HOUSTON COUGARS were 65 seconds away from cutting down the nets last season. Can they finish the job in 2024-25?

PARKER AINSWORTH and CHRIS RAUGH break down Houston's championship aspirations after their heartbreaking national title loss, analyzing how returning starters MILOS UZAN, JOJO TUGLER, and top-ranked freshmen KINGSTON FLEMINGS and CHRIS CENAC make the Cougars even more dangerous this season. The duo examines whether Houston's elite defensive identity under legendary coach KELVIN SAMPSON can finally deliver the program's first national championship. With experienced veterans combining with elite freshman talent, the Cougars enter the season as legitimate title contenders.

The conversation shifts to KANSAS STATE WILDCATS' ambitious rebuild featuring All-American transfer PJ HAGGERTY from Memphis and MAC Player of the Year NATE JOHNSON. Is head coach JEROME TANG on the hot seat after missing consecutive NCAA tournaments following the program's magical Elite Eight run? The hosts examine Kansas State's path back to March Madness relevance and whether Haggerty's scoring prowess and leadership can restore the program's recent tournament success. Can Tang's new-look roster overcome back-to-back disappointing seasons and return the Wildcats to their 2023 form?

Key topics include Houston's suffocating defensive schemes, the loaded BIG 12 CONFERENCE outlook featuring powerhouses BYU, TEXAS TECH, and perennial contender KANSAS, plus intriguing sleeper picks TCU and OKLAHOMA STATE who could surprise the conference. CHRIS predicts an unprecedented nine to ten Big 12 teams could make the NCAA tournament in what he calls "the toughest and deepest conference in America," setting up brutal conference battles throughout the season.

Tune in for bold predictions, hot seat analysis, transfer portal breakdowns, and comprehensive Big 12 basketball insights from two expert hosts who know the conference inside and out.

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