Big 12 Today

Kansas Assistant Coach and Pitching Coach Brandon Scott joined Big 12 Today to discuss the upcoming Big 12 Championship for Kansas baseball. Coach Scott began by highlighting the excitement in Lawrence, especially since the team will be hosting a regional. He compared the energy typically seen at Allen Fieldhouse to the passion now evident in Kansas baseball. Coach Scott emphasized that a core value of Kansas Baseball is "be a good teammate," a principle instilled by Coach Fitzgerald from day one. He explained that this mindset has evolved into a culture, not just a saying. Coach Scott also highlighted the importance of recruiting from junior colleges and the transfer portal, which has been instrumental in building a program where players come to Kansas to pursue their dreams. Coach Scott talks about Arkansas and the challenges the Razorbacks will present, Coach Scott acknowledged Arkansas's strength but expressed confidence that Kansas will come out on top. TUNE IN!

Former NFL and Kansas State offensive tackle Barrett Brooks joined Big 12 Today to reflect on his career in both the NFL and at Kansas State, as well as share insights on the current Kansas State team. Brooks discussed what fans can expect from head coach Collin Klein and shared his perspective on how the Big 12 Conference has evolved since his playing days when it was known as the Big 8. He remarked, "I went to Kansas State before it was cool to go to Kansas State." Brooks recounted his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers under legendary head coach Bill Cowher and highlighted how playing for Coach Snyder at Kansas State was life-changing. He credited Coach Snyder with helping him become a man, emphasizing that back in his era—when NIL money wasn’t a factor—Snyder focused on developing better men and football players. Brooks also shared a personal story about a time he wanted to quit Kansas State football, but Coach Snyder refused to let him give up. TUNE IN!

Max Olson, ESPN's National College Football & Transfer Portal Reporter, joined Big 12 Today to discuss his recent article on Oklahoma State football and their comprehensive transfer overhaul. Oklahoma State has added 85 new players this offseason, prompting questions about the team's identity. Olson breaks down the narrative that Oklahoma State is merely "North Texas," emphasizing that the Cowboys are not the same team but still have the potential for instant success—highlighting Drew Mestemaker and Eric Morris as key factors. Olson analyzes the transfer portal class and evaluates the hit rates of teams from this offseason, providing insights into how teams are shaping up. He shares his thoughts on Brendan Sorsby, noting the possibility that Sorsby could see playing time this season, while also acknowledging the chance he might enter the NFL Supplemental Draft. Finally, Olson discusses whether the transfer portal has affected quarterback competitions, suggesting that programs prefer to enter the season with clear plans to succeed and minimize uncertainties. TUNE IN!

Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark joined Big 12 Today to discuss the present and future of the conference. He began by commenting on the RedBird Capital deal and its significance for the Big 12. Yormark also shared his stance on college football playoff expansion, advocating for a move from 12 to 24 teams, believing that many talented teams are being left out of the current CFP format. He expressed support for NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament expansion, viewing March Madness as a vital part of American sports and believing that expansion will benefit the second best basetball league in the world. Yormark highlighted the NFL Draft, noting the 38 Big 12 players drafted, and touched on spring sports, including the NCAA Softball Tournament and the Big 12 Baseball Tournament. TUNE IN!

West Virginia Baseball Head Coach Steve Sabins joined Big 12 Today to discuss his team's recent success. Sabins highlighted the importance of their defensive strategy, emphasizing how strategic athletes have contributed to numerous wins. He specifically credited Armani Guzman, one of the fastest players in baseball, describing him as a tremendous athlete. Sabins noted that Guzman didn't see much action during his sophomore year but seized opportunities with pinch hits during last season's Big 12 Tournament. His performance was outstanding, leading the regional, advancing the team to a Super Regional, and demonstrating his selflessness and elite gold glove defense at first base. Overall, Coach Sabins expressed confidence that his team has earned the right to host a regional. TUNE IN!

ESPN Analyst and Texas Volts GM Cat Osterman joined Big 12 Today to discuss the NCAA Softball Regionals. She highlighted the evolution of scouting compared to the old days and praised Texas Tech’s remarkable comeback victory over Ole Miss on Saturday. Osterman also analyzed the performances of Oklahoma State, UCF, and Arizona State, celebrating their wins in the Regionals. Additionally, she shared advice for Nijaree Canady after her challenging weekend, emphasizing the importance of having a short-term memory and staying calm under pressure. TUNE IN!

