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Former St. John’s Head Coach and Kansas Assistant Coach Norm Roberts joined Big 12 Today to Preview This Weekend’s Men’s Basketball Games Coach Norm Roberts opened by praising Kansas Head Coach Bill Self, highlighting his exceptional coaching this season and the team’s significant defensive improvement. He emphasized how well Kansas has performed with and without Darryn Peterson on the court, expressing confidence in Peterson’s clutch abilities and his understanding of his own talent. Roberts provided an in-depth analysis of Oklahoma State, noting their impressive recent play and big win over BYU. He credited Steve Lutz for the Cowboys’ turnaround and believes Oklahoma State has strong prospects of making the NCAA Tournament. When discussing the upcoming Big Monday matchup between Kansas and Arizona, Roberts predicted both teams will enter with wins but stressed the importance of high-level play from both sides to succeed. Turning to BYU, Roberts acknowledged their recent struggles, citing a lack of depth and inconsistent bench production as key issues. He also pointed out their defensive difficulties and emphasized the need for more support from their bench players—Rob Wright, AJ Dybantsa, and Richie Saunders—to alleviate pressure on the starters. Regarding the Houston vs. BYU game, Roberts noted Houston’s “bully ball” style and advised BYU to adapt accordingly to counter their physical approach. Lastly, Roberts praised West Virginia’s recent performances, especially their big win over Cincinnati, and expressed confidence that the Mountaineers are a tournament-bound team. TUNE IN!

Former BYU Center Eric Mika joined Big 12 Today to Analyze BYU's Season and Discuss His Post-Playing Career Eric Mika reflected on BYU's current season, acknowledging the team's recent struggles, particularly on the defensive end. He pointed out that defensive issues have contributed to BYU's three-game losing streak and emphasized the need for improvement in that area. Eric is open to lineup changes, believing they could provide a much-needed defensive spark. While praising BYU’s offensive capabilities—highlighting players like AJ Dybantsa, Rob Wright, and Richie Saunders—Eric stressed that the defensive struggles remain a significant concern. He urged Coach Kevin Young to make adjustments to energize the team defensively and turn their season around. Eric also shared insights from his own playing days at BYU. He recounted his journey: playing a season before serving a mission, sitting out two seasons, and then returning to compete on the court. Beyond basketball, Eric is now working on NIL ventures with a company called Homecrowd, alongside former teammate TJ Haas. He explained in detail how their business operates, including how they collaborate with schools to support student-athletes' NIL opportunities. TUNE IN!

Marc Daniels, Radio PXP Announcer for UCF, joined Big 12 Today to Discuss UCF Basketball's Turnaround. Marc Daniels highlighted the impressive progress of UCF's basketball program since joining the Big 12. Despite a recent loss at Houston, he pointed out the credibility of UCF's season wins over top-tier teams like Kansas and Texas Tech, emphasizing the program's growth and competitiveness. He explained that being part of the Big 12 has significantly benefited UCF, especially considering many Southern schools prioritize football. The exposure, level of competition, and recruiting advantages have contributed to the program’s rise. Marc also credited the passionate UCF fanbase for their unwavering support, which fuels the team's success. Looking ahead, Marc discussed the remaining schedule, noting its relative favorability for UCF. However, he emphasized the importance of continued effort and caution, warning the team not to take any games for granted—especially those on the road, where seizing opportunities is crucial for sustaining their momentum. TUNE IN!

Big 12 Women’s Basketball Analyst Rachel Galligan joined Big 12 Today to recap the night on the hardcourt. She highlighted TCU’s impressive bounce-back after a tough loss to Texas Tech over the weekend. When asked about the top team in the Big 12, Rachel believes TCU remains in the conversation, along with Baylor, Texas Tech, and West Virginia, citing TCU’s array of weapons as a key factor. Rachel praised Jaliyah Davis for her outstanding season and also highlighted the talent of S’mya Nichols. She noted that Kansas is a very talented team overall but has struggled in close games down the stretch. However, she pointed out their significant win last night over BYU. Looking ahead, Rachel believes the Big 12 could have as many as 8 or 9 teams in the NCAA Tournament this season. For the weekend slate, she recommends keeping an eye on the Iowa State versus Utah game. TUNE IN!

