Big 12 Basketball power rankings: Baylor holds strong, Texas moves up

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - JANUARY 07: Guard Jared Butler #12 of the Baylor Bears handles the ball against guard Terrence Shannon #1 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the first half of the college basketball game on January 07, 2020 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

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MORGANTOWN, WV – FEBRUARY 01: Oscar Tshiebwe #34 of the West Virginia Mountaineers (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

3. West Virginia Mountaineers

Record: 17-4, 5-3 Conference Play

The biggest risers from last season, Bob Huggins’ West Virginia team looks every bit like the Mountaineers of old in the first month of conference play, proving that last season was a fluke.

Led by superstar freshman Oscar Tshiebwe, the Mountaineers are a legit contender in both the BIg 12 and in the National Championship picture. Aside from a bad loss against Kansas State, West Virginia has been consistent and brilliant, looking like one of the most balanced teams in the country.

Both Derek Culver and Miles McBride have had big seasons, and with a fairly easy February aside from back-to-back games against Baylor and Kansas, there is no reason why the Mountaineers can’t stay at number three throughout the month.

If they can win one of their two games against Baylor and Kansas, then we’ll have ourselves a third Big 12 team in the top ten, and a potential dark horse to win the National Championship. If not, then the Mountaineers will still be in good shape as a top-five seed in the tournament, a far cry from last season’s meltdown.

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