Big 12 Basketball: Latest power rankings and takeaways heading into a big week

Big 12 has six teams that can make it to the second weekend

What we have learned over the course of the season is that 2-7 in the conference can be anyone on any given night. This also shows the conference can beat just about anybody, but also can lose.

For Baylor, a lot will depend on how they perform after being absent for almost three weeks. More will be seen in their return game against Iowa State on Tuesday. Prior to that, the Bears are a prime final four candidate and the best backcourt in the entire country.

When they’re hitting their stride, Oklahoma can beat just about any team in the country. With upcoming players like De’Vion Harmon and Umoja Gibson. The Sooners have the senior duo of Austin Reaves and Brady Manek, that are very experienced and can lead the team during the NCAA Tournament. Reaves is playing like an All-Big 12 player and Manek’s three-point shooting makes him lethal.

As mentioned before, West Virginia has been playing their best basketball and I’d argue, they’re playing better without Oscar Tshiebwe. It’s the same West Virginia that played Gonzaga tough for 40 minutes and only lost by five. Culver is a double-double machine, that will be First-Team All-Big 12. McBride has future First Team potential, while also playing fantastic basketball right now.

Kansas is finally getting consistent production on offense while playing their best defense of the season. The starting five might be the most consistent scoring unit in the conference, while each seems to score double figures just about every game. The Jayhawks have flaws, but the defense can help them make it to the second weekend.

It’s been a struggle for Texas to win against solid opponents lately, but are certainly capable of playing their game, when not having self-inflicting wounds. Jones can play like an elite guard and Ramey scoring 28 points is encouraging. They have a good blend of youth and experience, with two juniors, a freshman, and two seniors.

Texas Tech for quite a bit of the season was the trendy pick for a dark horse candidate for the Final Four. Lack of depth has been the issue with Texas Tech and inconsistent three-point shooting performance, with shooting just 33.8% in conference play. The Red Raiders do a good job of limiting turnovers and if given the right matchups, the defense can do enough to send them to the Sweet 16.

Oklahoma State has depth, as they have seven players that average seven or more points a game. The Cowboys have the best freshman in the country and are dominant on the defensive end with steals and shot blocking. They rank second in steals and first in blocks in the conference. Similar to Texas Tech, if given the right matchup and the NCAA giving them the green light to play, they are a serious contender for the second weekend.