The Big 12 grind is in full swing, and the league is already beginning to show clear tiers as January winds down. While a handful of teams have separated themselves in the race at the top, much of the conference remains tightly packed, with nightly results reshaping the standings.
Big 12 Power Rankings (as of Monday, January 26)
From unbeaten Arizona setting the pace to traditional powers fighting inconsistency and depth issues, every game carries added pressure. These Big 12 power rankings show where each team stands following games played on Monday, January 26, taking recent form, big results, and what lies ahead as the conference schedule keeps moving on.
16. Kansas State Wildcats (10-10, 1-6)
Jerome Tang’s Wildcats are in real trouble. The home loss to Kansas spiraled late, capped by a 27–7 Jayhawks run. Kansas State is scoring over 84 points per game, but defensive issues remain glaring, allowing more than 80 per contest. The Wildcats head to West Virginia on Tuesday before returning home to host Iowa State on Sunday.
15. Utah Utes (9-11, 1-6)
Utah’s lone conference win came at home against TCU. Since then, the Utes dropped a tight road game at Kansas State and were overmatched by BYU, where AJ Dybantsa erupted for 43 points. Terrence Brown leads the team at 22.2 points per game. Utah stays home next, hosting Oklahoma State and Arizona State.
14. Baylor Bears (11-8, 1-6)
Few teams in the country have underperformed expectations like Baylor. The Bears’ only league win came on the road at Oklahoma State. Since then, losses to Kansas, Texas Tech, and TCU have followed. Cameron Carr leads the offense at 20.4 points per game. Baylor travels to Cincinnati and West Virginia next.
13. Cincinnati Bearcats (10-10, 2-5)
Cincinnati sits at a crossroads. After solid wins over Colorado and Iowa State, the Bearcats were blown out at Arizona and then fell at Arizona State. They average just 72.6 points per game but defend well, allowing 67.5. Baba Miller leads the team at 13.8 points per game. Baylor visits on Wednesday.
12. Arizona State Sun Devils (11-9, 2-5)
Arizona State snapped a three-game losing streak with a home win over Cincinnati. Moe Odum was outstanding, posting 33 points and eight assists. The Sun Devils head to UCF on Tuesday before returning home to face rival Arizona on Saturday.
11. Colorado Buffaloes (12-8, 2-5)
Colorado has dropped five straight after early league wins over Arizona State and Utah. Defensive struggles continue, highlighted by allowing 95 points at UCF. The Buffaloes visit Iowa State on Thursday and host TCU on Sunday.
10. Oklahoma State Cowboys (14-6, 2-5)
Despite a strong overall record, Oklahoma State has struggled in conference play. League wins have only come against UCF and Kansas State. Anthony Roy leads the Cowboys with 17 points per game. They head to Utah before hosting BYU.
9. TCU Horned Frogs (13-7, 3-4)
After a brutal four-game losing streak against elite competition, TCU has rebounded with wins over Oklahoma State and Baylor. David Punch leads the Horned Frogs at 14.6 points per game. Houston visits on Wednesday before a trip to Colorado.
8. West Virginia Mountaineers (13-7, 4-3)
West Virginia’s momentum stalled with a lopsided loss at Arizona. Still, the Mountaineers remain competitive, led by Honor Huff’s 16.2 points per game. Kansas State and Baylor are up next in Morgantown.
7. UCF Knights (15-4, 4-3)
After back-to-back losses to Arizona and Iowa State, UCF responded with an impressive road win at Colorado. Riley Kugel leads the Knights at 15 points per game. Arizona State visits Tuesday, followed by Texas Tech on Saturday.
6. Iowa State Cyclones (18-2, 5-2)
The Cyclones recovered well from road losses at Kansas and Cincinnati, beating UCF and Oklahoma State. Milan Momcilovic leads Iowa State at 18.8 points per game. The Cyclones boast elite balance, scoring 85.6 while allowing just 64.9 per game.
5. Kansas Jayhawks (15-5, 5-2)
Kansas is rolling with four straight wins after a slow conference start. Road victories at Colorado and Kansas State have reignited the Jayhawks’ title hopes. BYU comes to Lawrence on Saturday before a trip to Texas Tech.
4. Houston Cougars (17-2, 5-1)
Houston’s lone league loss came at Texas Tech, snapping an 11-game winning streak. Kingston Flemings leads the Cougars at 17 points per game. Houston visits TCU next before returning home for games against Cincinnati and UCF.
3. BYU Cougars (17-3, 5-2)
BYU came up just short in a thriller against top-ranked Arizona after rolling past Utah. Freshman AJ Dybantsa is averaging 23.6 points per game, with Robert Wright III adding 17.5. The Cougars head to Kansas and Oklahoma State next.
2. Texas Tech Red Raiders (16-4, 6-1)
Texas Tech has won five straight and is playing its best basketball of the season. The Red Raiders avenged their loss to Houston and now sit second in the standings. They travel to UCF before hosting Kansas on Big Monday.
1. Arizona Wildcats (21-0, 8-0)
Arizona remains the standard in the Big 12. The Wildcats survived a late scare to beat BYU 86–83, led by Brayden Burries’ 29 points and a decisive late block. Arizona is the league’s only unbeaten team and heads to Arizona State before a short break.
Moving into February
Arizona continues to separate itself at the top, while Texas Tech and Houston give chase. Behind them, the Big 12 remains unforgiving, with the middle of the league still wide open as February approaches.