Kansas State MBB Head Coach Casey Alexander joined Big 12 Today to discuss his new role as the Wildcats' head coach. He began by sharing why this opportunity was perfect for him and his family. Coach Alexander reflected on his teams' historical success and how he's working to translate that to Kansas State with a new roster. He emphasized the importance of unselfishness and high basketball IQ when building his team. Coach Alexander also highlighted how the European style of play has transformed the game and contributed to its evolution. Regarding his team's playing style, he mentioned a focus on strong defense, primarily man-to-man, aiming to limit the opposition's quality shots. He stressed that winning consistently requires excellence on both ends of the floor. He credited former Belmont head coach Rick Byrd as a significant influence on his coaching philosophy. Outside of basketball, Coach Alexander enjoys playing golf and watching the Chicago Cubs with his family. TUNE IN!

Oklahoma State quarterback Drew Mestemaker joined Big 12 Today to share his journey to Oklahoma State. He began by discussing his upcoming weekend plans to visit Disneyland for the first time, expressing his excitement. Mestemaker reflected on his path to becoming a quarterback, highlighting his progression from a freshman B-team QB to the top quarterback at North Texas, and now at Oklahoma State. He credited Eric Morris for his development as a quarterback, along with RB Caleb Hawkins' contributions. Mestemaker addressed the significant jump in competition from the Group of 5 at North Texas to the Power Five conference in the Big 12. He also spoke about his relationship with quarterback Cam Ward and the development under Eric Morris’s coaching. Reflecting on his growth, Mestemaker discussed transitioning from playing safety to quarterback and vice versa. He shared his expectations for Oklahoma State’s upcoming season, expressing confidence in their potential to win the Big 12. While mentioning the possibility of being drafted next season—finding it exciting to see his name in mock drafts—his primary focus remains on this season. He emphasized that he will consider the NFL Draft when the time comes. Mestemaker concluded by explaining that his decision to join Oklahoma State was based on trust in his teammates and the relationships built along the way. TUNE IN!

Matt Babcock, NBA Draft Analyst for Babcock Hoops, joined Big 12 Today to discuss the NBA Combine. He began by breaking down the various events at the combine, including 5-on-5 practices and medical evaluations. Babcock addressed the ongoing debate over the top pick between AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson. When highlighting Big 12 players who have stood out at the combine, he credited Chris Cenac for his impressive workouts, describing him as a versatile developmental player capable of playing both the power forward and center positions. Babcock also analyzed some of the mid to late first-round prospects from the Big 12 projected to be selected in the upcoming draft. TUNE IN!

Ari and James highlight the top 5 Quarterbacks they believe will dominate the Big 12 this season. The guys provide detailed analysis and commentary on each player, explaining why they made their top 5 list. While some players overlap between their rankings, most selections differ, offering diverse perspectives. Tune in to Big 12 Radio to catch their top 5 Quarterbacks! TUNE IN!

Ari and James highlight the top 5 running backs they believe will dominate the Big 12 this season. The guys provide detailed analysis and commentary on each player, explaining why they made their top 5 list. While some players overlap between their rankings, most selections differ, offering diverse perspectives. Tune in to Big 12 Radio to catch their top 5 running backs! TUNE IN!

Ari and James highlight the top 5 wide receivers they believe will dominate the Big 12 this season. The hosts provide detailed analysis and commentary on each player, explaining why they made their top 5 list. While some players overlap between their rankings, most selections differ, offering diverse perspectives. Tune in to Big 12 Radio to catch their top 5 wide receivers! TUNE IN!

Cincinnati Men's Basketball Head Coach Jerrod Calhoun joined Big 12 Today to discuss his new role leading the Bearcats. He began by expressing that he is and has always been a Bearcat, sharing his excitement to return to Cincinnati. Calhoun credited Bob Huggins as a significant influence and emphasized his goal of restoring Cincinnati to a powerhouse status. He reflected on his coaching journey, highlighting his time at Fairmont State, where he learned to manage people and experiment with different strategies. He also pointed out that his experiences at Youngstown State and Utah State were instrumental in elevating his career. Despite his varied stops, Calhoun stated that Cincinnati has always been and remains his true home. Calhoun discussed his close relationship with Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla, noting that Mazzulla was his best man at his wedding and has helped him grow as a coach both professionally and personally. On the court, he praised Mazzulla's influence on his development. When asked about his teams' success in clutch situations, Coach Calhoun attributed it to situational basketball, emphasizing that he teaches his players to understand and excel in high-pressure moments. TUNE IN!

Gary Parrish, CBS Sports Columnist and TV Analyst, joined Big 12 Today to discuss the NCAA Tournament expansion. He expressed a negative view of the expansion, calling it a "negative," and indicated that he wasn't surprised by it given the longstanding narrative surrounding the topic. Parrish noted that the expansion is primarily driven by increased revenue for media networks and is closely tied to conference realignment. He explained that the expansion does not benefit mid-major conferences and discussed the strategic differences between playing big versus playing small, highlighting how teams are increasingly seeking to play big through transfers. Parrish emphasized the importance of continuity, noting that coaches aim to have clarity about their rosters by mid-season to retain key players and avoid losing them via transfers. He shared a humorous story involving his kids and their perception of Arizona guard Bryce James, drawing a parallel to the star power of Tyran Stokes. Finally, Parrish revealed that if he were the GM of his hometown Memphis Grizzlies, he would pick AJ Dybantsa first overall over Darryn Peterson.

