The Houston Cougars are looking to win their third straight Big 12 Conference title to start their tenure as members of the league. It would mark the first time a team captured three consecutive Big 12 titles since Kansas’ dominant stretch from 2004 to 2018.
The Cougars were chosen by coaches as the preseason favorite to win the conference, marking the first time they’ve held that distinction after being picked second in each of the last two seasons. Houston received 14 of the 16 first-place votes, setting the tone for another championship run.
Challengers Rising in the Big 12
Coming in second are the BYU Cougars, led by the dynamic youngster AJ Dybantsa, who headlines one of the most promising young rosters in the nation. Richie Saunders also plays a pivotal role in Kevin Young’s lineup, as BYU looks to take the next big step toward contention.
Texas Tech follows at third, eager to reclaim its place at the top. The Red Raiders haven’t shared or won a league title since 2018–19, when Jarrett Culver earned Big 12 Player of the Year honors. Now, with JT Toppin leading the charge, Tech aims to return to that level.
The Arizona Wildcats round out the top four. In their first Big 12 season, Tommy Lloyd’s team collected one first-place vote, signaling respect from fellow coaches.
The Rest of the Field
Rounding out the top eight are the Iowa State Cyclones, Kansas Jayhawks, Baylor Bears, and Cincinnati Bearcats. Each brings its own blend of experience and potential, setting up what should be another tightly contested Big 12 race.
The remainder of the preseason rankings:
9. Kansas State Wildcats
10. TCU Horned Frogs
11. West Virginia Mountaineers
12. Oklahoma State Cowboys
13. Utah Utes
14. Central Florida Knights
15. Colorado Buffaloes
16. Arizona State Sun Devils
Star Power Across the League
Before playing a single college game, BYU’s AJ Dybantsa was named a unanimous preseason All-Big 12 selection. He joins teammate Richie Saunders on the list, while Houston placed three players, Emanuel Sharp, Joseph Tugler, and Milos Uzan.
Texas Tech also landed two representatives in Christian Anderson and JT Toppin, who enters as the early favorite for Big 12 Player of the Year. Rounding out the ten-player preseason list are Darryn Peterson of Kansas, P.J. Haggerty of Kansas State, and Tamin Lipsey of Iowa State. Both Peterson and Uzan were unanimous picks.
Peterson, a highly touted freshman at Kansas, was named Big 12 Freshman of the Year, becoming the tenth Jayhawk to earn that preseason honor. LeJuan Watts, a transfer from Washington State where he averaged 13.7 points per game, was named Newcomer of the Year.
Season Tips Off Soon
Big 12 basketball begins Monday, November 3, with a marquee non-conference matchup between Arizona and Florida. Conference play tips off on January 2 when Iowa State hosts West Virginia, officially launching another season in one of college basketball’s most competitive leagues.