IRVING, Texas (AP) — Kansas, the Big 12 champion or co-champion in each of the past eight seasons, is the preseason favorite to win again this year.
League coaches tapped the Jayhawks as the overwhelming 2012-13 favorite in the annual preseason vote released Thursday.
Kansas was 16-2 in league play last season and made it all the way to the NCAA championship game against Kentucky. The Jayhawks return senior starters Jeff Withey, Elijah Johnson and Travis Releford.
Since coaches are ineligible to vote for their own team, Kansas got the maximum nine first-place votes available. The other top vote went to Baylor, which was picked second.
Oklahoma State is third, followed by Texas, Kansas State and Big 12 newcomer West Virginia. Oklahoma, Iowa State, Texas Tech and TCU round out the poll.
