The Big 12 is coming down to the final two weeks and we’re seeing some changing of positions in the men’s basketball power rankings.
Arizona had a huge bounce-back week and claimed a road win at Houston, one of the hardest places to play in the league. Iowa State also beat Houston, a game that was played in Ames. And, the bubble burst for one team and has come really close to bursting for another one. There is a path for one Big 12 team to get to the NCAA Tournament and give the league eight bids come March Madness.
Here are this week’s power rankings.
Tier 1 Big 12 Basketball Power Rankings
1. Arizona (25-2, 12-2) (Last Ranking: 3)
2. Iowa State (23-4, 10-4) (Last Ranking: 5)
3. Houston (23-4, 11-3) (Last Ranking: 1)
4. Texas Tech (20-7, 10-4) (Last Ranking: 2)
5. Kansas (20-7, 10-4) (Last Ranking: 4)
Arizona reasserted itself as the top team this week after taking care of BYU and Houston, the latter on the road, short-handed. The Wildcats had no Koa Peat or Dwayne Aristode and claimed both victories after losing two straight games.
Iowa State went into BYU and lost on Saturday, but the Cyclones move up a few spots after beating Houston at home. The Cougars lost both games last week and it was the first time they’ve lost back-to-back Big 12 games in two years. I dropped Arizona two spots after two straight losses. I felt the same was required of the Cougars. I almost want to make Iowa State and Houston 2a and 2b after this week.
If we’re drawing a line, to me the Wildcats, the Cyclones and the Cougars are the conference’s best chance at a national title.
Texas Tech bounced back nicely without JT Toppin against Kansas, but I want to see the Red Raiders against better teams.
Kansas’ loss at home to Cincinnati basically negates its win over Oklahoma State earlier in the week. I’m back to wondering which Kansas team will show up from game to game.
Tier 2
6. BYU (20-7, 8-6) (Last Ranking: 6)
7. UCF (19-7, 8-6) (Last Ranking: 10)
8. Cincinnati (15-12, 7-7) (Last Ranking: 8)
9. TCU (17-10, 7-7) (Last Ranking: 7)
10. West Virginia (16-11, 7-7) (Last Ranking: 9)
I held out as long as I could, but I can’t keep BYU on the first tier anymore. The injury to Richie Saunders did it for me. The win against Iowa State proves the Cougars are starting to figure things out without him. But they’re a second-tier team now. I feel BYU is better than UCF, which is why the Cougars are ahead of the Knights.
UCF did a great job solidifying its NCAA Tournament hopes with two wins this week, including one over TCU. The Knights are just about at the point where I think they’re safe. The Horned Frogs drop a spot after a 1-1 week, but they look like the league’s best chance to get an eighth bid in the Tournament.
I don’t like victory laps, but I got some feedback from WVU fans about having Cincinnati ahead of the Mountaineers in last week’s power rankings even though WVU had just beaten them. The Bearcats have won four straight games since losing to WVU. The Mountaineers are 1-3 since then. These two teams are heading in different directions. But, the Mountaineers are clearly better than the teams below them here, so WVU only drops one spot, even with an 0-2 week.
Tier 3
11. Colorado (15-12, 5-9) (Last Ranking: 12)
12. Oklahoma State (16-11, 4-10) (Last Ranking: 11)
13. Arizona State (14-13, 5-9) (Last Ranking: 14)
14. Baylor (14-13, 4-10) (Last Ranking: 13)
15. Kansas State (11-17, 2-12) (Last Ranking: 15)
16. Utah (9-16, 1-11) (Last Ranking: 16)
This might explain why OSU hasn’t taken the next step under head coach Steve Lutz.
Until the Cowboys win consistently on the road, they’re not going to be Big 12 contenders. I think their bubble burst this weekend, courtesy of Colorado.
Arizona State had the big win of the week until Cincinnati upended Kansas. But at this point the bottom of the conference is what it is. Baylor did beat Arizona State, but the Sun Devils didn’t get shoulder rolled, losing by five points. The Bears went to Kansas State and got blown out. I’ll leave the Sun Devils ahead of the Bears for this week.
