Key Insights from Big 12 Women’s Basketball Media Days 2025
The Big 12 Women’s Basketball Media Days just wrapped up in Kansas City, Mo. Coaches and a handful of players from all 16 teams showed up for some lively conversations about talent, strategy, and what’s coming up this season.
TCU’s riding high as the preseason favorite, thanks to their red-hot finish last year. Baylor, Oklahoma State, Iowa State, and West Virginia are all itching to knock them off, so the competition should be fierce.
The conference has seen a flurry of coaching changes, too, which adds a bit of mystery to the 2025-26 season. Let’s dig into the standout moments and what’s got people buzzing from media days—key players, new faces, and team chemistry all in the mix.
TCU: The Preseason Favorite
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TCU comes in with a target on their backs after winning 34 games last year. They grabbed both the Big 12 regular season and tournament titles, then stormed all the way to the NCAA Elite Eight.
Head coach Mark Campbell didn’t sit back, either. He worked the transfer portal hard and landed big names, including Olivia Miles from Notre Dame—she’s already in the national player of the year conversation.
Pressure and Privilege
Campbell doesn’t shy away from the pressure. He likes to quote Billie Jean King: *pressure is a privilege*.
He’s convinced this team is built for big moments and is ready to chase another championship.
Iowa State: Audi Crooks’ Stellar Performance
All eyes are on Iowa State’s center, Audi Crooks, as she heads into her junior year. She’s the preseason Big 12 player of the year for a reason—last season, she broke school records with 820 points and 329 made field goals.
This summer, Crooks played for Team USA in the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup in Santiago, Chile. They came home with a gold medal.
International Experience
Crooks called the experience life-changing and says it prepped her for what’s next. She played for Kara Lawson, who’s a legend at both Duke and Tennessee.
That stint taught her a lot about what she does well and where she needs work. She’s hoping it’ll give her an extra edge this season.
Texas Tech: A Do-or-Die Season
Texas Tech’s got a lot riding on this year. Senior guard Bailey Maupin called it a *do-or-die* season.
They’ve got nine seniors and a completely revamped coaching staff. Head coach Krista Gerlich is feeling the heat after a 19-18 finish last year and five straight seasons missing the NCAA Tournament.
They brought in Adrian Walters from North Carolina as associate head coach, hoping to shake things up.
Building on Late-Season Success
Gerlich knows they need to build on last year’s late push. She’s aiming for the NCAA Tournament, plain and simple.
The new staff is bringing fresh ideas and a different energy, so maybe this is the year things finally click.
Coaching Turnover Across the Conference
The Big 12’s seen a lot of new faces on the sidelines. Becky Burke replaced Adia Barnes at Arizona.
Molly Miller stepped in for Natasha Adair at Arizona State. Lee Cummard got promoted to head coach at BYU.
Matthew Mitchell’s back in college hoops, now leading Houston. Gavin Peterson’s taking on his first full year at Utah after stepping in mid-season last year.
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Fresh Faces and New Strategies
All these changes mean new perspectives and plenty of fresh strategies. Molly Miller joked that it feels like being *a freshman crashing the party*.
There’s definitely excitement, but you can sense a little nervous energy, too. That’s just how it goes with new leadership.
Veteran Leadership: Bill Fennelly at Iowa State
Amid all the turnover, Iowa State’s Bill Fennelly stands out as the steady hand. He’s starting his 31st season and has 800 wins under his belt.
Fennelly even joked about being around when Colorado left the conference, came back, and everything in between. The guy’s seen it all in Big 12 basketball.
Recruiting Success at Kansas
Kansas coach Brandon Schneider has made waves in recruiting. He landed five-star prospect S’Mya Nichols from Overland Park, Kan., and she’s now a junior and one of the league’s top players.
Schneider used Nichols’ star power to attract one of the best freshman classes Kansas has ever had, including another Overland Park standout, Jaliya Davis.
Nichols and Schneider have a close relationship—she even calls him her *buddy*. That kind of bond helps build a tight, supportive team, and honestly, it might just show up in the win column, too.
Conclusion
The Big 12 Women’s Basketball Media Days just wrapped up, and it looks like the season ahead could be wild. TCU comes in as the preseason favorite. Iowa State’s Audi Crooks seems ready for another big year.
Texas Tech faces a make-or-break season, and that’s got people talking. Coaching changes are everywhere, so expect some surprises and maybe a few new tricks on the court.
If you want more details or just want to dig deeper into the buzz, check out the full article on Heartland College Sports. There’s a lot more to the story.