Really? 12th? Sure the team is most likely going to be a team full of no-names and we lost the best college player ever to play the game, but what the hell? We all know we're not going to steal a bye in the big 12 tourney, but this team still has more talent than the bottom feeders from last year.

I predict a top-8 finish.

As a resident of Hutchinson, I can tell you that K-State has just inherited another LUIS COLON!  Should I save the cigars for the next Michael Beasley?  Or is this the best we're ever going to do again?

I second your prediction, TB!  And, this team does have more talent than the bottom feeders from LAST year.  Unfortunately, I think all those teams will be much improved.  I'd like to know who is going to be worse off than us next year.  In my opinion - no one.

bailey, when I looked at Herrera's numbers, I couldn't help but think they scream Luis Colon.  But I heard he was hurt earlier this year, so I'm hoping that hampered his play.  Plus, juco ball is very guard-oriented, so maybe he will be able to show off his skill set against bigger, slower players.  I just hope this doesn't cost us a chance at a player like Buchi Awaji, Montrell McDonald, or Isaac Sosa.

As for the prediction, let me first say that anything is possible.  With that out of the way, a nine-spot drop in the standings would be incredible.  Let's take a look at the rest of the teams in the conference:

KU: Will lose at least four of its starters, and five if Chalmers stays in the draft.  Also loses two of its top three subs in Kaun and Stewart.
Texas: Lost D.J. Augustin and possibly A.J. Abrams.  Augustin was worth a whole lot more than his points and assists; he was the "straw that stirred the drink" as someone put it.
OU: On paper the strongest returning team with Blake and Taylor Griffin, Tony Crocker, and Austin Johnson back.  But they do lose Longar Longar and David Godbold.  Will be interesting to see how Juan Patillo and Willie Warran adjust to Big 12 ball.
Probability they gain 1.0 games on us: High
BU: Another fairly strong returning team, only losing Aaron Bruce and Mark Shepherd.  Sounds like they have some pretty good recruits, too.
Probability they gain 1.0 games on us: High
TAMU: Lose two huge cogs in Dominique Kirk and Joseph Jones, and a solid role player in Beau Muhlbach.  And if people still question Frank Martin's coaching abilities (and they do), I still consider Turgeon's abilities an open question.
Probability they gain 2.0 games on us: Medium
NU: Lose Aleks Maric and it sounds like Jay-R Strowbridge and Cookie Miller are transferring.  That's two starters and a 19-mpg player off a team that finished below .500 in conference.
Probability they gain 3.0 games on us: Low
TTU: A first-year coach and a team that loses 1.5 starters (Martin Zeno and Charlie Burgess) and Esmir Rizvic (13 mpg).  Not to mention, we don't have to wander into the desert to play them next year.
Probability they gain 3.0 games on us: Low
OSU: Travis Ford has a decent resume, but it's still his first year (ask Billy Gillispie how that can go).  They return everybody but Marcus Dove, and he was only the conference's defensive player of the year.  Tyler Hatch graduates, too, and he was a BOTC All-Hair team nominee.
Probability they gain 3.0 games on us: Low
MU: Losing players from last year's squad may be addition via subtraction for Mizzou, but only time will tell.  They don't really lose anyone to graduation, but Leo Lyons and DeMarre Carroll have decided to test the NBA Draft waters for some reason.
Probability they gain 4.0 games on us: Is there something between slim-and-none?
ISU: This team loses Rahshon Clark and Jiri Hubalek and retains Gregg McDermott as coach.
Probability they gain 6.0 games on us: We are approaching absolute zero
CU: Only lost its best player in Richard Roby, not to mention Marcus Hall and Marcus King-Stockton.  That's 2.5 starters, essentially.  Jeff Bzdelik is probably a good coach, but if CU climbs out of the cellar next year, I'll be amazed.
Probability they gain 7.0 games on us: None