These are the best and worst of times for the Big 12. On one hand, the league reliably rates near or at the top of Division I in terms of top-to-bottom statistical strength. On the other hand, the conference hasn't won a national title since Kansas cut the nets down in 2008, and the Big 12 has put just two teams into the Final Four in the eight seasons since that championship: KU in 2012 and Oklahoma the past season.
Expect the first part of that dichotomy to hold true in 2016-17. The Big 12 will again be No. 1 in the nation in statistical strength or very close to it. As for postseason success, well, that might come down to the performance of a certain team in Lawrence, Kansas -- again.
Here's how I see the Big 12 panning out in 2016-17, from top to bottom: