The latest AP Poll just dropped, and the Big 12 didn’t just show up; it took over. Four teams landed inside the top ten, with six total in the Top 25. If anyone needed proof that the league is running college basketball right now, this week’s rankings should do the trick.
Arizona leads the charge at No. 2, which checks out. They’ve looked like a machine through the early stretch and have already picked up a couple of wins that should hold up all year. Houston showed up at No. 8, doing what they usually do: winning games with tough defense and never blinking in close ones. BYU came in at No. 9, which might shock people who haven’t been paying attention, but if you’ve watched them this season, they’re legit. And then there’s Iowa State at No. 10, quietly cruising along while everyone else is arguing about bluebloods.
It doesn’t stop there, either. Texas Tech comes in at No. 19, and Kansas rounds it out at No. 21. That gives the Big 12 six teams in the Top 25, which is tied for the most of any conference in the country. And honestly, a few more could be knocking on the door soon.
What makes this even better for Big 12 fans is that these teams are going to spend the next two months beating the absolute hell out of each other. You’re going to get ranked matchups multiple nights a week, and Selection Sunday is going to be chaos in the best possible way.
Arizona and BYU have been the early surprises. Houston and Iowa State look every bit like second weekend teams in March. Texas Tech’s still figuring it out, and Kansas, well, they’re not used to being this low, but don’t expect them to stay quiet for long.
The Big 12 is deep, dangerous, and flat-out fun right now. And based on this poll, the rest of the country completely agrees.
