Megan: What if I told you the Big 12's toughest road to the title might not run through Kansas anymore? It runs through Ames, and we've got the receipts.
Steve: Bold. I like it. But let's see if the Cyclones can back it up.
Megan: You're locked into Beatline, the podcast that never misses a beat. I'm Megan, and as always, the sharpest hoops mind in the building, Steve.
Steve: Hey, Cyclone Nation. We're hitting the league-wide storylines today, and it's a big one.
Megan: Here's what's on the table: first, we're surveying the Big 12 battlefield — who's rising, who's falling, and what the transfer portal did to our rivals. Then we're stacking the Cyclones against that competition. And finally, we're looking at what all this means for our path to March.
Steve: And we're starting with a name that should send a chill down every Big 12 coach's spine: Milan Momcilovic is heading to Kentucky.
Megan: Wait, what? That's a twist. Let's dig in. Stick with us.
Megan: Alright Steve, let's get into the league. Big 12 is going to be a dogfight again, and the transfer portal just shook up the whole board.
Steve: No kidding. The headline that everyone's talking about is Milan Momcilovic, the top transfer in the country, deciding to suit up for Kentucky. That's a massive get for the SEC, but it also means a big-time scorer is leaving the Big 12.
Megan: So what does that do to our rivals? Who's actually loading up?
Steve: Well, you've got Texas moving into the top five in the Way-Too-Early Top 25. They're the ones making noise. And don't sleep on UCLA sneaking in — that's a non-conference threat, but it shows the league's strength.
Megan: And Kansas? They're always there, but are they still the bully on the block?
Steve: They're always in the mix, but the gap is closing. The projection article on every Big 12 team's floor and ceiling has Kansas with a high ceiling, but their floor is lower than people think. The league is deeper than it's ever been.
Megan: And what about the recruiting trail? That Beckham Black kid — he's the top overall recruit, right?
Steve: Yeah, Beckham Black is the #1 player regardless of class. He's a junior, so he's not coming this year, but the Big 12 is in the mix. That's a name to watch.
Megan: So the league is getting younger and more talented every year. That's a scary thought for the rest of the country.
Steve: Exactly. And that's what makes our next segment so important. How do the Cyclones stack up against all this?
Megan: Alright, so let's talk about our guys. We're sitting at 3rd in the Big 12, and we've got some serious question marks. Let's start with the elephant in the room — Killyan Toure.
Steve: Right. Toure had that shoulder surgery on Friday, and he's expected back in January. That's a big loss for the non-conference and the start of Big 12 play.
Megan: We talked yesterday about the point guard battle — that freshman is going to have to grow up fast. Do you think he can hold the fort?
Steve: I think he can. He's got the talent, and with Toure out, he's going to get all the reps. By the time January rolls around, he could be the real deal. We might even see a competition when Toure comes back.
Megan: That's a good problem to have. But what about the frontcourt and the wings? We were talking about depth yesterday.
Steve: Yeah, that's the bigger concern. We've got some pieces, but we need someone to step up as a consistent scorer. With Momcilovic gone to Kentucky, that's one less elite scorer in the league, but we still need to find our own.
Megan: So how do we stack up against Texas, who's now top five? They're looking loaded.
Steve: Texas is going to be tough, no doubt. But we've got a better defensive identity, and we've got a system that's proven. We're not going to out-talent anybody, but we can out-work them.
Megan: And what about Kansas? They're still Kansas.
Steve: They're always going to be in the hunt, but they have some question marks too. Their floor is lower than it's been in years. I think we can compete with them.
Megan: So you're saying we're a top-three team in this league, and we've got a real shot at the title?
Steve: I said it yesterday and I'll say it again: top three, NCAA Tournament, and I think we can make a run. This team has the pieces. We just need to stay healthy.
Megan: I love that confidence. Let's keep that energy going into our final segment. This is where it gets fun.
Megan: Okay, so we've looked at the rivals and how we stack up. But what do all these outside results actually mean for our path? Steve, break it down.
Steve: Alright, here's the thing. The transfer portal and recruiting rankings are great for hype, but they don't win games. What matters is how the Big 12 schedule shakes out, and right now, we're looking good.
Megan: How so?
Steve: Well, with Momcilovic leaving the league, that's one less elite scorer we have to game-plan for. And with Texas and Kansas having their own question marks, there's an opening for a team like us to sneak into that top spot.
Megan: But we've got our own question marks, especially with Toure out.
Steve: True, but we've got time. He'll be back in January, just in time for the stretch run. And by then, our freshman point guard will have a ton of experience. That could be a blessing in disguise.
Megan: So what's the bottom line? What does this all mean for March?
Steve: It means the Big 12 is wide open. We said we'd finish top three and make the tournament. I'm sticking with that. And with the way the league is shaping up, I think we can make some noise once we get there.
Megan: I love it. So to recap: rivals are reloading, we're sitting pretty, and the path to the title is wide open. But we've got to take care of business.
Steve: Exactly. And that starts with Southeast Missouri State. We made our predictions yesterday — I'm sticking with 38-10.
Megan: And I'm still calling Jaylin Noel for the first touchdown. That's a lock.
Megan: That's all we've got for today. We've got a big season ahead, and we'll be here every step of the way. Make sure to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast, and share it with your fellow Cyclone fans.
Steve: And follow us on social for all the latest updates. We'll catch you next time.
Megan: Until then, stay locked in, stay loud, and as always... Go Cyclones!