Feb. 12, 2013

Oklahoma is OK in Big 12 Preseason Poll

Oklahoma is the top pick in the Big 12 Conference Preseason Coaches’ Poll, in voting by the league’s head coaches as released by the conference office.

The Sooners, under head coach Sunny Golloway (left), registered six first-place votes and 62 points to finish ahead of conference newcomer TCU, with three first-place votes and 55 points. Texas is third with 48 points, followed by 2012 regular-season champ Baylor, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Kansas State, Kansas and West Virginia.

This is the second time OU was the preseason favorite. The Sooners also topped the 2011 poll. OU has never won the Big 12 regular-season title and captured the tourney crown once, in the inaugural tournament in 1997.

The 2013 campaign begins on Friday, Feb. 15, with all nine teams in action. Conference play kicks off the weekend of March 15-17, as Texas Tech visits Texas to highlight that weekend. The Big 12 Tournament will be held at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City, Okla. The eight-team tournament will be played May 22-26.

2013 Big 12 Preseason Poll

Team, Points (First Place) (2012 Big 12, Overall Records)

1. Oklahoma 62 (6) (13-10, 42-25)

2. TCU 55 (3) (18-6 MWC, 40-22)

3. Texas 48 (14-10, 30-22)

4. Baylor 47 (20-4, 49-17)

5. Oklahoma State 38 (13-11, 32-25)

6. Texas Tech 28 (7-17, 29-26)

7. Kansas State 20 (7-17, 27-31)

8. Kansas 18 (7-16, 24-34)

9. West Virginia 8 (9-18 BEC, 23-32)

(photo courtesy of OU Media Relations)