Big 12 Power Rankings: Kansas State makes another move up

1. Kansas (2-0, 13-1) 

Kansas dealt with two close calls to begin the conference slate. Both Oklahoma State and Texas Tech each took the storied program down to the final minute with the game in the balance, making them look somewhat vulnerable while at the top.

The Jayhawks have tremendous talent, but they are also relying on a true freshman in Gradey Dick to be special every night. He’s proven to be really good, but the lack of experience in one of your two best players can catch up to you in college basketball.

If they want to repeat as conference champs, they can’t afford to drop one of their next two to either West Virginia or Oklahoma. I kind of expect them to turn it on and cruise until the highly-anticipated matchup with Kansas State in Manhattan in a couple weeks. (Last: 1)

2. Kansas State (2-0, 13-1)

Speaking of K-State, they shocked a lot of people when they defeated Texas in Austin. They did so by scoring 116 points and were lights out from the field. It was a change of pace compared to the first win over the Mountaineers that required a second half comeback and an overtime effort from Kansas State.

K-State will be tested again on the road this weekend when they travel to Baylor before returning home to face Oklahoma State. (Last: 5)

3. TCU (2-0, 13-1)

They may have one of the worst losses for a Big 12 team in the non-conference schedule, but TCU hasn’t fallen since and are coming off their best victory of the year in the win over the Bears in Waco. It is very tight between them and Kansas State for the No 2 spot. (Last: 4)

4. Iowa State (2-0, 11-2)

Iowa State dropped a couple non-conference games but started the Big 12 schedule strong with wins over both Baylor and Oklahoma. They travel to Fort Worth this weekend for what should be a competitive game with TCU.

Like Kansas, the Horned Frogs and K-State, they are undefeated in the league. (Last: 8)

5. Texas (1-1, 12-2) 

A lot is happening in Austin, to put it lightly. But not a lot of it is positive for the Longhorns.

Not only did they fall to Kansas State at home while being ranked in the top 10, but head coach Chris Beard was fired for cause because of a domestic abuse altercation between he and his fiancee a few weeks ago.

Can Texas regroup in Stillwater with Rodney Terry leading things for the foreseeable future? He did narrowly get them their first Big 12 win in Norman. (Last: 2)

6. Baylor (0-2, 10-4) 

Perhaps now K-State head coach Jerome Tang was the secret sauce to what made Baylor elite the last couple years. I wonder about that because the Bears have started conference play off on the wrong end of a few contests.

They were swatted by Iowa State in Ames, and Baylor surrendered a late lead to TCU at home midweek. The Wildcats might run into a rabid and hungry squad at this point. Not many teams that start out 0-3 in the Big 12 and find a way to bounce back into the championship picture. (Last: 3)

7. Oklahoma State (1-1, 9-5) 

The Cowboys are two points away from being 2-0 and unscathed within the conference.

Oklahoma State nearly knocked off Kansas in Lawrence and then took care of the Mountaineers at home. They are proving more to me than I thought they would thanks to a poor non-conference resume. Now they invite Texas into town this weekend before traveling to Manhattan to take on Kansas State Tuesday. (Last: 10)

8. Texas Tech (0-2, 10-4) 

Texas Tech needs to get back on track after falling to two top 25 opponents. If they can’t find a win over Oklahoma in Lubbock on Saturday, I’m afraid they’ll be staring down the barrel of one of their worst seasons in a long time. (Last: 6)

9. West Virginia (0-2, 10-4)  

West Virginia was not set up to lose their first two Big 12 contests and are in danger of falling in each of their first four league games. They were tripped up by unranked opponents in K-State and Oklahoma State. The Mountaineers are now staring at upcoming contests with No. 3 Kansas and No. 19 Baylor.

Good luck, Bob. (Last: 7)

10. Oklahoma (0-2, 9-5)(Last: 9)

Oklahoma hasn’t had it easy. They faced two top 25 teams and lost them both. A road battle with Texas Tech isn’t any easier, but it is another chance to prove they aren’t a bottom dweller.

As a KSO subscriber, Kansas State fans can find out more about the rest of the recruiting targets still being chased, which underclassmen players could return for the Wildcats and how many of the seniors will be back on the roster for an extra season in Manhattan.

They can continue to learn more and more about the basketball team, their growth and follow along with us for the entirety of the season.

Remember, we have plenty of offseason coverage on the way to track how K-State is tracking in the transfer portal, and Jerome Tang and the Wildcats continue to trek towards a potential magical season that concludes with a tournament run.

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