
Big 12 Basketball 2026‑27: Title Contenders and Transfer Turmoil
The 2026‑27 Big 12 season promises a reshaped landscape, with title contenders emerging amid a wave of player movement.
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The 2026‑27 Big 12 season promises a reshaped landscape, with title contenders emerging amid a wave of player movement.

The Cyclones are preparing for a season that mixes new talent with a strategic schedule, featuring home‑and‑home matchups against Kansas and Oklahoma State and a revised non‑conference slate.

The departure of Milan Momcilovic to Kentucky leaves a noticeable gap in Iowa State’s lineup, but sophomore sharpshooter Jamarion Batemon, transfer Ryan Prather Jr., and versatile forward Leon Bond III are poised to step up. Their performances will define the Cyclones’ trajectory this season.

The Cyclones will lose three key players and their head coach, prompting a reshaped roster that must balance experience with youthful depth.

The Iowa State Cyclones men's basketball program, led by head coach T.J. Otzelberger, enters the 2026‑27 season with a mix of fresh talent and seasoned veterans, aiming to sustain its recent success despite notable departures.

The Cyclones will field a reshaped squad next season, blending returning veterans with fresh transfer additions as they look to stay competitive in the Big 12.

The Cyclones will field a largely new lineup after several key players left for the NBA draft or exhausted eligibility, but coach Otzelberger believes the additions will preserve their recent top‑10 momentum.

With the NBA Draft withdrawal deadline passed, a wave of elite talent has chosen to stay in college, reshaping the preseason rankings and setting the stage for a competitive 2026‑27 campaign.

After a strong campaign, Iowa State is reshaping its lineup with the arrival of guard Leon Bond III, a 6‑5, 200‑pound forward who brings defensive intensity and rebounding to complement the team's evolving identity.
Jackson Kiss, a consensus four-star big man, has flipped his commitment from Iowa State to UNLV, prompting the Cyclones to lean on their current roster and recent transfer additions as they prepare for the 2026 season.

St. John's has risen to No. 16 in the 2026‑27 CBS Sports Preseason Top 25 And 1 rankings after securing a commitment from four‑star forward Theo Edema, while Coach Rick Pitino looks to bolster the roster with two additional transfers.