Baylor takes over the top spot.
After a break in the rankings last week, it’s Monday morning, and it’s time to dissect the Big 12 men’s basketball landscape as we close out the third week.
The league’s hierarchy is really starting to take shape post-holiday tournaments, with some teams hopping to the forefront while others linger in the conference’s murky depths.
So without further ado, here’s how the Big 12 stacks up in our latest power rankings for this season:
The Big Dogs
- Baylor (6-0) – Climbing up from second, where they were a few weeks ago, the Bears roared through the NIT Tip-off, clinching wins over two Power 6 teams in Oregon State and Florida, which now makes three such victories, two of from the SEC (with a win earlier this season over Auburn). That’s some serious muscle flexing.
- Houston (7-0) – Steady at second, the Cougars remain undefeated with their sights set on more Power 6 prey in December.
- Kansas (5-1) – Slipping from the top after their tussle with Marquette, in which they looked pretty darn flat, the Jayhawks have shown some vulnerability but remain a force with a 2-1 record against ranked teams, with wins over Kentucky and Tennessee.
- Texas (5-1) – The Longhorns took a hit against defending champs UConn, but like Kansas, they’re standing their ground with the big boys.
- BYU (6-0) – The Cougars made some noise in Vegas, taking down Arizona State and NC State, and are eyeing a spot in the AP Top 25.
The Next Rung
6. Oklahoma (6-0) – Leaping up from the bottom of the conference, the Sooners have over-performed early, and now boast a win over a ranked USC and a Power 6 victory over Iowa.
7. TCU (5-0) – A drop that has nothing to do with how the Frogs have played (this may be TCU’s best team, ever), but rather has everything to do with who they’ve played. Our Horned Frogs stay strong at seventh. We’re still unbeaten and ready to climb.
8. Cincinnati (5-0) – The Bearcats hold steady, their perfect record intact.
9. Texas Tech (5-1) – Tech edges out over Iowa State with a win over Michigan.
10. Iowa State (5-2) – The Cyclones are swirling after a couple of losses to Virginia Tech and Texas A&M but have the chance to rebound against DePaul and Iowa, two Power 6 matchups.
11. Kansas State (4-2) – The Wildcats are no longer a big dog, joining the second echelon after a loss to Miami (FL). It hasn’t been the start Jerome Tang’s team was looking for to begin the season. They’re looking to prove their mettle with upcoming battles against Villanova, LSU, and Nebraska.
The Bottom of the Big 12
12. Oklahoma State (3-3) – Moving up in the rankings — all it took was a couple of blowouts over inferior opponents for the Cowboys.
13. West Virginia (3-3) – The Mountaineers are hanging in there despite stumbling against SMU and Virginia, and barely squeaking by Bellarmine.
14. UCF (4-2) – The Knights find themselves at the bottom of the conference after an unexpected defeat to Stetson.