College Basketball Analyst Mike O'Donnell of CBS Sports joined Big 12 Today to discuss the weekend on the men's basketball hardcourt in the Big 12. Mike provided an in-depth look at Kingston Flemings, highlighting how well he has been playing and his potential to win Big 12 Player of the Year. He also pointed out that nobody is really talking about JT Toppin being in that conversation, but he believes Toppin’s contributions could be significant as the season progresses.

Mike discussed Houston’s development as a team following their loss to Texas Tech, emphasizing the growth of freshmen Kingston Flemings and Chris Cenac. He noted how they continue to improve and complement their games with veterans like Emmanuel Sharp and Milos Uzan.

He also praised the overall strength of the Big 12, mentioning that the conference boasts six of the top teams in the country: Arizona, Houston, Texas Tech, BYU, Iowa State, and Kansas.

Finally, Mike expressed confidence in UCF, stating they will be a tournament team, citing their impressive win over Kansas and their strong performance against Arizona as evidence of their potential.

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Greg Wrubell, the Voice of BYU, joined Big 12 Today to discuss the latest in men's basketball for the BYU Cougars. He pointed out that BYU is not a very deep team but features a very strong "Big 3" that carries much of the load. Greg mentioned that injuries to Dawson Baker and Nate Pickens have posed challenges for the Cougars, but he praised players like AJ Dybantsa, Rob Wright, and Richie Saunders for their contributions.

Due to BYU's limited depth, Greg emphasized that their star players cannot afford to have off nights, noting that this was a factor in their loss to Texas Tech in Lubbock. He also discussed what the upcoming schedule reveals about BYU's team, mentioning that the schedule was relatively manageable until their road game against Texas Tech.

As the schedule intensifies, Greg advised focusing on the games they should win but warned that Big 12 games, especially on the road, are likely to be tough battles. Expect competitive matchups and a need for BYU’s stars to perform at their best in the tougher stretches ahead.

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Scott Springer of the Cincinnati Enquirer joined Big 12 Today to discuss the latest offseason developments for Cincinnati. He started by clarifying that head coach Scott Satterfield is not currently on the hot seat, emphasizing that Cincinnati is focusing on long-term stability and growth for the program.

Scott highlighted that Cincinnati operates with a smaller sports budget compared to programs like Texas Tech, given its size and market. He noted that Cincinnati is a small town with local sports competition primarily from the Reds and Bengals, which influences the athletic department's strategic decisions.

Turning to defense, Scott discussed the expectations for Cincinnati next season under new defensive coordinator Nate Woody. He praised Woody’s success at Army and his reputation for transforming defenses, suggesting that Cincinnati fans can anticipate a more aggressive and disciplined defensive unit.

On the offensive side, Scott talked about the upcoming season’s outlook, especially considering the departures of quarterbacks Brendan Sorsby and Jeff Caldwell. He introduced the new quarterback, JC French, highlighting his talent and productivity at Georgia Southern, and expressed optimism about French’s potential to make an impact at Cincinnati.

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Chris Level of Texas Tech Radio Network and Locked on Red Raiders provided a comprehensive preview of the upcoming Houston/Texas Tech game on Big 12 Today. He discussed the rescheduling due to weather, emphasizing how the inclement conditions impact both teams, especially Houston, which has a quick turnaround after their game against TCU in Fort Worth.

Chris also recapped the recent Texas Tech vs. Baylor game, highlighting Texas Tech’s sharpshooting from beyond the arc and noting Baylor’s talent but inconsistent performance. He praised Texas Tech’s defensive improvements over their four-game winning streak, though he pointed out that depth remains a concern for the Red Raiders.

Additionally, Chris reflected on the first matchup between Texas Tech and Houston earlier this month, where Houston secured a home victory largely through their strong defense. The upcoming rematch will be an opportunity for Texas Tech to demonstrate how much they’ve improved since that initial encounter.

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Tim Fitzgerald, Publisher of GoPowercat on 24/7 Sports, joined Big 12 Today to discuss the latest offseason updates at Kansas State.

He highlighted quarterback Avery Johnson's decision to return, emphasizing that having Collin Klein back will be highly beneficial for Johnson, who has yet to fully meet expectations. Tim also discussed the change at defensive coordinator and what fans can expect from the defense this upcoming season.

On the offensive side, he talked about efforts to strengthen the offensive line and the need for an additional receiver in the WR room, citing the challenge of replacing Jayce Brown.

Regarding the schedule release, Tim considers it very manageable, noting the absence of Texas Tech, BYU, and Utah, though he mentioned that the non-conference schedule could pose some challenges.

Lastly, he touched on basketball, predicting that Kansas will win the upcoming game against K-State, citing the Wildcats' struggles with defense as a key factor.

