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Posted: Friday November 05, 1999 08:59 PM

Big 12 overview

Jayhawks look to fend off Texas-sized challenge

Eric Chenowith looks to bring the regular-season title back to Lawrence. Todd Warshaw/Allsport

Order of Finish 1. Kansas 2. Texas 3. Oklahoma State 4. Oklahoma 5. Missouri 6. Texas Tech 7. Iowa State 8. Nebraska 9. Colorado 10. Kansas State 11. Texas A&M 12. Baylor

Top storylines

Will Kansas return quickly to its accustomed Top 10 status? The Jayhawks claimed their third consecutive conference tournament championship, but failed to win the league regular season crown for the first time. Texas, which won that title despite having only seven scholarship players, has a full deck to play with this season. Coaching wise, former Duke assistant Quin Snyder takes over at Missouri, replacing the retired Norm Stewart, and Dave Bliss takes over a dismal program at Baylor.

How they will spend Selection Sunday
Relaxing	Sweating	Fishing
Kansas Texas Oklahoma State Oklahoma	Missouri Texas Tech Iowa State Nebraska Colorado.	Kansas State Texas A&M Baylor

Players to Watch

Top Three Frontcourt Players

Chris Mihm, Texas • Future NBA lottery pick blocks shots and hopes to score more. Gabe Muoneke, Texas • One of better power forwards in country working to control emotions. Eduardo Najera, Oklahoma • Potential All-America made splash in NCAA Tournament.

Top Three Backcourt Players

Rayford Young, Texas Tech • Single-handedly beat Kansas with 41-point performance last season. Keyon Dooling, Missouri • League's Mr. Showtime should flourish in Snyder's wide open offense. Jeff Boschee, Kansas • Hasn't seen a shot he won't take; More talent around him should help.

Top Three Newcomers

Terry Black, Baylor • Highly sought-after transfer from Indian Hills (Iowa) CC. Luke Axtell, Kansas • Texas transfer brings impressive range but little defense. Moses Malone Jr., Texas Tech • The transfer from Houston, eligible in early December, is a scorer -- period.

Coaches

Hot Coach

Rick Barnes, Texas • In first year, turned a team that went 14-17 in '97-'98 into the regular season conference champ.

Coach on the Hot Seat

Danny Nee, Nebraska • 11 postseason bids in 13 years not enough; season ticket sales are falling and natives are getting restless.

Schedules

Toughest Schedule

Missouri • Indiana, St. Louis, Iowa, Illinois and Kentucky.

Quickest-Way-to-20-Wins Schedule

Baylor • Plays 10 of 11 nonconference games at home but has lost 17 in a row.

Mark Your Calendar

Dec. 7, Kansas vs. Michigan State • Jayhawks get early-season test against Final Four participant last season. Dec. 2, Oklahoma vs. Cincinnati • Sooners were manhandled by Bearcats on road last season. Jan. 2, Texas vs. Houston. • Former Longhorn Bernard Smith will suit up for UH this time around. Feb. 28, Kansas at Texas • Texas would like to become the Jayhawks' chief rival in the conference.

Jerome Solomon covers the Big 12 for the Houston Chronicle.

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