Big 12 Men's Basketball Power Rankings - Week 8
The separation in the Big 12 Conference is starting to happen as we come down to the wire in the regular season, but if the rest of the year has taught us anything, that gap could close at any moment. There were some big wins last week to create some advantages, but this week will have a big say on how many teams can dream of a tournament berth and which top teams will be able to take it a bit easier to close out the year..
A quick reminder on how our power rankings work. It is NOT just going to be restating the standings. It is entirely possible that a team that has a worse record lands higher on the list, especially if they are playing really well as of late. Similarly, it is also not going to be a "who's hottest" list. Instead, it will be a subjective mix of which team is playing better and which team we think IS better, with a tiebreaker going to teams that have significantly outperformed our expectations.
So with that, here is the Week 7 edition of the Blue Wings Rising Big 12 Basketball Power Rankings:
Editor's Note: These rankings were determined prior to tipoff of the action on Big Monday. All voting was completed Sunday night. The records below reflect all action through Saturday, but Monday results are listed for this week.
1. Kansas Jayhawks (22-5, 10-4 Big 12) - 50 Points, LW: 2
Last Week: 87-76 W at Oklahoma State, 87-71 W vs Baylor
This Week: 63-58 W at TCU, Sat vs West Virginia
It's our first unanimous #1 of the season, and it's hard to argue with the Jayhawks at the top. They have by far the most quad 1 wins, they are winning without Jalen Wilson scoring 40, and the defense has been absolutely suffocating. They control their destiny for the overall number 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
2. Texas Longhorns (21-6, 10-4 Big 12) - 44 Points, LW: 1
Last Week: 74-67 L at Texas Tech, 85-83 (OT) W vs Oklahoma
This Week: Tues vs Iowa State, Sat at Baylor
It was surprising to see Texas struggle against Oklahoma at home, especially after the loss to Texas Tech on the road. This team is still very talented, but they are startng to struggle with consistency, which has been the weakness for the Longhorns for years across multiple coaches.
3. Baylor Bears (20-7, 9-5 Big 12) - 40 Points, LW: 3
Last Week: 79-67 W vs West Virginia, 87-71 L at Kansas
This Week: Tues at Kansas State, Sat vs Texas
There is no shame in losing to the Jayhawks in Allen Fieldhouse. But the way that game turned around in the second half makes you wonder if this team is dealing with stamina issues. They are still very talented offensively, but the defense leaves a LOT to be desired..
4. TCU Horned Frogs (18-9, 7-7 Big 12) - 31 Points, LW: 7
Last Week: 70-59 L at Iowa State, 100-75 W vs Oklahoma State
This Week: 63-58 L vs Kansas, Sat at Texas Tech
The Horned Frogs are finally healthy, and they exploded against an unprepared Oklahoma State team, but the real question is if this is what you can expect from them going forward or if they are going to struggle against more talented teams. Luckily they have two winnable road games surrounding a home game against a Texas team that has been inconsistent.
5. Kansas State Wildcats (20-7, 8-6 Big 12) - 29 Points, LW: T-4
Last Week: 79-65 L at Oklahoma, 61-55 W vs Iowa State
This Week: Tues vs Baylor, Sat at Oklahoma State
It wasn't the loss to Oklahoma that was concerning, but how definitive that loss was. Yes the Big 12 is a super tough league. However, it is fair to question how much this team overachieved early in the conference slate. They won't be an easy out the rest of the way, but they are going to need good games from the role players to keep up with the top tier opponents they still have to face.
6. Iowa State Cyclones (17-9, 8-6 Big 12) - 28 Points, LW: T-4
Last Week: 70-59 w vs TCU, 61-55 L at Kansas State
This Week: Tues at Texas, Sat vs Oklahoma
I'm not sure what to make of this team. They have some very good players, but the continued health questions around Caleb Grill has caused plenty of issues for this team. They will need to find some consistency, either with or without him.
7. Oklahoma State Cowboys (16-11, 7-7 Big 12) - 21 Points, LW: 6
Last Week: 87-76 L vs Kansas, 100-75 L at TCU
This Week: 85-67 L at West Virginia, Sat vs Kansas State
It's been rough recently for the Cowboys, who have had to face a red-hot Kansas team and then go on the road against TCU and West Virginia. The problem hasn't been the losses themselves, but more that they have been beaten handily in each. Even though they are pretty safely into the NCAA Tournament, they would be served well to get it turned around now.
8. Texas Tech Red Raiders (15-12, 4-10 Big 12) - 14 Points, LW: 9
Last Week: 74-67 W vs Texas, 78-72 W at West Virginia
This Week: Tues at Oklahoma, Sat vs TCU
From left for dead to squarely on the bubble, Texas Tech has really turned their season around, but they still have work to do. They need to win at Oklahoma and get at least one more upset to fell good about Selection Sunday.
9. Oklahoma Sooners (13-14, 3-11 Big 12) - 10 Points, LW: 10
Last Week: 79-65 W vs Kansas State, 85-83 (OT) L at Texas
This Week: Tues vs Texas Tech, Sat at Iowa State
A great week for them, but they missed a really good opportunity for another marquee win in Austin on Saturday. They still have an outside shot at getting to the NCAA Tournament, but they will need to get at least a couple more upsets.
10. West Virginia Mountaineers (15-12, 4-10 Big 12) - 8 Points, LW: 8
Last Week: 79-67 L at Baylor, 78-72 L vs Texas Tech
This Week: 85-67 W vs Oklahoma State, Sat at Kansas
It's both a baffling season and just a simple fact of life at the bottom of the Big 12. They have looked like they are about to turn it around multiple times, but then they have also looked hopelessly lost. The big question is which one they are going to end the season looking like, and if they can do enough to make it to the NCAA Tournament
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