Welcome to Tuesday Takes, where I give you four takes from the Big 12. It was a jam-packed week full of exciting news, but there were several things that caught my attention over the last few days.
BYU is Sinking
When the news of Richie Saunders’ going down broke, I had my doubts about BYU. But even without Saunders, the Cougars still managed to take down a top-ten Iowa State team at home a little over a week ago.
Since then, it’s been all downhill for the Cougars, who have now lost back-to-back games against UCF and West Virginia. The problem for this team is simple. Outside of superstar AJ Dybansta and Rob Wright, BYU has few scoring options.
In the game against UCF last week, it was the Dybansta and Wright show, and the game against West Virginia went the exact same way. In fact, against the Mountaineers, the pair combined for 43 points while their other three starters combined for just 16 points. That’s a problem, and unless somebody else steps up offensively, then BYU will continue to spiral.
Texas Tech Can Win Without Toppin
Unlike BYU, Texas Tech has won games without one of its star players. Two weeks ago, the Red Raiders lost the reigning Big 12 player of the year in JT Toppin, and since then, they have won three straight games, including one over Iowa State in Hilton.
I know Tech shot lights out against Iowa State this past Saturday, but what they did was impressive. They played team basketball and had six players in double digits. Plus, they played some outstanding defense as well.
By no means am I saying Tech is better without Toppin, but the fact that they look this good is crazy. Christian Anderson is a great player and is capable of leading this team, but when he has this much help around him, Tech will be tough to beat. I can easily see this team making a sweet sixteen run despite the loss of Toppin.
The Bubble Was Perfect
This past weekend couldn’t have gone any better for the Big 12 teams on the bubble. Cincinnati, West Virginia, and TCU all won on Saturday, which could help the conference get a few more teams in.
Out of those three, the Horned Frogs still have the best path, and as long as they split their next two games, they will be fine. Things get a little more complicated with Cincinnati and West Virginia, but if they both can win out and win a couple of games in Kansas City, then who knows what could happen.
As great as it was for these three teams, it was even better for the Big 12. Right now, there are seven teams that are easily in the tournament, and the conference could use a nice boost as long as these bubble teams keep winning.
Arizona Will Lock Up a One Seed
After beating Iowa State by double digits on Big Monday, the Arizona Wildcats are your 2026 regular-season champions. The Wildcats are now 28-2 on the season and 15-2 in Big 12 play.
Arizona is currently the number two team in the country, only behind Duke. While they still have one game left against Colorado on Saturday, it won’t matter much, but they should win that game easily.
This team went through arguably one of the toughest stretches in Big 12 play I have ever seen and came out with just two losses in conference action, which is incredible. They do everything so well and play sound basketball. Whether they make a run in Kansas City doesn’t matter because no matter what happens, Arizona will get a one seed in the NCAA Tournament.
