Puppies, perks and photos

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Today’s Field of 68 Daily is written by Mike Miller. Follow him on X.com/Twitter @mikemillerf68.

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1. Can anyone tame Houston in the Big 12?

Some media members made the case that Big 12 media was the biggest and best event of the preseason.

I think they just swayed people with puppies.

More than a few furry friends were used to charm players, coaches, and media members on Wednesday in Kansas City. That’s fun. I’d like to think it’s a throwback to when Houston entered the Big 12 and coach Kelvin Sampson said the league was “all German shepherds, man. Where's the shih tzus? Where are the Chihuahuas at? Oh, that's a Rottweiler. Oh, my God. That's a pit bull. This is a tough dog park, man."

Since that time, the Cougars are 34-4 in league play. Maybe everyone else really is a puppy? Anyway, the teams also talked a little basketball.

The only program to beat Houston in conference play last season was Texas Tech. It features the preseason POY and was picked to finish second in the league. But J.T. Toppin and crew have a different goal: “To win it all.” Coach Grant McCasland said his team’s “core belief” is there to put itself in position to win.

Still, winning on the road against Rottweilers or pit bulls? That’s no small thing. That lone loss Houston took last season? It was at home vs. Texas Tech.

“When you look at the road environment’s in our league, if you can find a way to get some on the road, you’ve done something crazy,” McCasland said.

More tidbits from media day:

• Kansas coach Bill Self said freshman Kohl Rosario will start Friday’s exhibition vs. Louisville. Self didn’t commit to the 6-6 re-classified wing as a regular-starter this season, but it’s quite the sign. (And also an indication that Rosario’s perimeter shooting is an asset.)

• BYU coach Kevin Young was thinking about Sampson’s dog park quote. He had to grow up quickly during conference play.

• Sampson’s squad may be the top dog in the Big 12, but he still thinks highly of Kansas. “We need Kansas to be great. That’s our bellcow.”

• Baylor turned over its entire roster this season, and coach Scott Drew said it was challenging, but he put his positive spin on it. “Glass half full, you get to coach a lot more individuals and have a chance to be a part of their lives.”

• That’s Drew’s approach to life, really. He’s always positive. Jalen Celestine played at Baylor last season and is now at Cincinnati. When asked about the 6-7’s wing’s prospects this season: “Jalen is someone that's a great young man, great teammate, and someone who cares about winning."

• You gotta hand it to Kansas State coach Jerome Tang. He’s confident with his new transfers.

• Kerr Kriisa’s entering his sixth season of college hoops, which included a couple at Arizona for Tommy Lloyd. That didn’t go unnoticed by Lloyd. “Jokes are easy with Kerr. I think he was playing when I was finishing my college career. Might have played against each other or something like that." Kriisa will play for Cincy this season after taking a medical redshirt last season.

• Kanye Clary can fill it up quickly, but Oklahoma State coach Steve Lutz said he’s looking to maximize Clary’s speed as well. “He played for Coach (Mike) Rhodes and Micah Shrewsberry and I knew he could score. I’ve been extremely bullish on guys who are really fast. I don’t know that we need him to score 15 points a game. If he can get the basketball in the right spots, we’re going to score a lot of points.”

• Arizona State brought in six international players for its roster this season. That was dictated by money, according to coach Bobby Hurley. “It was very expensive for American players. International players were happy to make a significant bump from where they were in Europe…get an education, and play in the best conference in the country.”

2. How can G League players be eligible for college?

News broke Monday that a G League player, London Johnson, committed to Louisville with the intention of playing in 2026. That didn’t sit well with Michigan State coach Tom Izzo, who said “it’s ridiculous. To me, it’s embarrassing.” He wasn’t alone, either. Bill Self and Kelvin Sampson both expressed disbelief about the state of recruiting.

So how can a player who’s played professionally in the U.S. for three seasons be on track to play college hoops?

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