Feb. 15, 2012

Texas A&M is unanimous choice to win Big 12

Texas A&M is the unanimous top team in the Big 12 Preseason Poll, in voting by the league’s head coaches and released by the conference office.

Thee Aggies received eight first-place votes and totaled 64 points. Coaches could not vote for their own team. TAMU, under head coach Rob Childress (right), claimed a share of the 2011 regular-season title and won its second straight Big 12 Tournament crown. The Aggies advanced to the College World Series for the fifth time.

Texas earned the other first-place vote and placed second with 56 points. The Longhorns tied with TAMU for the regular-season title a season ago and also reached the College World Series.

Oklahoma was third, followed by Baylor, Missouri, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Kansas State and Kansas.

The season begins on Friday, Feb. 17. Conference play starts one month later, during the weekend of March 16-18. The 2012 Big 12 Tournament will be at RedHawks Field in Oklahoma City from May 23-27.

2012 Big 12 Preseason Coaches Poll

Team, Points (First Place) (2011 Big 12, Overall Records)

1. Texas A&M, 64 (8) (19-8, 47-22)

2. Texas, 56 (1) (19-8, 49-19)

3. Oklahoma, 48 (14-11, 41-19)

4. Baylor, 42 (13-14, 31-28)

5. Missouri, 30 (11-15, 27-32)

6. Oklahoma State, 28 (14-12, 35-25)

7. Texas Tech, 27 (12-15, 33-25)

8. Kansas State, 20 (12-14, 36-25)

9. Kansas, 9 (9-18, 26-30)

(photo courtesy of TAMU Media Relations Office)