Big 12 Rankings: Kansas State surging as win streak rages on

It has been a few weeks since the last Big 12 rankings. It slipped through the cracks in the excitement of Kansas State’s six-game win streak. But it is time to give the Wildcats recognition amongst their peers in the Big 12. It also means we haven’t properly documented the Iowa State and Kansas collapses.

1. HOUSTON COUGARS

With just seven games remaining in the season, Houston is 12-1 and alone in first place in the Big 12. Outside of a strange, emotionally charged loss to Texas Tech at home, the Cougars have been pretty close to unbeatable. It won’t be an easy finish for the Cougars though, and they have a big battle for first with Arizona on Saturday.

2. ARIZONA WILDCATS

The first trip to Manhattan didn’t go very well for Arizona. Kansas State held off a late-game push and handed Arizona their second loss of conference play. It was an oddly sandwiched game for the Wildcats. They were coming off a big win over Texas Tech on Saturday and have an even bigger matchup with Houston looming for this Saturday in the McKale Center. Based on how the rest of the league has been cannibalized, the record is reflective of how good Arizona has been through 13 games. The question will be how they handle the final seven.

3. TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS

Another team where you have to credit them for the record at this point in the season. They aren’t fully out of the Big 12 title race, they also are the only team to knock off Houston so far. They survived a midweek clunker at home, as Arizona State took them to double-overtime. Outside of a big home game with Houston and a road trip to Allen Fieldhouse, the Red Raiders have a favorable schedule to close things out.

4. IOWA STATE CYCLONES

A three-game losing streak had things looking shaky for Iowa State. But Milan Momcilovic has returned to the lineup and TCU has won their last two games by a combined 42 points. The road ahead will give Iowa State a chance to prove if they are back in top-five form. Trips to Houston and Kansas State still remain, and Arizona comes to Ames too.

5. KANSAS STATE WILDCATS

Kansas State has come back from the dead. A six-game win streak has made the hope of an NCAA Tournament appearance a real thing. But six straight won’t be enough for this team. It has only made the remaining work more attainable. Dug McDaniel’s revival might be more significant than what K-State has done as a team. David N’Guessan is playing at an All-Big 12 level and K-State is getting the best versions of Brendan Hausen and Max Jones. It also helps to have wins over Iowa State, Kansas and Arizona during the stretch.

6. KANSAS JAYHAWKS

Gone are the days of Kansas being inevitable. As sure as it was that Oklahoma was going to win the league in football, Kansas basketball was even more of a sure thing. But they feel like a major afterthought ever since Houston entered the league. A loss to K-State reemphasized the problems in Lawrence.

7. BYU COUGARS

BYU seemingly let Arizona beat them twice, as Cincinnati clipped them last week as well. But it was a nice bounce back for the Cougars to win at West Virginia in the midweek. Richie Saunders and Egor Demin will have to energize the Marriott Center crowd Saturday night when K-State comes to town.

8. BAYLOR BEARS

The version of Baylor playing in 2025 more closely resembles the type of team that would have rolled out in 2011. In terms of what is being achieved. Baylor should be performing better as a program than they currently are. When you can be inconsistent and play terrible defense, your floor can be pretty low.

9. WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEERS

It won’t be the easiest finishing stretch for West Virginia and the injury bug may have just enough time to catch up to them. The Mountaineers could be sweating it out by the time Selection Sunday arrives.

10. CINCINNATI BEARCATS

The biggest disappointment to start conference play was Cincinnati. They had lost just once before going to Kansas State. Then they lost eight of ten. But Wes Miller’s squad has rebounded nicely, three straight double-digit wins over gettable teams is a start. A lot of resume strengthening can be done with what is left, but it could also dash the NCAA Tournament hopes for good.

UP NEXT

🗓️ 02/15 at BYU
📄 https://t.co/JnOcob5FGD pic.twitter.com/h1cGykbqnz

— K-State Men's Basketball (@KStateMBB) February 14, 2025

11. TCU HORNED FROGS

They almost lost at home to Oklahoma State, but got a miracle-tipped pass and three to fall. Currently 6-7, could this be the year they finally finish above .500 in Big 12 play? It hasn’t happened since joining the league in 2012-2013.

12. UCF KNIGHTS

I had UCF on probation a few weeks ago. They were playing better than others to be recognized, but I didn’t fully trust it. That is proving to be right. They haven’t won a game since January 25th and outside of a surprise Big 12 opening win in Lubbock, they have only beaten bottom feeders at home.

13. UTAH UTES

They could switch with UCF, but I think the Knights have a higher chance of beating you if their pieces come together. They get a dose of the Sunflower State this weekend. Kansas on Saturday, Kansas State on Monday.

14. OKLAHOMA STATE COWBOYS

They are trying to fight for Steve Lutz. This program just feels broken and a long way from ever being competitive in the Big 12.

15. ARIZONA STATE SUN DEVILS

Heartbreaking losses in the last week to Kansas State and Texas Tech, plus a loss to Oklahoma State with minimal players available is peak Bobby Hurley basketball. The gist is that they find ways to lose games, and that is the mark of a bad team.

16. COLORADO BUFFALOES

They are terrible. 0-13 is inexcusable with how random any one basketball game can be. It has been 5,459 days since the Buffs won a Big 12 Conference game.