Big 12 Basketball Power Rankings: We Might Be Bad

It’s still early in the season, but we’ve probably seen enough of these teams to rank them. College basketball has been all over the place this season, with top teams losing to mediocre teams left and right, so this list could be completely different by the end of the week.

1. Kansas (9-1)

The chaos in College Basketball that has been caused from four #1 ranked teams losing already this season has led to Kansas being ranked as the top team in the AP Poll. This, by default, makes them the top team in our power rankings. Kansas lacks any signature wins but has the chance for one against Villanova coming up.

This week: (12/21 @ Villanova)

2. Baylor (8-1)

After an early season loss to Washington, the Bears have picked up key wins over Villanova, Arizona, and Butler. Their schedule softens up before they start the Big 12 season against Texas. A former top role player, Tristan Clark is still recovering from knee surgery but has slowly been coming back to form.

This week: (12/18 vs UT Martin)

3. Texas Tech (6-3)

The reigning national runner-up have had an interesting start to their (hangover) season. The Red Raiders lost three games in a row to Iowa, Creighton, and Depaul before beating top ranked Louisville. Chris Beard has found his go-to guy and replacement for Jarrett Culver in Jahmi’us Ramsey, a true freshman that is averaging 17.2 points per game. Tech’s win over Louisville is the best win of any Big 12 team this season and because of recency bias, I probably have them ranked too high.

This week: (12/21 vs Rio Grande Valley)

4. West Virginia (9-1)

The Mountaineers appear to be back to competing after a last place finish in the Big 12 last season. Their one loss came last week on the road at St. Johns and they still lack a signature win. However, the Mountaineers two wins over Northern Iowa and Wichita State have turned into quality wins and are looking better and better everyday.

This week: (12/21 vs Youngstown State)

5. Texas (9-1)

In Shaka Smart’s career defining year, the Longhorns have gotten out to a solid start, losing just one game to Georgetown. So far in the preseason, they’ve won at Purdue and beat California and Texas A&M on a neutral site. Much like West Virginia, they’ve been solid to start the season but their lack of huge wins is what is keeping them in the middle of the Big 12.

This week: (12/21 @ Providence)

6. Oklahoma State (8-2)

The Cowboys have played their last five games against Power 5 opponents and have gone 3-2 against them. Back-to-back dominating performances that led to a combined score 164- 109 over Syracuse and Ole Miss to go along with a road win against Houston has Oklahoma State looking awfully competitive. However, back-to-back losses to Georgetown and Wichita State in a blowout is what’s keeping them down in the rankings.

This week: (12/21 vs Minnesota)

7. Oklahoma (7-3)

Oklahoma has played a number of future bubble teams already this season and has picked up wins over Minnesota, Oregon State, and Missouri. Junior, Austin Reeves played a big part in all of those wins, as he’s upped his scoring by nine points from last season. However, a loss against Stanford and back-to-back losses against Wichita State and Creighton has them sliding towards the bottom.

This week: (12/21 vs UCF)

8. TCU (8-2)

Jamie Dixon’s squad doesn’t have any bad losses but they don’t have any quality wins. They are four points from being undefeated, granted those losses were to Clemson and USC, none of which are going to be tournament teams. Outside of Desmond Bane, TCU is fairly unknown and that’s why they are so low. They do have a chance to pick up a huge win in their next game against Xavier.

This week: (12/22 vs Xavier)

9. Iowa State (6-4)

It’s been a disappointing season for the Cyclones. After picking up a huge home win over Seton Hall, they lost to Iowa in Hilton Coliseum for the first time since 2003. The Cyclones have also suffered losses to Oregon State, Michigan, and Seton Hall, none of which are bad losses but going 1-4 in their five biggest games is a cause for disappointment. Tyrese Haliburton and George Conditt aren’t disappointing, as both players are playing their way into NBA Draft talk.

This week: (12/22 vs Purdue Fort Wayne)

10. Kansas State (6-4)

K-State has been awful without Barry Brown and Dean Wade, losing to Bradley, Mississippi State, Marquette, and Pitt. They are scoring just 66.9 points per game which ranks dead last in the Big 12. Xavier Sneed and Carter Diarra is a solid foundation, but Bruce Weber has his work cut out for him.

This week: (12/21 vs Saint Louis)