Kansas Basketball picked 2nd in Big 12 preseason poll.

The Jayhawks are looking to defend both their Big 12 title and the NCAA Championship, but it won't be easy.

The Big 12 Conference released the results of the Preseason Coaches Poll, and the Kansas Jayhawks were voted as the second best team in the conference, behind the Baylor Bears.

🏀 #Big12MBB 2022-23 Preseason Poll 🏀

📰 https://t.co/Pus9gBtYJa pic.twitter.com/9qlYkqoeYC

— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) October 13, 2022

The 2022 National Champions lost a lot of players to graduation and the NBA Draft, including Final Four MOP Ochai Agbaji, David McCormack, Remy Martin and Mitch Lightfoot.

The return of Jalen Wilson was bolstered by the additions of Kevin McCullar, who transferred from Texas Tech, and the incoming freshman class of Gradey Dick, MJ Rice, Ernest Udeh Jr and Zuby Ejiofor, but the additions were not enough to keep the Jayhawks at the top of the poll.

While it is fair to wonder how Baylor will be able to replace the pieces they lost, there is no doubt the Scott Drew is a great coach who will have them pretty prepared for conference play.

The biggest surprise in this poll might be the Iowa State Cyclones coming in at #8. While they might have been fortunate last year with their tournament draw, there is no denying that this team greatly outperformed expectations, and I wouldn't be surprised to see TJ Otzelberger's team do it again.

All ten teams will be in attendance at the Big 12 Men's Basketball Tipoff next week in Kansas City. Interviews will be aired on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ from 9am to noon on Wednesday October 19.

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