Big 12 basketball identity changes without Buddy Hield, Georges Niang, Perry Ellis

Big 12 men’s basketball will somehow carry on without Buddy Hield, Georges Niang and Perry Ellis

Three of the league’s most productive players competed through their senior seasons. Hield led Oklahoma to a Final Four and finished as the Big 12’s career scoring leader with 2,291 points.

Niang helped Iowa State to NCAA Tournament appearances in all four years and finished as the fourth-leading scorer at 2,228.

Ellis became the fourth Kansas player to finish in the top 12 in scoring and rebounding.

“You lost a lot of valuable members of teams, some of the greatest players in the history of the Big 12,” Kansas State coach Bruce Weber said.

The losses have changed the Big 12’s identity. It’s not a veteran league, but something of an unknown. Except in one regard, said Baylor coach Scott Drew.

“I can’t remember a year more competitive two through 10,” Drew said. “I think Kansas is the clear favorite, but other than that it’s a crapshoot.”

This story was originally published October 25, 2016 at 6:34 PM with the headline "Big 12 basketball identity changes without Buddy Hield, Georges Niang, Perry Ellis."