By Gemini Sports Bureau
The Big 12 Conference has laid early claim to being the toughest conference in college basketball. With 4 teams in the AP top 10, the conference has proven itself head to head against the other Power 4 conferences. By relying on a blend of experienced transfers and elite freshmen, these programs have established the Big 12 as the most competitive league in the nation, where RPI and BPI metrics fluctuate with every high-stakes result.
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BIG 12 HOOPS POWER RANKINGS CRITERIA
Who: The 16-team Big 12 men’s basketball slate — featuring national powerhouses and rising underdogs.
What: A power ranking calibrated by RPI and BPI markers, blended with current performance and player impact.
When: As of Week 7 of the 2025-26 season, heading into key non-conference and league openers.
Where: From Allen Fieldhouse to the Fertitta Center and every hostile road gym in between.
Why: National relevance, tournament seeding implications, and the quest to dethrone recent Big 12 kings.
How: By parsing analytics measures (RPI/BPI trends), game outcomes, and statistical leaders, this is the pecking order that matters.
1. Houston Cougars — Dynasty Watch Continues
Projection: National contender; Big 12 title favorite
Houston sits atop most predictive boards and returns the core that powered last season’s deep NCAA run. The Cougars boast defensive versatility and offensive balance, and though BPI and RPI fluctuate week-to-week, Houston’s résumé is elite. Spotlight: Emanuel Sharp — a pick-pocket dynamo and clutch scorer who epitomizes Houston’s don’t-quit identity.
2. Arizona Wildcats — Unblemished and Unrelenting
AP-ranked, RPI/BPI backed, and nationally feared
Arizona’s unblemished start has drawn national buzz. Their efficiency on both ends combines elite talent with veteran savvy. Spotlight: Jaden Bradley — orchestrates Arizona’s offense with poise, creating for teammates and seizing moments late. Arizona’s schedule will soon test their Big 12 title mettle.
3. BYU Cougars — Offensive Juggernauts
Balanced scoring and elite wing play
BYU has turned heads with swagger and scoring explosions against mid-majors and power list opponents. Spotlight: AJ Dybantsa — his career night (35 points) over Abilene Christian put every national scout on notice; he’s the alpha BYU ride-or-die piece.
4. Iowa State Cyclones — Efficiency on Both Ends
Elite metrics partner with disciplined execution
Though not as decorated in national polls, Iowa State’s offensive and defensive efficiencies rate among the league’s best in advanced metrics. Spotlight: Tamin Lipsey — when healthy, the Cyclones’ point guard can catalyze their most dangerous offense.
5. Texas Tech Red Raiders — Grit and Guard Play
High-tempo aggression and punch-for-punch scoring
Texas Tech just handed Duke its first loss of the season, a statement that youth and experience are coalescing. Spotlight: Christian Anderson — erupted for 27 points in that win, proving he’s more than a shooter — he’s a closer.
6. Kansas Jayhawks — Tradition Meets Transition
Road warriors with budding freshman stardom
Kansas hasn’t slipped from relevance; inconsistency has been their chief enemy. Spotlight: Darryn Peterson — the Freshman of the Year buzz is real, and his scoring and swagger light up Allen Fieldhouse.
7. Baylor Bears — Balanced Attack
Under the radar, snapping and rising
Baylor flies just under the Big 12 radar with solid two-way play. Spotlight: Cameron Carr — scoring leader whose ability to shift the game with pure offense bolsters Baylor’s pedigree.
8. UCF Knights — Surprise Surge
Hot streaks and growing chemistry
An unexpected hot start nets UCF respect and momentum entering league play behind a balanced lineup. Spotlight: Jamichael Stillwell — a rebounding force who also leads the Knights in steals and is fourth in team scoring.
9. West Virginia Mountaineers — Rebounding & Resilience
Battles anyone, anywhere
West Virginia’s tenacity and rebounding are hallmarks of their style. Spotlight: Honor Huff — the Mountaineers’ leading scorer is shooting at a scorching 41% rate.
10. Kansas State Wildcats — Upside, Inconsistency
Moments of brilliance offset by variability
Kansas State has talent, and Spotlight: P.J. Haggerty — league scoring leader — gives them a legitimate offensive anchor. Consistency remains the key to a climb.
11. Oklahoma State Cowboys — Tough but Topsy-Turvy
Grind games and slogs define their year
Expect scrappy games from Oklahoma State. Spotlight: Jaylin Curry — one of 5 Cowboys averaging double figures in point, Curry is the hub of the Cowboys’ offense.
12. TCU Horned Frogs — Upward Trend
Physical defense, opportunistic scoring
TCU can swing a game with effort. Spotlight: David Punch — Punch is doing everything right now for the Horned Frogs, leading the team in scoring, rebounding and blocks.
13. Cincinnati Bearcats — Mixed Bag
Terrific at times, fragile at others
Their season has peaks; the trick is stringing wins together and avoiding off days like their loss to Eastern Michigan. Spotlight: Baba Miller — his presence down low is key to the Bearcats’ success.
14. Colorado Buffaloes — Grit With Growth Needed
Young roster trying to cohere
Spotlight: Barrington Hargress — Hargress leads the team in assists and steals and is third in scoring average for a young Buffaloes team.
15. Arizona State Sun Devils — Long Road Ahead
Struggles persist, but effort never lacks
Spotlight: Maurice Odum — Odum does a little bit of everything for the Sun Devils, leading the team in scoring, assists and steals. This rank feels low for a team this good, but it speaks to the top to bottom strength of the Big 12.
16. Utah Utes — A Strong 1-2 Punch
Their record looks good now, but warning signs for conference play
Spotlight: Don McHenry — Half of the Utes’ dynamic backcourt pair, McHenry’s smooth stroke will be needed to keep the Utes competitive in Big 12 play.
LOOKING AHEAD
Next week’s slate features conference openers that could shatter this order — matchups like Arizona vs Iowa State and Houston vs Baylor will be defining. The Big 12’s national powerbrokers aren’t just fighting for seeding; they’re carving out legacy narratives on the national stage. Who will rise? Who will fade? Buckle up — the heart of the Big 12 gauntlet is here.
Looking Ahead: The peace of the holiday season will be short-lived for the Big 12. The upcoming week features several critical non-conference matchups that will finalize the league’s strength-of-schedule metrics before the New Year’s conference openers. Keep an eye on Iowa State as they look to maintain their perfect record, while Kansas and Houston prepare for a collision course that will likely decide the January standings.