Shehan Jeyarajah of CBS Sports joined Big 12 Today to unveil his 2026 Big 12 Power Rankings. He explained that his rankings are heavily influenced by factors such as team retention and consistency. Shehan acknowledged that Iowa State fans might be unhappy with their placement, but he explained that he predicts they will finish last this season due to concerns over roster retention and consistency. Shehan expressed optimism about Houston, ranking them at number 3. Despite having a roster that was "just okay" last year, Houston managed to win 10 games, and Shehan believes they've improved over the offseason. He also discussed BYU’s potential to elevate their program to the next level. In addition, Shehan praised Texas Tech, stating they deserve a lot of credit and are the team to watch as the favorite in the Big 12 this coming season.

Big 12 Analyst and Content Creator Chancellor Johnson joined Big 12 Today to review an exciting night in the conference. He highlighted Houston's impressive win over UCF, praising Houston’s physical "bully ball" style of play. While Chancellor acknowledged UCF as a strong, tournament-caliber team, he emphasized that Houston proved to be the better team last night. Chancellor also broke down Oklahoma State’s significant victory over BYU, marking their first quad-one win of the season. He concluded by saying that these games are just more examples of how deep and competitive the Big 12 truly is, showcasing the caliber of teams in the conference. TUNE IN!

Rachel Becker, Utah Talons Infielder, joined Big 12 Today to Discuss Big 12 Softball. Rachel Becker highlighted the strength of the Big 12 softball conference, mentioning Oklahoma State and Arizona as teams to watch. She praised Texas Tech for recruiting all three Americans this season, noting that most programs aim for one All-American, making Tech’s achievement notable. Becker shared that the 2022 College World Series inspired her to join Oklahoma State, despite their heartbreaking loss to Texas. She considers UCF a sleeper team due to their returning roster and depth, and also sees BYU as a potential sleeper with a strong returning lineup. Rachel concluded by saying she will be covering Oklahoma State this season and the Big 12 Tournament later in the year. TUNE IN!

Chris Level of Texas Tech Radio Network & Locked On Red Raiders Joins Big 12 Today Chris Level recapped the recent Kansas vs. Texas Tech basketball game, praising the strength of the Big 12 Conference and highlighting key freshmen like AJ Dybantsa, Kingston Flemings, and Darryn Peterson. He then shifted to football, discussing the importance of quarterback Brendan Sorsby as the new starter and the significance of maintaining Texas Tech’s strong culture with NFL-bound Jacob Rodriguez. On defense, Chris praised last season’s performance and questioned if they can replicate that success. He also noted that while last season’s offense was solid, red zone issues persisted, but this year’s offense should improve, especially with Sorsby’s ability to run the ball. TUNE IN!

Cat Osterman, ESPN Analyst and Texas Volts GM, joined Big 12 Today to Discuss Big 12 Softball. On National Girls & Women in Sports Day, Cat Osterman highlighted how Athletes Unlimited gained national airtime during COVID on networks like ESPN and has continued to expand. She shared her admiration for women athletes like Cheryl Swoopes and Cynthia Cooper. Osterman expressed excitement about Texas Tech softball, praising head coach Gerry Glasco. She discussed how pitching has evolved since her playing days, noting increased variety and speed. Osterman also addressed recruiting changes in college softball, acknowledging some controversy—particularly with Texas Tech—but emphasized that the program is following the rules and investing in its growth. TUNE IN!

Eric Bailey, Oklahoma State Beat Writer for Tulsa world joined Big 12 Today to preview the matchup as Oklahoma State hosts BYU. He highlighted that this game is a key opportunity for Oklahoma State to earn a Quad 1 win. Bailey noted BYU will be motivated after recent losses to Kansas and Arizona. He emphasized the need for Oklahoma State to improve defensively, especially in clutch moments and against the three-point shot, despite some season-long progress. Bailey pointed out that home court advantage should benefit Oklahoma State, as they haven't lost back-to-back home games this season. He also mentioned that defending AJ Dybantsa will be a challenge. Finally, Bailey touched on football, mentioning that Oklahoma State’s new head coach, Eric Morris, will speak to the media today on National Signing Day. TUNE IN!

