K-State Leads, OU Rises to No. 2 in Latest Big 12 Women’s Basketball Power Rankings
The Big 12 women’s basketball season is now 12 weeks old and after nine games of league play the movement continues in our power rankings.
The top spot remains the same, but there was necessary shuffling below the Wildcats. And, we’re entering a week in which we could see a lot of movement in the power rankings.
Below we present our 12th Big 12 women’s basketball power rankings for the 2023-24 season and after three Big 12 games.
Tier One
1. Kansas State (20-1, 9-0) – Last Week — 1
Halfway through Big 12 play the Wildcats are undefeated. They’ve won their last three games without center Ayoka Lee. The margins were small last week — two wins by a combined five points. But, Kansas State is getting great efforts in Lee’s place from Eliza Maupin (16 points against Baylor) and Gisela Sanchez (18 points vs. BYU).
As long as Lee is out, the Wildcats are vulnerable. But they’re playing some gritty basketball entering a week in which they have to go to Oklahoma and Texas. If the Wildcats win both of those games, good luck catching them. If they split or lose both, the complexion of this race could change.
Tier Two
2. Oklahoma (13-6, 7-1) – Last Week — 4
3. Texas (19-3, 6-3) – Last Week — 2
4. Baylor (16-3, 5-3) – Last Week — 5
5. West Virginia (17-2, 6-2) – Last Week — 6
Give OU some credit. The Sooners looked like they were in trouble entering Big 12 play. But the Sooners have won seven of their first eight, their last four and beat Texas on the road their way — scoring 91 points and frustrating Texas coach Vic Schaefer as much as I’ve ever seen him frustrated (and that’s a high bar). Skylar Vann has been the star. Freshman Sahara Williams is emerging as a quality option inside.
Texas has missed a beat since losing Rori Harmon, but the Longhorns have battled through it. But, they sat freshman Madison Booker for their game with Cincinnati and it’s unclear how long her hamstring will keep her out. Texas has big games against Baylor and Kansas State this week.
Baylor bounced back from its early week loss to Kansas State by beating Oklahoma State on the road. The Mountaineers are playing some of the best defense in the country and JJ Quinerly’s career-high scoring outing of 31 points against Iowa State shows that the team is settling nicely into coach Mark Kellogg’s system.
At this point, I believe the top five teams in the conference are clear. All five of these teams should make the NCAA Tournament. Below this point? It should be interesting.
Tier Three
6. Texas Tech (16-6, 5-4) – Last Week — 8
7. Iowa State (12-7, 6-3) – Last Week — 3
Texas Tech had a big week. The Lady Raiders beat Houston and TCU at home. The next four games are inviting — at Cincinnati, at West Virginia, UCF and then Oklahoma State. If the Lady Raiders can win three of four, I think that positions them well for March.
Iowa State is by no means out of the running for the NCAA Tournament but going 0-2 last week significantly trims the Cyclones’ margin of error because of they were barely above .500 in non-conference. As long as Audi Crooks is healthy and productive, the Cyclones have a chance.
Tier Four
8. Kansas (10-10, 3-6) – Last Week — 10
9. Oklahoma State (11-9, 4-5) – Last Week — 7
10. TCU (15-5, 2-7) – Last Week — 12
11. BYU (12-9, 2-6) – Last Week — 9
12. Cincinnati (10-9, 2-6) – Last Week — 13
13. Houston (11-9, 2-7) – Last Week — 11
14. UCF (10-8, 1-7) – Last Week — 14
I thought Kansas was coming out of its early-conference struggles with wins over Baylor and Oklahoma State. But reality set it. The Jayhawks have lost three of their last four, with only a win over Iowa State at home.
Oklahoma State has lost three straight and four of its last five. With their next three games featuring Iowa State, Oklahoma and Kansas State, it’s now or never for the Cowgirls.
TCU bounced back from its forfeit week with a win over UCF at home but couldn’t turn it into a 2-0 week at Texas Tech. BYU lost its only game but pushed Kansas State to the brink. Cincinnati split, Houston swept and UCF finally won its first Big 12 game.
It’s been a rough sled for all of these teams thus far.
You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.
