Big 12 Basketball: Preseason power rankings entering 2024-25 season

8. Texas Tech Red Raiders

Last season, Texas Tech had a KenPom top-25 offense and defense ranked outside the top 60 -- an anomaly for a Grant McCasland-coached team. Yet, this speaks more toward McCasland’s ability to adapt to his personnel than anything else.

Entering the 2024-25 season, Texas Tech will look different in the backcourt. Its two leading scorers -- Pop Isaacs (Creighton) and Joe Toussaint (graduation) -- depart. Adding the needle-threading, past-first PG Elijah Hawkins, who averaged 7.5 APG last season at Minnesota, helps subdue its backcourt losses alongside the returnees of knock-down three-point shooters Chance McMillan and Kerwin Walton. 

JT Toppin, who shot over 60% from the field as a freshman last season at New Mexico, has NBA-level talent -- and the makings to be the star in Texas Tech’s frontcourt. The bottom line? There is lots to like and unwavering optimism in West Texas.

7. BYU Cougars

It may be Kevin Young’s first offseason as a Division I head coach. But it sure doesn’t look like it.

The BYU Cougars had arguably the best offseason in the Big 12 after losing its head coach to Kentucky. Sure, the Cougars lost some key pieces, such as Jaxon Robinson and Noah Waterman but that is to be expected amidst a coaching change.

Kevin Young retained Dallin Hall and Richie Saunders after entering the transfer portal this spring. Veteran Trevin Knell returns. Freshman Egor Demin -- a potential 2025 lottery pick -- and Kanon Cutchings have generated NBA Draft Buzz. Oh, and BYU is firmly in the mix for the No.1 overall recruit AJ Dybansta. 

The investment in the basketball program is at an all-time high. The BYU Cougars are not only a sleeping giant this season but for years to come.