For the first time in program history, the Wildcats have been picked first in the Big 12 preseason poll. K-State narrowly edged out Iowa State and Baylor for the top spot when the poll was released Thursday. The Wildcats received seven votes for first place. The poll was voted on by the 16 head coaches within the Big 12.

Kansas State women's basketball was picked by league coaches to win the Big 12, and Wildcats center Ayoka Lee is preseason player of the year.

If there’s one thing about the first Big 12 women’s basketball preseason coaches poll to include Arizona, it should provide plenty of motivation to the newcomers to the league. All four former Pac-12 teams were picked to finish sixth or worse and only one player made the preseason all-conference list.