Big 12 MBB Power Rankings — Feb. 5

10. Oklahoma Sooners (12-11, 2-8)

After starting conference play 2-3, Oklahoma has dropped five straight conference games. They lost their two games this week to Oklahoma State and West Virginia by a combined 42 points, and trailed by double digits for the majority of both games. Dating back a little further, the Sooners have lost four of their last five Big 12 games by double digits. The Sooners are easily playing the worst basketball of any team in the Big 12. 

9. Texas Tech Red Raiders (12-11, 1-9)

After starting Big 12 play with eight straight losses, Texas Tech appeared to be headed for a ninth straight loss. Down by 22 to Iowa State in the second half, the Red Raiders looked to continue being the doormat of the conference. That was until they stormed back to force overtime, where they eventually beat Iowa State 80-77 to earn their first conference win. They would not be able to keep the momentum going though, losing by 27 to Baylor this weekend, where they gave up 51 second half points to keep them last in the conference.

8. West Virginia Mountaineers (14-9, 3-7)

West Virginia started Big 12 play 0-5, and looked to be dead in the water. Since then, the Mountaineers have won four of their last six, including arguably their best conference win this season, beating Oklahoma by 32 points on Saturday. West Virginia did miss a big chance during the week though, taking on a depleted TCU team who was missing their best player and earn a coveted Big 12 road win. WVU failed to take the opportunity though, losing 76-72.

7. TCU Horned Frogs (17-6, 6-4)

TCU had a rough time in the Big 12-SEC showdown, not only losing their game against Mississippi State, but also losing their best player Mike Miles for what will likely be a few weeks. They were able to hold off West Virginia during the mid-week to keep themselves afloat, but were unable to hold off Oklahoma State on the road on Saturday, despite a second half comeback attempt. TCU’s next three games are all against ranked opponents, and with Miles likely out for all three, it will be a struggle to keep themselves above water.

6. Oklahoma State Cowboys (14-9, 5-5)

Oklahoma State got two big wins this week to bring themselves to .500 in conference play. They thoroughly dominated their rivals Oklahoma on the road on Wednesday, where despite a 33-12 free throw advantage for the Sooners, Oklahoma State held them to just 34% shooting from the field and led by double digits most of the way. The Cowboys were able to take advantage of the depleted TCU team on Saturday, leading by 14 at the half and stifling a second half comeback from the Horned Frogs to keep their momentum going with a 79-73 victory.

5. Kansas State Wildcats (18-5, 6-4)

Kansas State had a murderer’s row, even for the Big 12 standards this week. They faced both Kansas on the road, and then Texas at home. The Wildcats had a chance to prove they belonged with the best of the best in the Big 12, but couldn’t quite get it done dropping both games. Kansas was able to control the game from start to finish against the Wildcats, but Saturday’s game against Texas was a much different affair. Kansas State held an 11 point halftime lead, and looked to be in control. But Texas’ offense heated up in the second half, and were able to finish off a comeback despite Kansas State having multiple chances at the end of the game to win or force overtime.

4.  Baylor Bears (17-6, 6-4)

After a slow start, Baylor started to look the part of the elite team that everyone expected from them. Coming into this week the Bears had won six straight and had two Texas state rivals on the horizon. Baylor’s win streak was snapped on Monday against the Texas Longhorns on the road, in a game that was close from start to finish and saw Baylor miss a game tying three in the final seconds. They got a long break, not playing until Saturday where they took on Texas Tech. The first half was a competitive affair, with Baylor having a four point lead at the break, but they would break the game open in the second half, scoring 51 points and getting a 27 point victory over the Red Raiders.

3. Kansas Jayhawks (18-5, 6-4) 

The Jayhawks did a rare thing leading up to this week’s games, which was dropping three straight conference games. Facing their in-state rivals at home could have seen Kansas fall even further, but they were able to get it together and score 90 points, en route to a 90-78 win to get them back on the usual winning side of things. Kansas’ winning ways would not last though, as they ran into some Hinton magic against Iowa State who held the Jayhawks to just 53 points on Saturday, including a 21 point first half which was their lowest scoring half of the season. The Jayhawks thought they had figured out their woes, but maybe they haven’t.

2. Iowa State Cyclones (16-6, 7-3)

Iowa State had a lowly start to their week, blowing a 22 point second half lead to Texas Tech, giving them their first conference win of the season. Luckily for them, they got to head back home on Saturday, where the previously mentioned Hilton magic helped them to a dominant win over Kansas. Iowa State is a perfect 12-0 at home this season, the only Big 12 team to be undefeated at home. Hinton is providing a special season for the Cyclones, but they are only 2-5 on the road, which may cause issues down the road.

1. Texas Longhorns (19-4, 8-2)

The Longhorns were able to keep the good times rolling this week, earning another two Big 12 wins and taking sole possession of the top of the Big 12. Losing their head coach mid-season has appeared to not affect Texas, who have won their last four conference games and look headed towards a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Neither game was easy for the Longhorns this week, winning two close games where they were able to hold off Baylor and Kansas State in the final minute of both games. But both teams were ranked in the top 15 of the AP Poll, and Texas was able to establish themselves as the king of the conference, for now at least.