In head-to-head play I'd agree we might have an edge on KSU. However, the title won't be totally decided on two games between ISU and KSU so the coaches voting would be looking at the entire league. The vote was essentially a tie with a nod to Baylor as the third competitor. If Texas and Sooners were still here Texas would have been the pick and it would be a four-way scrum for 2nd place votes.
ISU got better votes in the national polls from the AP reporters and the coaches poll is coaches that maybe saw ISU and KSU a couple of times. The pre-seasons polls are a combo popularity contest and acknowledgement of what happened last year adjusted with player gains and loses.
Me, setting aside bias, it really is a pick'em. I'll be pretty disappointed if we don't take a couple of titles before Crooks graduates. There's no "But Baylor's a Final Four team" excuse. It's a perfect storm with us being as good or better than we have ever been in a period where the league is not top heavy. There is no UConn, SC, USC, UCLA, or Texas standing in the way. Wildcard is Lee staying healthy. Given her history that might not be a good beat but I just can't go with saying "She'll get injured". If Lee doesn't stay healthy than we will end up big favorites. I've also never been as impressed with their guards as the hoops media has been. However, they are seniors and do play good defense and gave Iowa fits the last few times they played. They also added another really good senior guard via the portal, ACC unanimous POY, Temira Poindexter. So, KSU will have five starters who are seniors with Poindexter an upgrade over graduating Gabby Gregory.
If anyone's interested, here's a Big 12 preview with Jamie Steyer Johnson. It's WAY too long at 1:48 for me to sit through in its entirety but the ISU/KSU/Baylor stuff is at the beginning if you want to peruse that part.
