Despite the Big 12 breakup scare this summer, it still provides some of the best conference competition in the country. Men's golf is no exception. The top four Big 12 teams are ranked in the top 10 in the nation. Here are the basics on K-State and the upper half of the league.

Kansas State: The Wildcats lose several experienced players, but two to watch this season are sophomore Curtis Yonke and senior Jason Schulte. Yonke started slowly but developed well in the spring season, competing in most events. At the Wolf Pack Classic, he recorded a 36-hole best score of 2-over-par 218, helping the team to a top-five finish. K-State opens the season Sept. 11 in Zionsville, Ind., with Iowa State, then travels to Lawrence to compete in the Kansas Invitational.

Oklahoma State: Ranked No. 1 heading into this season, the defending Big 12 Champion Cowboys provide tough competition again this year as they return a number of players that played at least 35 rounds last season. OSU won the conference championship for a fourth straight time last season, and it was the team's eighth overall. Juniors Peter Uihlein and Morgan Hoffman look to continue their momentum; Uihlein placed in first place three times last season, and Hoffman had a second-place finish at the Ping/Golfweek Invitational. The Cowboys open up their season Sept. 17 at the Fighting Illini Invitational in Chicago.

Texas A&M: Andres Pavan will not be returning to the Aggies, but junior Jordan Russell looks to continue the momentum after averaging a 1-under-par 71 in five tournaments last season. He and sophomore Cameron Peck also had second-place finishes. No. 3 Texas A&M opens its season on Sept. 9 in Tanagura, Japan, for the Topy Cup.

Texas: The No. 8 Longhorns return with all but one player from last season. Junior Dylan Frittelli averaged a score of 1-under-par 71 last year in 13 events with a best round score of 67 in Puerto Rico. Dallas native and sophomore Cody Gribble averaged a 72 his freshman year.

Texas Tech: Sports Illustrated recognized the Red Raiders' graduated senior Chris Ward in its Faces in the Crowd section this summer. The Big 12 individual champion helped lead the team to its best national finish since 1959 and gave the team its first berth in NCAA match play. However, the team will have to move on without him this season. The three seniors on this years squad are from Sweden, Colombia and Australia, bringing their "A" game to the states. Head coach Greg Sands is recognized as one of the top young coaches in the country. The 10th-ranked team opens the season in Rocky Face, Ga., for the Carpet Capital Collegiate Classic beginning Sept. 10.