Busting Brackets
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Big 12 Basketball Power Rankings: Kansas holds strong at the top

By Jason Kinander

LAWRENCE, KANSAS - DECEMBER 01: Lagerald Vick #24 of the Kansas Jayhawks celebrates after making a three-pointer during the game against the Stanford Cardinal at Allen Fieldhouse on December 01, 2018 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
LAWRENCE, KANSAS - DECEMBER 01: Lagerald Vick #24 of the Kansas Jayhawks celebrates after making a three-pointer during the game against the Stanford Cardinal at Allen Fieldhouse on December 01, 2018 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 01: The Texas Tech Red Raiders bench reacts after a dunk against the Memphis Tigers during the HoopHall Miami Invitational at American Airlines Arena on December 1, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 01: The Texas Tech Red Raiders bench reacts after a dunk against the Memphis Tigers during the HoopHall Miami Invitational at American Airlines Arena on December 1, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

2. Texas Tech Red Raiders (10-0)

Previous Ranking: No. 2

Texas Tech was certainly not expected to repeat last season’s Elite Eight run, especially after losing stars Keenan Evans and Zhaire Smith. However, amazingly enough, Texas Tech is looking even better than last season, starting out the season by winning their first ten games, and netting a ranking at No. 11 in the country.

Texas Tech has picked up wins over Nebraska, USC, and Memphis as a part of their undefeated run. It’s been the Jarrett Culver show so far for the Red Raiders, as the sophomore guard leads the team in points, rebounds, and assists per game. Culver, who tested the NBA draft waters last season, has lifted Texas Tech to their undefeated start.

Texas Tech’s start has been impressive but their first major test approaches with Duke up next on the schedule. The Red Raiders will have the chance to validate their unbeaten start to the season and a win over the Blue Devils would put the Red Raiders close to the top-5 of the AP Poll and would make them a real challenger to Kansas for the Big 12 crown.

It’s a big “if” but if Texas Tech can somehow manage to defeat Duke, it would be hard to not make them the favorites to win the Big 12 before conference play. Obviously, they haven’t faced a team even close to Duke yet this season, but if they can pull it out, this Red Raider team will have national attention as a contender by the turn of the new year.

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