When the 2024-25 college basketball season started, Big 12 coaches were touting the conference as the deepest in the country.

Since the NCAA tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985 — its modern format — only five of 39 national champions were unranked to start the season.

Aday Mara has also been a season-changer for Mick Cronin. In his past five games, Mara is averaging 11.8 points, 5.8 rebounds ...