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ESPN College Basketball Analyst Fran Fraschilla joined Big 12 Today to share insights on men's basketball in the Big 12.

He began by highlighting Texas Tech's recent success, noting their four-game winning streak and praising JT Toppin for his performance. Fran previewed the upcoming Big 12 Game of the Week on TuneIn, where the Red Raiders host the Houston Cougars, emphasizing the exciting matchups—from guard play to inside presence.

He discussed the challenges both teams face offensively and how hot shooting from three could tip the scales. Fran also analyzed Arizona's prospects, praising Tommy Lloyd's team's physicality and toughness.

Additionally, he commented on Arizona State head coach Bobby Hurley's remarks about the lack of a home-court advantage in Tempe and shared admiration for West Virginia head coach Ross Hodge, calling him the perfect fit for Morgantown.

Fran also touched on his relationship with Kansas fans.

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Scott Draper, Big 12 Chief Football & Competition Officer, joined Big 12 Today to discuss the upcoming 2026 football schedule release.

He explained the details of the schedule, including bye weeks and the conference's excitement about the new arrangements. Scott highlighted how travel considerations influence scheduling and addressed the requirement of 12 weekday games per season, with the conference collaborating with Fox, ESPN, and member schools to determine the specific matchups.

He emphasized the importance of input from schools regarding campus events and explained that the Big 12 Championship game will rotate between Friday and Saturday—Friday in even years and Saturday in odd years. Scott expressed enthusiasm about this change, seeing it as a great opportunity to showcase the strength of the Big 12.

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Garrett Ross of 365 Sports joined Big 12 Today to share the latest offseason news regarding the Baylor Bears. He started by discussing Baylor's hiring of Joe Klanderman and what he will mean for the team's defense. Garrett noted that while there is some excitement about Klanderman’s arrival, this kind of coaching staff turnover isn’t new to Baylor head coach Dave Aranda, who has experienced a revolving door of staff changes.

Garrett expressed concerns about Baylor not being more aggressive in the transfer portal outside of DJ Lagway, suggesting that the team is betting more on potential rather than proven results. While he is optimistic about Lagway's talent, Garrett is wary of his injury history and what that could mean for his future health.

He also shared insights from a recent conversation with Baylor Athletic Director Doug McNamee, stating that he believes McNamee understands the demands of the job and is trying to reconnect the fanbase with the team. However, Garrett feels that Baylor's expectations are unclear, and currently, he doesn’t see a specific benchmark for success, with a successful season possibly being a bowl appearance, such as the Texas Bowl.

Power ranking the transfer portal outside of Lagway, Garrett predicts that Baylor will likely have a new head coach within the next two years. He emphasized that this is not a critique of Aranda’s character or impact but noted that winning games is the ultimate measure of success. Garrett mentioned that Jeff Traylor should be considered if Baylor moves on from Aranda, implying Traylor could be a strong candidate for the future.

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Ross Dellenger, Senior Writer for Yahoo Sports, joined Big 12 Today to discuss the latest developments in College Football Playoff expansion. He explained that the SEC, Big 12, and ACC are in agreement to expand the playoff from 12 to 16 teams, while the Big Ten is aiming even higher, seeking to expand from 12 to 24 teams.

Dellenger highlighted that the Big Ten’s push for a 24-team playoff is driven by a desire to create more opportunities for teams to compete in postseason play. He also noted a growing belief among the SEC and other leagues that conference championship games will eventually be phased out in favor of expanded playoffs.

Additionally, Dellenger discussed the college football rules cap, mentioning that some schools want the cap lifted due to increased budgets and financial capabilities. On NIL deals and legal issues, he confirmed that over 17,000 NIL deals have been approved, with around 500 denied, and a few cases proceeding to arbitration.

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Former St. John's Head Coach & Kansas Assistant Coach Norm Roberts joined Big 12 Today!

Coach Roberts shared insights from last night's action on the hardcourt.

He reflected on his experience filling in for Kansas Head Coach Bill Self, emphasizing the importance of relying on the coaching staff—highlighting Jeremy Case’s valuable experience in that role.

He praised Kansas interim head coach Jacque Vaughn for demonstrating his leadership by trusting his staff and players, which contributed to their victory over Colorado in Boulder. Coach Roberts noted that Vaughn effectively implemented Coach Self’s messaging, especially emphasizing strong defense and rebounding as keys to their success.

Coach Roberts advised teams to focus on defending Texas Tech by limiting their three-point opportunities, pointing out how JT Toppin's contributions helped Texas Tech secure the win.

Finally, he highlighted the UCF/Iowa State game, giving credit to Joshua Jefferson for his impressive triple-double performance.

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