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Big 12 Basketball power rankings: Iowa State, Texas Tech on the rise

By Joey Loose

Jan 1, 2022; Ames, IA, USA; Baylor's James Akinjo looks for an open pass while Iowa State's Tre Jackson defends on Saturday Jan. 1, 2022, at Hilton Coliseum, in Ames. The Cyclones fell to the Bears 77-72. Mandatory Credit: Kelsey Kremer-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2022; Ames, IA, USA; Baylor's James Akinjo looks for an open pass while Iowa State's Tre Jackson defends on Saturday Jan. 1, 2022, at Hilton Coliseum, in Ames. The Cyclones fell to the Bears 77-72. Mandatory Credit: Kelsey Kremer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Big 12 Basketball Ismael Massoud Kansas State Wildcats (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images)
Big 12 Basketball Ismael Massoud Kansas State Wildcats (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images) /

10. Kansas State (8-5, 0-2)

Ever since a pair of 25-win seasons in 2018 and 2019, things have not been trending in a great direction for Kansas State. The last two seasons were far more pedestrian in the Big 12 and this season is trending towards another finish in or near the cellar. Head coach Bruce Weber could be nearing the end of his coaching career, but that isn’t to say he’s done a poor job with the Wildcats. The former Illinois coach has had some great moments, including that Elite Eight run in 2018, but Kansas State is just outclassed in a very tough and deep Big 12.

One positive for the Wildcats is that they avoided any bad losses in non-conference play, with their defeats coming to Arkansas, Illinois, and Marquette. Kansas State was actually able to pick up a pair of decent road wins, going to Wichita State and Nebraska and coming away with solid wins. Unfortunately, they just don’t hold up against some of the top-level teams in the Big 12. However, Kansas State has actually played really well in their first two conference games, even if both were losses.

Kansas State fell by just two points at Oklahoma last weekend and blew an early lead against Texas earlier this week. There was a stretch this season where their defense was playing remarkable ball, including both of those road wins. The Wildcats have done a solid job limiting outside scoring, but the teams they’ll play in Big 12 play will have much better offenses than matchups with teams like Omaha and Albany.

Looking ahead, Kansas State is certainly a team that can pull an upset or two down the stretch, but it’s improbable to expect them to actually compete for an NCAA Tournament bid.

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