Mitch Harper, BYU Insider for KSL Sports, joined Big 12 Today to discuss the offseason for the BYU Cougars. Mitch pointed out that BYU has retained the majority of their Big 12 runner-up team, which bodes well for their upcoming season. He analyzed key positions of need that could help elevate the team to new heights. Focusing on defense, Mitch explained how BYU has prioritized improving their defensive unit for 2026, making it a central part of their offseason strategy. He credited Head Coach Kalani Sitake for establishing a strong culture at BYU, emphasizing a retention-based roster that values consistency and development. Mitch also broke down the wide receiver room, highlighting its importance for quarterback Bear Brachmier and how strengthening this position could be a significant factor in the team’s success next season. TUNE IN!

Anne O'Neil, ESPN TV Analyst and Iowa State Alum, joined Big 12 Today to discuss the latest on women's hoops in the Big 12. She emphasized the unpredictable nature of the league, noting that any team can win on any given night. Anne highlighted recent upsets, including Texas Tech's victory over TCU and West Virginia's win over Baylor. She then broke down Iowa State's current four-game winning streak, acknowledging the challenges the Cyclones have faced this season. She pointed out how injuries, particularly to Addy Brown, impacted Audi Crooks’ performance and credited Coach Bill Fennelly for guiding the team through adversity and maintaining their resilience. When asked about the top teams in the conference, Anne praised Baylor, Texas Tech, and TCU but specifically highlighted West Virginia for their toughness, jokingly nicknaming them "STRESS VIRGINIA" because of how intense and stressful games against them tend to be. Anne also discussed Texas Tech’s significant win over TCU, calling it a huge milestone for the Red Raiders’ program. Finally, she shared her optimism about the NCAA Tournament, believing that the Big 12 could send anywhere from 8 to 10 teams to March Madness, underscoring the strength and depth of the conference this season. TUNE IN!

Matt Tait, Managing Editor for R1S1 Sports' KU Site Wave the Wheat, joined Big 12 Today to recap Kansas Jayhawks' big win last night over the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Matt began by highlighting the team’s grit, pointing out how Kansas managed to rally after trailing by 10 points in the second half. He praised Darryn Peterson’s resilience, noting how he didn't perform well early but stepped up when the team needed him most. Matt also credited the Jayhawks’ defensive effort against JT Toppin, emphasizing how critical that was to the victory. Discussing fan sentiment, Matt acknowledged that some Kansas fans have expressed frustration with Darryn Peterson due to his nagging injuries. However, he urged fans to appreciate Peterson’s talent and accept his current situation, emphasizing the excitement of witnessing such a gifted player. Finally, Matt analyzed Kansas' prospects as a potential National Championship contender. While recognizing the team’s talent when healthy, he also addressed concerns about depth and whether Peterson’s injury issues could impact the team's NCAA Tournament run. TUNE IN!

Josh Furlong, Sports Director of KSL.com and Bear Writer covering Utah Athletics, appeared on Big 12 Today to discuss the Utah Utes' offseason. The key highlight was Morgan Scalley being named the new head coach. Changes to the offensive line raise questions about offensive impact, as this year's line will differ from last season’s notable unit. On defense, Karson Kaufusi and Pupu Sepulona are players looking to step into larger roles after not being ready to start last year. Re-signing Devon Dampier and Byrd Ficklin was considered crucial, especially with the new offensive coordinator, Kevin McGiven. Scalley’s focus on improving the wide receiver room addresses past criticisms faced by former head coach Kyle Whittingham. Additionally, a private equity deal is still in legal review but expected to be finalized later this month. Regarding the season outlook, Josh leans toward around 10 wins but notes that predictions are more reliable in February. TUNE IN!

Brian Thornton, VP of Men's Basketball for the Big 12, joined Big 12 Today to review the weekend on the hardcourt in the conference. He highlighted the standout performances from Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa, and Richie Saunders in the BYU/Kansas game, emphasizing how special Darryn Peterson is, despite ongoing cramping issues. Thornton also discussed UCF’s impressive victory over Texas Tech, calling them a legitimate tournament team, especially noting their wins against Texas Tech, Kansas, and Texas A&M. He praised UCF head coach Johnny Dawkins for how his team complements each other on the court. When comparing the Big 12 to the SEC and Big Ten, Thornton pointed out the conference’s top-heavy nature, highlighting programs like Arizona, Iowa State, Texas Tech, BYU, and Kansas. TUNE IN!