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

4. Baylor Bears

Scott Drew has assembled a Final Four-caliber roster and they are…fourth? That’s simply the grueling nature of the Big 12.

The 2024-25 Baylor Bears will once again deploy an elite offense headlined by a three-guard starting lineup: Jeremy Roach (Duke), Jayden Nunn and the fascinating five-star freshman VJ Edgecombe.  Roach expects to take over ball-handling duties and its backcourt will be supplemented by the stellar sixth man Langston Love and Jalen Celestine (Cal). In the frontcourt, Scott Drew landed Miami (FL) big man Norchad Omier -- a night-in, night-out double-double threat.

If Baylor can get its defense back up to speed, perhaps the Bears are ranked too low on this list.

3. Iowa State Cyclones

TJ Otzelberger has quickly established the Iowa State Cyclones as one of college basketball’s top defensive teams. That will stay the same this season with its top four scorers returning on a team that won 27 games and earned a 2-seed in the 2024 NCAA Tournament.

The heartbeat of the team, Tamin Lipsey, returns. Keshon Gilbert returns. Curtis Jones returns. Milan Momcilovic returns after a strong freshman season. The transfer portal was kind to the Cyclones too, landing notable transfers in Joshua Jefferson (Saint Mary’s) and Nate Heise (Northern Iowa).

Iowa State was exceptional last season. They are even better this season with their stubborn, tenacious identity intact. Playing on Monday night is not a far-fetched expectation for this group.