Big 12 releases preseason men's basketball poll, all-conference team

The University of Arizona men's basketball team ended last season at the top of the heap. Many expect a repeat this season. The Big 12 Conference announced its 2026-27 preseason poll and conference awards, voted on by the head coaches. The Wildcats, regular-season and tournament champions and Final

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The University of Arizona men's basketball team ended last season at the top of the heap. Many expect a repeat this season.

The Big 12 Conference announced its 2026-27 preseason poll and conference awards, voted on by the head coaches. The Wildcats, regular-season and tournament champions and Final Four qualifiers a year ago, were tabbed the favorite, finishing with 220 points, six more than Houston.

Motiejus Krivas was selected as the Big 12 Preseason Player of the Year and was joined on the preseason first team All-Big 12 by sophomore Ivan Kharchenkov.

Last year, Krivas averaged 10.4 points and 8.2 rebounds. He also blocked a career-high 73 shots and held opponents to a field goal percentage of 36.7% when he was on the floor.

Kharchenkov, entering

his second season with the Wildcats, had 53 steals last year, handed out 89 assists and grabbed 4.3 rebounds per game.

Arizona State, with new head coach Randy Bennett, was selected 12th, with Paulius Murauskas selected as Newcomer of the Year.

Murauskas, who played for Bennett last season at Saint Mary's, averaged 18.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists in helping the Gaels to an NCAA Tournament berth. He recorded seven double-doubles. His season high of 32 points came against Pacific, while his career rebounding high was 15 against Akron in the 2024-25 season.