Big 12 Rankings: Kansas State fights for respect

After a brief hiatus, KSO’s Big 12 Rankings are back in time for the start of conference play. After just two games, the 14 team league has already had some impressive upsets and tight finishes. Kansas State is off to a 2-0 start, but how much does that mean? Here is how the K-State Online panel of Mason Voth, Derek Young, Drew Galloway and ksu_FAN rank the league, along with thoughts on each squad from Mason.

1. HOUSTON COUGARS

Mason: 2
DY: 1
Drew: 2
Fan: 1

It was an exciting start to Big 12 play for the Cougars as they blew out West Virginia. But then a dose of reality came when they experienced their first road game in the league. Hilton Coliseum ate them alive in the first half and they fell behind too much to overcome. So now what could be the best team in the Big 12 is 1-1 in league play. I wouldn’t count out more losses as Houston continues to adjust to the vigorous Big 12 schedule compared to what they saw in the AAC.

2. BAYLOR BEARS

Mason: 3
DY: 2
Drew: 1
Fan: 2

They have looked shaky in their first two Big 12 wins, but somehow Scott Drew’s squad has survived tight games with 0-2 squads Oklahoma State and BYU. Baylor shot the lights out during non-conference play, but have encountered some struggles since last weekend. Baylor will have to diagnose if those problems are permanent, or just bad luck. The reliance on shooting is something that can make them dangerous, but also an easy target. Baylor’s defense is also outside the top 70 in efficiency this season, and were outside the top 100 last season. A steep decline since their impressive three-year run that saw them in the top 20 defensively.

3. KANSAS JAYHAWKS

Mason: 1
DY: 3
Drew: 3
Fan: 3

They clearly have flaws right now and are relying on their top five guys to be on the floor almost 40% of the time, which is easily the highest rate in the Big 12. But even after an alarming loss at UCF, I must remind you all of one thing. They are Kansas. They are inevitable in the Big 12. But they aren’t a great team right now.

4. OKLAHOMA SOONERS

Mason: 4
DY: 4
Drew: 4
Fan: 4

Porter Moser basically overhauled his entire roster, and so far he has gotten great results from it. Despite the hard road loss at TCU this week, the Sooners have the resume to currently be considered the fourth-best team in the league. They have a massive road trip to Allen Fieldhouse this weekend.

5. IOWA STATE CYCLONES

Mason: 5
DY: 5
Drew: 5
Fan: 5

Iowa State abused a weak non-conference schedule, but TJ Otzelberger has a clear path for his team. He executed it well in his first two seasons and so far so good in year three. Four players average double figures for the Cyclones and they once again have a tall white guy stroking it from three in Milan Momcilovic, who is at 42% on the season.

6. TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS

Mason: 8
DY: 6
Drew: 7
Fan: 6

Grant McCasland is riding a young guard with off-court problems and a fifth-year senior who played well above his career averages for the first two months of the season. It hasn’t failed him yet, but it certainly feels like Texas Tech’s early success could be built on some flimsy building blocks. That doesn’t mean Tech isn’t a good team and can’t sustain success, but regression wouldn’t be a wild surprise if it came. After this weekend’s matchup with Kansas State, the Red Raiders could possibly be 3-0 and raise expectations even more.

7. TCU HORNED FROGS

Mason: 6
DY: 10
Drew: 6
Fan: 7

If not for some unfriendly officiating in Allen Fieldhouse, TCU could be with K-State, Texas Tech and Baylor at 2-0 in Big 12 play right now. Following the tough loss, they successfully took down Oklahoma. The only thing holding the Frogs back this season might be their track record. TCU is still without an above .500 finish in Big 12 play since joining the league for the 2012-2013 season. At the current moment though, the Frogs are a bad call away from having two top-ten wins to start Big 12 play.

8. TEXAS LONGHORNS

Mason: 7
DY: 8
Drew: 9
Fan: 8

The talent is there for Texas, but against strong competition, they have been in dogfights. Max Abmas saved the Longhorns from an 0-2 start in Big 12 play at Cincinnati this week. Rodney Terry might end up being what most could have assumed: the wrong hire.

9. KANSAS STATE WILDCATS

Mason: 9
DY: 7
Drew: 8
Fan: 9

Of teams with NCAA Tournament aspirations in the Big 12, Kansas State might have had the shakiest non-conference. But since entering league play, the Wildcats have won two games by an average of 20 points over UCF and West Virginia. The competition is light compared to what others in the Big 12 have faced, but there is no doubt this team is playing better. A win at Texas Tech this weekend would force many to reevaluate what K-State is moving forward.

10. BYU COUGARS

Mason: 10
DY: 9
Drew: 12
Fan: 11

The Cougars have come very close to being 2-0 to start league play. Instead, they are 0-2 with a disappointing loss against Cincinnati at home and a tight one at Baylor. Mark Pope’s team is far from being the top 10 team they were once credited with being in the AP Poll, but they do appear to be ready to challenge anyone in the Big 12.

11. CINCINNATI BEARCATS

Mason: 11
DY: 11
Drew: 10
Fan: 10

Wes Miller is in his third season with the Bearcats and it is easily his best team. Just like numerous other teams in the league, they are very close to being 2-0. At the end of the day, the timeline for Cincinnati being a real competitor in the Big 12 might be a year away, but they have earned more respect to start the season, similar to BYU.

12. UCF KNIGHTS

Mason: 12
DY: 12
Drew: 11
Fan: 12

UCF looked terrible in their loss at K-State. How they turned around and beat Kansas on Wednesday night at home will never make sense. The Knights are good evidence of the depth of the Big 12. If you take the night off against them, they can get you. But if you lock in and take the threat seriously, you should have no trouble dispatching them.

13. OKLAHOMA STATE COWBOYS

Mason: 13
DY: 13
Drew: 13
Fan: 13

They aren’t the same poor shooting team many are accustomed to, but they are just as bad. Mike Boynton probably shouldn’t be employed past this season. His team is also lacking serious depth, their top lineup sees the floor 35% of the game, which trails just Kansas. If you don’t get a win against Oklahoma State, you are giving one up to the field. They are simply put not a good team.

14. WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEERS

Mason: 14
DY: 14
Drew: 14
Fan: 14

The Island of Misfit Toys is how West Virginia built their roster, then they lost their head coach. High-end individual talent could present a challenge on any given night, but in all likelihood, Big 12 teams should have no problem with the Mountaineers. Things might change once Jesse Edwards is healthy and returns to the lineup, but it seems unlikely. Blowout losses at Houston and home against Kansas State have not helped the Mountaineers chances of becoming a more competitive squad.