Big 12 coaches pick Texas women’s basketball team to win conference

For the first time since the Jody Conradt era, Texas has been picked to win the Big 12 women’s basketball title.

The Longhorns edged Baylor in a vote of league coaches, with four teams receiving first-place votes. The Bears have won or shared the last four Big 12 titles.

The Longhorns, coached by Karen Aston, return four starters from a team that finished third in the Big 12 and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Texas received five first-place votes for a total of 73 points. Baylor was close behind with two first-place votes and 71 points.

West Virginia also received two first-place votes and placed third with 66 points. The Mountaineers tied with Baylor for the regular season title last year, their first as a Big 12 member.

Oklahoma State was fourth in the voting, and Oklahoma was fifth.

“Our league is full of great teams and great coaches, and we are young and a bit of a mystery to everyone I am sure,” Oklahoma coach Sherri Coale said.

Kansas was eighth in the voting, and Kansas State was ninth.

The 2014-15 season gets underway on Nov. 14 with a full slate of nonconference games. League action begins on Jan. 3.

This story was originally published October 8, 2014 at 11:36 PM with the headline "Big 12 coaches pick Texas women’s basketball team to win conference."