Conference play is beginning to define the Big 12 race. While a handful of teams have established themselves as early contenders, others are already searching for answers after slow starts in league play. With little margin for error in one of college basketball’s deepest conferences, every week brings meaningful movement in the standings.
16. Cincinnati Bearcats (8-8, 0-3)
Cincinnati continues to struggle to find consistency. The Bearcats have now dropped three straight conference games and have failed to reach 65 points in back-to-back losses to Houston and West Virginia before falling again in Orlando. Day Day Thomas leads the team at 12.7 points per game, but offensive production has been an ongoing issue. Cincinnati will try to reset at home against Colorado before welcoming Iowa State as they look for their first Big 12 win.
15. Utah Utes (8-8, 0-3)
Utah showed fight in its rivalry matchup but could not slow down BYU, extending a rough stretch that includes four straight losses. Terrence Brown is carrying a heavy load offensively at more than 21 points per game, and the Utes are scoring 80.6 points per contest as a team. Defensive struggles remain the difference. A road trip to Texas Tech is up next before TCU visits Salt Lake City.
14. Kansas State Wildcats (9-7, 0-3)
Kansas State’s league slate has been unforgiving so far. Losses to BYU, Arizona, and Arizona State have left the Wildcats winless in conference play. PJ Haggerty continues to produce, averaging 22.9 points per game while logging heavy minutes. Kansas State will try to stop the slide at home against UCF before heading to Oklahoma State.
13. Arizona State Sun Devils (10-6, 1-2)
Arizona State earned a much-needed home win over Kansas State, snapping a brief skid to open conference play. Maurice Odom leads the Sun Devils at 16.4 points per game while playing more than 33 minutes a night. The challenge level rises significantly with road games looming at Arizona and Houston.
12. Baylor Bears (10-5, 0-3)
This has not been the start Baylor envisioned in Big 12 play. Consecutive losses to TCU, Iowa State, and Houston have put the Bears behind early. Cameron Carr is producing 20.5 points per game, but defensive lapses have been costly. Baylor will attempt to regroup at Oklahoma State before a trip to Kansas.
11. Oklahoma State Cowboys (13-3, 1-2)
Oklahoma State has shown flashes but has struggled away from home. Losses at Texas Tech and against Iowa State followed a slow start over the weekend. Anthony Roy leads the Cowboys with 17.6 points per game. A two-game homestand against Baylor and Kansas State offers a chance to stabilize their conference standing.
10. TCU Horned Frogs (11-5, 1-2)
TCU let a late opportunity slip against Kansas and then ran into an Arizona team firing on all cylinders. Despite strong defensive metrics overall, allowing 86 points to the Wildcats underscored the margin for error. David Punch leads the Horned Frogs at 14.1 points per game, with Brock Harding contributing as both a scorer and facilitator.
9. Kansas Jayhawks (11-5, 1-2)
Kansas is already navigating unfamiliar territory with five losses before mid-January. A road loss at West Virginia followed a narrow home escape against TCU. With Iowa State and Baylor up next, the Jayhawks face a critical stretch that could shape the rest of their season.
8. West Virginia Mountaineers (11-5, 2-1)
West Virginia has capitalized on home court, earning back-to-back wins over Cincinnati and Kansas. Honor Huff continues to lead the way, averaging 17.5 points per game while rarely leaving the floor. A difficult road test at Houston precedes a return home to face Colorado.
7. Colorado Buffaloes (12-4, 2-1)
Colorado came up just short against Texas Tech but remains firmly in the upper half of the league. Recent contributions from Sebastian Rancik and Bangot Dak have helped steady the rotation. Road games at Cincinnati and West Virginia will test the Buffaloes’ depth and poise.
6. UCF Knights (13-2, 2-1)
UCF has been one of the early surprises in conference play, highlighted by wins over Kansas and Cincinnati. The Knights’ lone league loss came at Oklahoma State, while their only non-conference defeat was against unbeaten Vanderbilt. A late jumper from Themus Fulks sealed their most recent win. Trips to Kansas State and a home showdown with Arizona are next.
5. Texas Tech Red Raiders (12-4, 2-1)
Texas Tech continues to hover near the top tier after wins over Oklahoma State and Colorado. JT Toppin remains the centerpiece, averaging 20.6 points per game, with Christian Anderson providing another consistent scoring option. Utah and BYU are next on the schedule in Lubbock.
4. BYU Cougars (15-1, 3-0)
BYU has been one of the most entertaining teams in the country, riding an undefeated conference mark and an offense nearing 89 points per game. Richie Saunders delivered a big second half in the rivalry win over Utah, while freshman AJ Dybantsa continues to shine at 22.9 points per game. TCU visits next before a road trip to Texas Tech.
3. Houston Cougars (15-1, 3-0)
Houston continues to pair elite defense with steady execution. The Cougars extended their road winning streak to a school-record 16 games with a dominant performance at Baylor. Home games against West Virginia and Arizona State come next before a late-January trip to Texas Tech.
2. Iowa State Cyclones (16-0, 3-0)
Iowa State remains flawless after dispatching Oklahoma State and opening Big 12 play with wins over West Virginia and Baylor. Joshua Jefferson’s 19-point, five-assist outing led the way most recently. Road games at Kansas and Cincinnati will test the Cyclones as they try to stay unbeaten.
1. Arizona Wildcats (16-0, 3-0)
Arizona continues to set the standard in the Big 12. The Wildcats are unbeaten, dominant on both ends, and capable of explosive scoring nights, including multiple 100-point performances. Koa Peat led the way in a road win at TCU, and a rivalry game with Arizona State precedes a high-profile trip to UCF.
Final Thoughts
With conference play underway, the Big 12 race is already delivering separation at the top and urgency at the bottom. Arizona, Iowa State, and Houston have set an early pace, while several traditional contenders are fighting to regain footing. As schedules tighten and road games pile up, these power rankings are likely to shift quickly in the weeks ahead.