Big 12 Basketball Power Rankings: Week 6
With the 2019-20 Big 12 Men’s Basketball season now in Big 12 play, here are the HeartlandCollegeSports.com power rankings as of Feb. 3.
1. Baylor (Last rankings: 1)
With respect, what do you expect me to do at this point? The Bears have won 18 straight games and have defeated every ranked team they’ve played to this point. Baylor won’t drop until it loses.
Next: The Bears are at Kansas State on Monday and then host Oklahoma State on Saturday.
2. Kansas (Last rankings: 2)
Sliding Christian Braun into the starting lineup last Monday was a solid move. Devon Dotson continues to play with great consistency. Beating Texas Tech at home, even though the Red Raiders are no longer ranked, is still a quality win.
Next: Kansas hosts Texas on Monday and then travels to TCU on Saturday.
3. West Virginia (Last rankings: 3)
I’m keeping the Mountaineers here, despite the loss to Texas Tech. They bounced back nicely against Kansas State. Plus, West Virginia and Texas Tech split the season series. Based on how both teams are playing right now, I think the Mountaineers, at the moment, are the better team.
Next: The Mountaineers host Iowa State on Wednesday and then travel to Oklahoma on Saturday.
4. Texas Tech (Last rankings: 4)
The Red Raiders had a 1-1 week against ranked teams, as they beat West Virginia at home and then lost to Kansas on the road. The next eight games are against unranked teams. Guard Jahmi’us Ramsey is coming around on offense. The next few weeks could allow the Red Raiders to move up these rankings just a bit.
Next: Texas Tech hosts Oklahoma on Tuesday and travels to Texas on Saturday.
5. Oklahoma (Last rankings: 5)
The Sooners responded after their loss to Kansas State with a resounding win over Oklahoma State, fueled by Brady Manek’s 30-point game. The Sooners are one of the rare teams in the nation with a trio of players averaging at least 14 points per game. If the bench continues to progress, the Sooners will start knocking on the door of the top four.
Next: The Sooners are at Texas Tech on Tuesday and host West Virginia on Saturday.
6. Texas (Last rankings: 9)
Texas needed two wins this past week and the Longhorns got them. Texas beat TCU by one point and then beat Iowa State by four points. It wasn’t pretty, but Texas got it done. And they got it done by shooting the 3-pointer as well as the Longhorns have shot it all season.
Next: Texas is at Kansas on Monday and hosts Texas Tech on Saturday.
7. TCU (Last rankings: 6)
TCU lost both games this week, falling to Texas and Baylor. But while the Horned Frogs lost both, their Big Three — Desmond Bane, Kevin Samuel and R.J. Nembhard — all had solid weeks. Talent-wise, the Horned Frogs are ahead of all three teams on this list. Plus, they still have a fighting chance for the postseason.
Next: TCU is at Oklahoma State on Wednesday and hosts Kansas on Saturday.
8. Kansas State (Last rankings: 10)
The Wildcats move up a couple of spots after the win over Oklahoma. The development of David Sloan is a good sign for the Wildcats. Mike McGuirl gave the Wildcats a nice game off the bench against OU. But at three games under .500 the Wildcats are reaching a critical mass to try and get back to .500 by the end of the season.
Next: The Wildcats host Baylor on Monday and travel to Iowa State on Saturday.
9. Iowa State (Last rankings: 7)
The Cyclones are in as much trouble as the Wildcats right now, though they’re probably more talented overall. The 1-2 punch of Rasir Bolton and Tyrese Haliburton is keeping the Cyclones in basketball games, but that’s not getting them across the finish line. The Cyclones need more help from the rest of the team and it’s not happening consistently.
Next: Iowa State are at West Virginia on Wednesday and hosts Kansas State on Saturday.
10. Oklahoma State (Last rankings: 8)
The Cowboys have lost eight straight Big 12 games entering this week. This is likely the worst start to conference play in Oklahoma State’s history. As head coach Mike Boynton Jr. said on Saturday, this team is searching. And they need help.
Next: The Cowboys host TCU on Wednesday and travels to Baylor on Saturday.
Note: Our next full update will come on Feb. 10. Plus, on Friday I’ll post updated Power Rankings on my Twitter feed @PostinsPostcard.
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