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Big 12 Basketball power rankings: Kansas State soars, Texas Tech falters

By Tristan Freeman

Jan 3, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats head coach Jerome Tang talks with guard Markquis Nowell (1) during the second half against the Texas Longhorns at Moody Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats head coach Jerome Tang talks with guard Markquis Nowell (1) during the second half against the Texas Longhorns at Moody Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports /
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Big 11 Basketball Pop Isaacs #2 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
Big 11 Basketball Pop Isaacs #2 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

7. Texas Tech Red Raiders – 10-4 (0-2)

You couldn’t ask for a tougher two games to start out league play but to the credit of the Red Raiders, showed themselves well. On the road at TCU, Texas Tech had a double-digit halftime lead but couldn’t hold on in the end, losing 67-61. Freshman guard Pop Isaacs had 17 points on five made three-pointers, while De’Vion Harmon had 13 points, seven rebounds, and five steals.

Isaacs continued his stellar play in the next game against Kansas, scoring 18 points. Leading scorer Kevin Obanor had a nice bounce-back game as well, scoring a game-high 26 points and seven rebounds on 8/14 shooting. Jaylon Tyson had a solid two-way game as well, producing 10 points and nine rebounds, while also holding freshman star Gradey Dick to just 11 points for Kansas.

But in the end, it was another loss for Texas Tech, 75-72. Part of the issue has been that one of the key scorers has struggled in one of the games, with Isaacs so far being the lone consistent performer. Relying on the freshman to continue doing this throughout league play is a tough ask, so Obanor and Harmon has to step up.

The Red Raiders had Oklahoma at home this weekend, which is a must-win at this point. Because you don’t want to fall to 0-3 in league play before going on the road to play Iowa State and Texas afterward.

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