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Big 12 Basketball Power Rankings: Texas Tech climbs into top 3 after big week

By Andrew Tineo

Dec 17, 2020; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Mac McClung (0) shoots over Kansas Jayhawks guard Bryce Thompson (24) in the second half at United Supermarkets Arena. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2020; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Mac McClung (0) shoots over Kansas Jayhawks guard Bryce Thompson (24) in the second half at United Supermarkets Arena. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Big 12 Basketball Kansas State Wildcats Bruce Weber Ricardo B. Brazziell/American-Statesman via USA TODAY NETWORK
Big 12 Basketball Kansas State Wildcats Bruce Weber Ricardo B. Brazziell/American-Statesman via USA TODAY NETWORK /

In a season where the unexpected is expected, Big 12 Basketball took a big hit over the week. The mass amount of postponements included three Saturday games canceled. Even with the missed opportunities at Basketball, plenty of action went down over the week.

A massive game-winner to upset a top 5 team took place in Austin. One of the best players in the conference had their worst performance. Yet, the team escaped with a win over a hostile crowd.

A freshman breaks out in tune to an emphatic win at home over a top 6 team in the country. All of that and much more transpired in a week with much uncertainty and postponements.

Here’s a look at the Big 12 Power Rankings in the middle of January.

Cyclones . 10. team. 461. . 2-7 (0-5). Previous: 10th

Previous Games: None, COVID cancellations against Kansas State and Kansas.

Next Games: Wednesday vs. Texas, Saturday at. Texas Tech.

After a struggling season, Iowa State’s week didn’t get much better. The Cyclones didn’t get any results this week, because of a COVID riddled week. They paused activities on Friday and their game being postponed.

It didn’t get much better as earlier in the week, news broke out that Xavier Foster would miss the rest of the season. The seven-foot freshman from Oskaloosa, Iowa averaged four points off the bench in seven games. He was shooting 62 percent from the field and averaged 1.7 rebounds per game.

Foster’s best game of the season was a 10 point performance against Kansas State. In the loss, he was a perfect three of three from the field and grabbed two rebounds, with two steals and a block.

Wildcats . 9. team. 463. . 5-8 (1-4). Previous: 9th

Previous Games: Postponed vs. Iowa State, 82-67 loss to Texas

Next Games: Tuesday at. Texas, Saturday vs. Oklahoma.

Kansas State had similar issues as the Cyclones with a COVID riddled week. The Kansas State program was put on pause prior to their contest against Iowa State. That game is being planned on being rescheduled for a later date.

Kansas State was unsuccessful on Saturday, with a loss to Texas. Davion Bradford led the way for Kansas State with 14 points and seven rebounds. The Wildcats just did not shoot the ball well from the field, making 43 percent of their shots. 62 percent from the free throw line and 14 turnovers were part of their downfall.

The Wildcats have had a rough start to the season and are looking for some sort of momentum. That won’t come easy with a top 10 opponent. Oklahoma is no slouch either, as they are coming off a 30+ win over another conference foe.

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