrow, 11.2 ppg, 2.9 rpg; Rachel Allison, 8.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg; Jasmin Plyaer, 10.6 ppg, 5.6 rpg; Danielle Wilson, 15.1 ppg, 9.6 rpg

Baylor has been tabbed the preseason favorite to win the 2009-2010 Big 12 women’s basketball regular season. The Bears return eight letter winners including Kelli Griffin, who was the starting point guard and led last year’s dominating squad.

Along with key returners, newcomer Brittney Griner has been named the nation’s top recruit, and will add her 6-foot-8-inch height advantage in the post. Griner averaged 33 points, 15.5 rebounds and 11.7 blocks in her senior year at Nimitz High School.

The highly-hyped freshmen can dunk the ball with ease and is argubaly Baylor’s best recruit in any sport.

Kansas State

Last year’s record: 25–8 (10–6 Big 12); lost to Vanderbilt in second round of NCAA tournament, 74–61

Returning Starters: 2

Key Returners: Ashley Sweat, 16.5 ppg, 5.1 rpg; Kari Kincaid, 8.0 ppg, 2.3 rpg

Key Losses: Shalee Lehning, 10.7 ppg, 7.0 rpg; Marlies Gipson, 13.4 ppg, 6.7 rpg

The Wildcat defense was a force last year as Kansas State held opponents to an average 53.3 points per game, which ranked them seventh in the nation and was the lowest average held by a Wilcat squad since the 1974–’75 season.

Senior Ashley Sweat will be the leader of the Kansas State offense this season, along with help from Kari Kincaid. The loss of starting point guard Shalee Lehning will leave a large gap for Sweat to fill, as the Kansas State offense relied primarily on what Lehning wanted to do with the ball.

Kansas

Last year’s record: 22–14 (6–10 Big 12); lost in WNIT championship to South Florida, 75–71

Returning starers: 4

Key Returners: Danielle McCray, 21.6 ppg, 7.8 rpg; Krysten Boogaard, 9 ppg, 5.5 rpg; Sade Morris, 12.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg; Nicollette Smith, 6.4 ppg, 1.2 rpg

Key Losses: Ivana Catic, 3.7 apg

The Jayhawks have been picked to finish second in the conference this season, after winning nine of their last 12 games.

Senior guard/forward Danielle McCray was named 2009-’10 Preseason Big 12 Player of the Year.

Other returns include Sade Morris and Krysten Boogaard, both strong players last season and upcoming key players in this season’s squad.

The only gap Kansas will need to fill is what Ivana Catic left, which was an incredible assist-to-turnover ratio and the team’s leader in assists.

Colorado

Last year’s record: 11–8 (3–13 Big 12); lost in the first round of the NCAA tournament to No. 5 Kansas State

Returning Starters: 5

Key Returners: 

-Brittany Spears,

18.3 ppg, 7.8 rpg; 

Spears was third in the Big 12 in scoring last season

-Bianca Smith, Guard

9.2 ppg, 4.1 rpg;

-Alyssa Fressle, Guard

7.7 ppg, 2.6 rpg

Key Losses:

-Kara Richards, Center

13.5 ppg, 7.1 rpg

Colorado will have more depth this season than the Buffs have seen in the past. The Buffs will have an abundant amount of guards, allowing Colorado to play a much quicker offensive game. Also with the depth in guard play, junior forward Brittany Spears won’t have to play every minute of every game. Freshman Meagan Malcolm-Peck will be a versatile player for Colorado this season as she shows signs of ability to play anywhere from the two to the five position. Her sister, Brenna Malcolm-Peck is also a new addition to the Buffalo lineup. Both players from the Boulder area.

Oklahoma

Last year’s record: 32–5, Overall, 15–1; lost to Louisvile in NCAA tournament Final Four, 15–1 in Big 12 (1st), National Semifinalist

Returning starters: 3

Key Returners: 

-Danielle Robinson, Guard

12.9 ppg, 5.9 apg; 

-Whitney Hand: , Guard

9.2 ppg, .373 3-pt percentage %

Key Losses: 

-Courtney Paris, Center

15.9 ppg, 13.5 rpg;

-Ashley Paris, Forward

12.6 ppg, 9.6 rpg

While the Sooners return more than half of their starting lineup from last season’s Final Four team, they will lose all of their force underneath the basket. Courtney Paris left Oklahoma as one of the most dominant players in NCAA women’s basketball history, becoming one of few four-time First-Team All-Americans. To go along with her, sister Ashley Paris also finished a standout career in Norman last season. The Big 12 regular season champions of 2008–’09 have plenty of guard talent back for this year, but will need to find capable replacements down low in order to be as competitive as they have been for the last four seasons.

Texas A&M

Last year’s record: 27–8, 11–5; lost to Arizona State in Sweet 16 of NCAA tournament, 84–69, NCAA Regional Semifinalist

Returning starters: 2

Key Returners: 

-Tanisha Smith, Guard/Forward

10.6 ppg, .446 3-pt percentage; %

-Sydney Colson, Guard

3.0 apg

Key Losses: 

-Takia Starks, Guard

15.8 ppg; 

-Danielle Gant, , Guard/Forward

14.2 ppg, 6.8 rpg

Texas A&M showcased a very athletic, determined team last season that allowed them to reach the NCAA Sweet Sixteen. However, the Aggies lost their top two offensive options in All-Conference honorees Starks and Gant, who led them to a third place finish in the regular season and runner-up in the Big 12 Tournament. To go along with their solid group of returning players, the Aggies picked up junior transfer Danielle Adams —, who was named the Big 12 Newcomer of the year for the 2009-’10 season. Texas A&M was ranked fourth in the Big 12 Ppreseason Ppoll.

Nebraska

Last year’s record: 15–16, 6-10; lost to New Mexico in first round of the WNIT, 54–43

Returning starters: 4

Key Returners: 

-Cory Montgomery, Forward

15.2 ppg, 7.8 rpg; 

-Yvonne Turner, Guard

11.7 ppg, 2.2 spg

Key Losses: None

The Huskers lose only one starter from their WNIT-qualifying team last season. However, that position will be filled by the services of Kelsey Griffin, Nebraska’s leading scorer in 2007–’08 that missed last season due to injury and will return to the lineup this season. Leading scorer and rebounder Cory Montgomery is back for her senior year after an outstanding 2008–’09 season, and guards Yvonne Turner and Dominique Kelley also return to provide an athletic, scrappy backcourt for the experienced Nebraska roster that was voted to sixth place in the Big 12 preseason poll.

Texas Tech

Last year’s record: 16–15, 6–10; (T-7th)

Returning starters: 2

Key Returners: 

-Kierra Mallard, Forward/Center

9.8 ppg, 7.9 rpg

Key Losses: 

-Dominic Seals, Forward

13.3 ppg, 7.8 rpg;

-Jordan Murphree

11.3 ppg

A middle-of-the-road team in 2008–’09, Texas Tech may struggle this season due to the loss of its leading scorer and rebounder in Dominic Seals. The Red Raiders, who were tabbed as the 10th-place team in the Big 12 preseason poll, have barely stayed above .500 overall in the last couple of seasons, and may struggle to get over the mark with such a young, inexperienced team in 2009–’10.