Jan. 2: Big 12 Men’s Basketball Power Rankings

With the first round of Big 12 matchups happening over the weekend, it’s time to take a look at where the teams stand in the conference.

10. Oklahoma State Cowboys (8-5, 0-1)

Oklahoma State started conference play with the toughest task in the conference, taking on the Kansas Jayhawks at Allen Fieldhouse. The first half went the way almost no one saw coming, with the Cowboys taking a 15 point lead into the break. The second half did go the way people expected though, with Oklahoma State being held to only 22 points and seeing their lead disappear by the under 12 media timeout. The rest of the game was a back and forth affair, with Oklahoma State finally being bested by two points. With no notable out of conference wins, a close loss still puts the Cowboys at last in the conference. 

9. Texas Tech Red Raiders (10-3, 0-1) 

Texas Tech also went on the road for their first game of conference play, taking on TCU in Fort Worth. The Red Raiders looked poised to start off conference play with an upset victory on the road against No. 18 TCU, taking an 11 point lead into halftime. Things would fall apart for Texas Tech in the second half, as they scored just 24 points and fell to TCU by six points, letting a rare opportunity for a road win in the Big 12 slip away from them. 

8. Oklahoma Sooners (9-4, 0-1)

Oklahoma hosted No. 6 Texas to start their conference play, coming off a big win over Florida. The Sooners stuck with Texas throughout the entire game, led by Big 12 co-player of the week Grant Sherfield and took a four point lead into halftime. Oklahoma would keep battling in the second half, and took a three point lead with just over two minutes remaining in the game on a Sherfield jumper, but late game offense was a struggle for the Sooners who ultimately fell to the No. 6 team in the country 70-69. 

7. Baylor Bears (10-3, 0-1)

The No. 12 team in the country traveled to Ames looking to prove they are one of the top teams in the nation. A close first half saw the Bears down three to start the second half, and then things fell apart. Baylor quickly fell down 11 early in the second half, and despite getting the lead back to three, never led in the second half going down as many as 18. Baylor’s win over Gonzaga in out of conference play keeps them out of the bottom, but losing by 15 in their opener isn’t what was expected from the Bears.

6. West Virginia Mountaineers (10-3, 0-1)

West Virginia went to Manhattan to take on Kansas State to start their conference play. The Mountaineers dominated the first half from start to finish, holding the Wildcats to only 21 first half points, and held an 11 point lead at halftime. The defense would fall apart in the second half, allowing 45 points. West Virginia found themselves down three with 13 seconds left to play, when an offensive rebound led to a Kedrian Johnson three to force overtime. West Virginia allowed a 6-0 run to start the extra period, and found themselves unable to claw back from the deficit again. 

5. TCU Horned Frogs (12-1, 1-0)

No. 18 TCU began conference play at home looking to make a point that they deserve to be talked about as one of the best teams in the nation. In the first half, TCU did not look like one of those teams. Going into halftime down 11 at home to one of the weaker teams in the conference is not what they wanted. However, in the second half TCU definitely looked like one of the top teams in the country. Scoring 41 points and only allowing 24 is what many were expecting to see throughout the whole game from the Horned Frogs. Despite only shooting 2-14 from three point range, TCU was able to complete the comeback and get a win to start conference play. 

4. Kansas State Wildcats (12-1, 1-0)

Kansas State was another team looking to make a point to start conference play. Despite only one loss in out of conference play, the Wildcats came into conference play unranked. They got the chance to host freshly ranked West Virginia to make their point. In the first half, Kansas State looked like a team that would struggle to compete in conference play. Scoring only 21 points at home in the half and looking at a double digit lead. They were able to regain themselves in the second half, scoring 45 points and holding a 3 point with 13 seconds left. An offensive rebound and a three by Kedrian Johnson sent the game to overtime, where momentum was against the Wildcats. However, they were unfazed and quickly took control of the overtime period and got a win to start conference play over a ranked opponent. 

3. Texas Longhorns (12-1, 1-0)

Despite coming into conference play No. 6 in the country, Texas still had a lot to prove being without their head coach and on the road. A hard fought victory that came down to the final play against Oklahoma isn’t what they wanted before the game, but road wins in the Big 12 are hard to come by, especially without your head coach. Texas was also able to do it while almost being doubled up on made three pointers by Oklahoma, making only five to Oklahoma’s nine. 

2.Kansas Jayhawks (12-1, 1-0)

Kansas was the highest ranked Big 12 team coming conference play, at No. 4. They had blowout wins over nearly all of their opponents, and their sole loss came to No. 7 Tennessee. They got an ideal matchup to start conference play, at home against Oklahoma State, who was expected to be at the bottom of the Big 12. Kansas passed their opening test, but not with flying colors. The Jayhawks had a first half almost no one saw coming, being down 15 points at halftime, and giving up 45 points. The second half was the Kansas that everyone expected to see, allowing only 22 points and quickly killing Oklahoma State’s double digit lead. A close win over an inferior opponent is still a win, but Kansas will not be satisfied with their performance in their first game.

1. Iowa State Cyclones (10-2, 1-0)

Iowa State was handed a chance to start off conference play strong, hosting No. 12 Baylor. Iowa State took their chance better than anyone could have expected. A small halftime lead turned into a blowout over one of the best teams in the country. The Cyclones made 10 threes, at a 43% clip. They also held Baylor to just 37% shooting from the floor and 22% from three. Iowa State had an up and down out of conference portion of their season, with wins over UNC and Villanova, but blowout losses to Iowa and UCONN. Iowa State will need to find the consistency from their wins over Baylor and Villanova to stay atop the conference.