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Big 12 Basketball: 5 Way-Too-Early Bold Predictions for 2021-22

By John Scimeca

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 03: Adam Flagler #10 of the Baylor Bears reacts in the second half against the Houston Cougars during the 2021 NCAA Final Four semifinal at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 03, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 03: Adam Flagler #10 of the Baylor Bears reacts in the second half against the Houston Cougars during the 2021 NCAA Final Four semifinal at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 03, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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Mac McClung led the Red Raiders to the NCAA Tournament’s second round in his first season with the team. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Mac McClung led the Red Raiders to the NCAA Tournament’s second round in his first season with the team. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

3. Mac McClung wins Player of the Year

Texas Tech’s Mac McClung is fresh off his first season in Lubbock after transferring from Georgetown. The 6-foot-2 junior was unanimously named the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year last month, and he’ll be back at the next end-of-season awards ceremony to win Big 12 Player of the Year.

OSU’s Cade Cunningham became just the fourth freshman to win both Big 12 Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year (after Marcus Smart, Michael Beasley, and Kevin Durant). McClung was named to the second all-conference team.

McClung averaged 17.0 points per game last season for the Red Raiders in conference games only, the fourth-highest mark in the league. He can get hot from outside, as evidenced by an earlier 30-point performance against West Virginia, and he doesn’t shy away from contact when driving to the basket. He finished the season averaging 15.5 points and 2.1 assists per game.

Two other factors point to McClung’s strong candidacy for 2021-22 Player of the Year honors: Texas Tech will sorely need his leadership after the departure of former head coach Chris Beard, and several members of last season’s All-Big 12 First Team are moving on to the NBA. If the Gate City, Va. native can step up early on for the Red Raiders, look Player of the Year numbers to follow.

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