Trey Wallace, Senior National College Sports Reporter for Outkick and Fox, joined Big 12 Today to discuss the latest developments regarding Brendan Sorsby. He reports that multiple states are investigating Sorsby's gambling activities. Wallace explains that Sorsby has retained attorney Jeffrey Kessler, who is working to build a case for Sorsby to play for Texas Tech this season. The NCAA is currently prohibited from investigating Sorsby, as he is seeking treatment for gambling at a specialized center. Wallace also discusses how Cincinnati may have known about Sorsby's betting while he was at Cincinnati, but they were unaware of any bets made during his time at Indiana. He elaborates on how different states are approaching the investigation, noting that rules regarding gambling vary and that privacy laws limit available information. Additionally, Wallace shares his thoughts on the potential expansion of the college football playoff to 24 teams. TUNE IN!

Matthew Postins, Big 12 Senior Columnist and Writer for Heartland College Sports, joined Big 12 Today to discuss the Redbird Capital deal with the conference. Postins explains that the private capital deal aims to enhance resources for member institutions, though some teams have chosen to decline the investment. He emphasizes that while the Big 12 may not surpass the SEC or Big Ten in revenue, the deal positions the conference to better drive income. Postins notes that the deal was designed to give member schools the flexibility to accept or decline. Additionally, he touches on softball, highlighting a potential Big 12 championship matchup between Oklahoma State and Texas Tech. TUNE IN!

Big 12 analyst and content creator Chancellor Johnson joined Big 12 Today to discuss his new series, "Film Don't Lie," a 2026 NBA Draft series. In the series, Johnson highlights Big 12 players projected to be drafted in the top 10, featuring direct insights from the players themselves. He is particularly high on AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, and Kingston Flemings Jr., with Johnson predicting Dybantsa will be the number one overall pick. TUNE IN!

Kansas Baseball Head Coach Dan Fitzgerald appeared on Big 12 Today to discuss the team's impressive season. Kansas is currently 37-11 overall and 20-4 in Big 12 play. Coach Fitzgerald highlighted the efforts of his players, especially noting their resilience with 24 come-from-behind victories this season. He reflected on the new additions to the team after losing several players last year and credited his team’s dedication for their success. Fitzgerald shared a memorable summer of 2004 when he coached in the Alaskan league, emphasizing how the midnight sun made that summer a unique experience. He also mentioned his background in English, noting that writing and editing have helped instill discipline in his coaching approach. The coach praised Kansas's passionate fanbase, especially the student section, which he credits with helping set the record for the best home game winning streak in Big 12 history. His main goal upon arriving in Lawrence was to build something special with Kansas baseball, a mission he passionately continues. He expressed his love for his family and his enthusiasm for winning, which motivates him daily. Fitzgerald reflected on the recent sweep of Kansas State and expressed respect for rival coach Pete Hughes, emphasizing the fun and intensity of the rivalry. He concluded by acknowledging the challenges ahead but emphasized the importance of focusing on controllable factors like teamwork, staff collaboration, and unity within the program. TUNE IN!

Ben Portnoy, College Sports Reporter for SBJ, joined Big 12 Today to discuss the league's recent private capital deal with RedBird Capital, highlighting its significance in the ongoing growth of the Big 12. He clarified that this is a private capital deal, not a private equity transaction. Portnoy also examined the expanding Amazon Prime partnership with Duke, noting how it broadens sports viewership and may inspire similar deals across other teams and leagues. Additionally, he discussed the Learfield sale to the PE firm TPG, emphasizing how this move positions Learfield for a new long-term era. TUNE IN!

Lindsay Schnell, senior writer covering college basketball for The Athletic, joins Big 12 Today to break down her latest feature on Tyran Stokes—the No. 1 prospect in the 2026 class and a future Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball star. Schnell dives into Stokes’ elite talent, physical presence, and evolving mindset, while sharing how her perspective on the 6-foot-7, 230-pound Louisville native has shifted over time. She details why he’s viewed as a true program-changing player, his ability to attack the rim, and the journey that’s made him one of the most talked-about young players in the country. Already a three-time gold medalist with a growing national profile, Stokes has long been on the radar of coaches and scouts as a potential 2027 lottery pick. Schnell also explores his background, family influence, and what Kansas fans can expect when he arrives in Lawrence.