As we enter February, it’s finally time to start tracking how the Big 12 Conference race is shaping up.

In Case You Missed It

The Playas

The Kansas Jayhawks lost their season opener to the #11 Indiana Hoosiers in the Armed Forces Classic in overtime, 103-99. They would go on to win their next 18 games before suffering their first conference defeat at #18 West Virginia last Tuesday. The Jayhawks are, not surprisingly, tied with Baylor at the top of the standings.

The Bears also had a solid start to the season, winning their first 15 games before also losing to the Mountaineers in Morgantown on January 10^th. That remains their only loss.

Although West Virginia is the only Big 12 team to beat Kansas and Baylor, the Mountaineers have disappointing losses to Texas Tech, Oklahoma, and Kansas State as well as a non-conference loss to Temple back in late November.

The Wannabes

Even though Iowa State, K-State, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, and TCU all had respectable non-conference results, you may have forgotten that Oklahoma State started the year 10-2 with their only two losses coming to North Carolina (107-75) on a neutral court and at Maryland (71-70). They even managed a few impressive wins during that run with victories over Georgetown and Wichita State. Six straight losses to Big 12 members was probably not the start they expected come January.

Iowa State, on the other hand, had a head-scratching outcome in Iowa City and two heartbreaking losses to teams currently in the AP Top 15 (#1Gonzaga, #14 Cincinnati).

Since entering conference play, however, the Cyclones are 5-3 with a win on the road against Oklahoma State who occupies the bottom of this segmented group at 2-6.

The Haters

Oklahoma (8-12) and Texas (8-13) are going through some tough times. I’m sure they don’t want your sympathy even if you wanted to give it. I am certain neither will be down for long.

Last Week

Monday, January 23^rd

TCU 76 – Oklahoma State 89

Oklahoma 83 – Texas 84

Tuesday, January 24^th

#2 Kansas 69 - #18 West Virginia 85

Kansas State 65 – Iowa State 70

Wednesday, January 25^th

Texas Tech 61 – #5 Baylor 65

Saturday, January 28^th (Big 12/SEC Challenge)

Texas A&M 77 - #18 West Virginia 81

#25 Florida 84 – Oklahoma 52

Kansas State 58 – Tennessee 70

LSU 64 – Texas Tech 77

Texas 57 – Georgia 59

Arkansas 71 – Oklahoma State 99

Iowa State 78 – Vanderbilt 84

#5 Baylor 78 – Ole Miss 75

Auburn 88 – TCU 80

#2 Kansas 79 – #4 Kentucky 73

Conferences tied, 5-5

Monday, January 30^th

Oklahoma State 68 – Oklahoma 66

The Week Ahead

Tuesday, January 31^st

#7 West Virginia @ Iowa State – 8:00 PM ESPN2

Wednesday, February 1^st

TCU @ K-State – 6:30 PM, ESPNN

Texas Tech @ Texas – 8:00 PM, ESPNU

#2 Baylor @ #3 Kansas – 8:00 PM, ESPN2

Saturday, February 4^th

Texas @ TCU – 12:00 PM, ESPNN

Iowa State @ #3 Kansas – 1:00 PM, ESPN

Kansas State @ #2 Baylor – 2:00 PM, ESPNN

Oklahoma State @ #7 West Virginia – 4:00 PM, ESPNU

Oklahoma @ Texas Tech – 6:00 PM, ESPNU