The folks at College Basketball Report have dropped a tier list for the 2025-26 Big 12 basketball season, and it’s already sparking conversation. The list categorizes the conference into six tiers, ranging from “Juggernauts” at the top to “Bad” at the bottom, with every team in the league securing a spot.
Houston sits alone in the “Juggernauts” tier, which feels about right considering the way that program has stacked talent and sustained success year over year. Right behind the Cougars are the “Title Contenders,” a group that includes Texas Tech, Iowa State, BYU, and Arizona. That tier has some real intrigue, especially with BYU and Arizona trying to prove they belong at the top of the new-look Big 12.
Next up is the “Good Teams” tier, which features Kansas and Baylor. The Jayhawks being this far down is going to raise eyebrows, no matter how you spin it. Kansas hasn’t gone two years without making national noise in a long time, but this is a clear message that they’re not being viewed as a top-tier threat at this point in the cycle.
In the “Mid” tier, you’ll find Kansas State, Oklahoma State, and Cincinnati. That’s the kind of grouping where things can go either way depending on development, health, and early-season momentum. Then come the “Below Average” teams, TCU, West Virginia, and UCF, all looking to claw their way back into relevance after up-and-down years.
Finally, the “Bad” tier includes Colorado, Arizona State, and Utah. That’s harsh, but maybe not all that surprising given recent results and roster questions heading into the year.
So now that the list is out there, the real question is how much you agree with it. Is Houston that much better than everyone else? Should Kansas still be grouped with Baylor? Did someone like Texas Tech or BYU get too much credit too early? There’s no doubt this ranking sets the stage for debate across the league.
Whether you buy the placements or think some programs got snubbed, the tier list makes one thing clear: this year’s Big 12 race is going to be loaded with storylines.
