2012-13 Preview: Big 12

Pierre Jackson is one of two returning starters from Baylor’s 2011-12 squad that made it to the Elite Eight and won the most games in school history. Jackson was only a freshman on that team, but was still one of the best players in the nation. His 5.9 assists per game was 22nd in the country while he handed out 223 assists, second-most in school history. His 68 steals were fifth-best and he scored in double figures 28 times, and had five games with 10 or more assists.

Kansas State returns its leading scorer with swingman Rodney McGruder. He’s one of only three returning Big 12 players to have ranked in the top 20 in both scoring and rebounding in 2011-12, while his 67 consecutive starts rank fifth all-time in school history. McGruder was the team’s leading 3-point shooter at 38.5 percent.

Jeff Withey went from a non-contributor in his sophomore season, to one of Kansas’ key parts in its run to the national championship game in New Orleans last season. Withey became one of the best defenders in the country, averaging 3.6 blocks per game — good for fourth in the nation. He set an NCAA Tournament record for most blocks in a single tournament with 31.