2021-22 Big 12 Basketball Power Rankings: Preseason

Big 12 basketball power rankings entering week 1 of college basketball.

Matchup to watch: Texas vs Gonzaga

Sneaky good matchup of the week: West Virginia vs Pittsburgh

1) Kansas Jayhawks

Last Week Ranking: N/A (-)

Record: 0-0 

Next Week: Michigan State (11/9/21), Tarleton State (11/12/21)

The #3 team in the country will look to continue its Big 12 dominance with an opening day matchup. Despite no number next to their name, Michigan State is still a top 30 team in the country and should lead to a competitive matchup against Kansas. After that, Kansas will get its home opener against Tarleton State. 

2) Texas Longhorns

Last Week Ranking: N/A (-)

Record: 0-0

Next Week: Houston Baptist (11/9/21), #1 Gonzaga (11/13/21)

Many people are saying that Texas is actually the best team in the Big 12, and they will have an opportunity to prove how good they might be in arguably the best matchup of Week 1 against Gonzaga. Before that, the Longhorns will get a bye game as a team with loads of new talent and coaching attempt to build as much chemistry before the Gonzaga matchup. 

3) Baylor Bears

Last Week Ranking: N/A (-)

Record: 0-0

Next Week: Incarnate Word (11/12/21)

The Baylor Bears begin their title defense with a highly anticipated matchup against… Incarnate Word. This will certainly not be a must-watch by any means but it should be entertaining to see how guys like Matthew Mayer and Adam Flagler adjust to their increased role. 

4) Oklahoma State Cowboys

Last Week Ranking:  N/A (-)

Record: 0-0

Next Week: UT Arlington (11/9/21), Oakland (11/12/21), Prarie View A&M (11/14/21)

Just because Oklahoma State has a postseason ban doesn’t mean you should underestimate this team. They will play with more fire if anything and that’s what will make them fun to watch. Neither team should pose a threat to Oklahoma State, so it will be more of how dominant they look to determine their stature. 

5) Texas Tech Red Raiders

Last Week Ranking: N/A (-)

Record:  0-0

Next Week: North Florida (11/9/21), Grambling State (11/12/21)

Texas Tech made a big-time announcement on Sunday when they announced that their star player Terrence Shannon will be held out during eligibility review. Luckily for the Red Raiders, they don’t play a power conference team until December, but it will be interesting regardless to see which players can step up in his absence. 

6) Oklahoma Sooners

Last Week Ranking:  N/A (-)

Record: 0-0

Next Week: Northwestern State (11/9/21), UTSA (11/12/21)

Like Texas, this team faces a new team and new coach so these games will be treated as chemistry games. If this was football, UTSA vs Oklahoma would be the game of the week, but unfortunately for both teams, this isn’t the case. 

7) West Virginia Mountaineers

Last Week Ranking: N/A (-)

Record: 0-0

Next Week: Oakland (11/9/21), Pittsburgh (11/12/21) 

This is the first Big 12 mutuals matchup, as both them and Oklahoma State will play Oakland and give a basis for rankings. West Virginia loses a lot of talent, but so does Pittsburgh making this a potentially interesting matchup. 

8) TCU Horned Frogs

Last Week Ranking: N/A (-)

Record: 0-0

Next Week: McNeese State (11/11/21)

TCU ended last season at #8, and all signs point towards them staying there this year. TCU only gets one game this week, where we’ll get to see the talented Mike Miles.

9) Kansas State Wildcats

Last Week Ranking: N/A (-)

Record: 0-0

Next Week: Florida A&M (11/10/21)

Kansas State is the only Big 12 team playing on Wednesday, so those of you who only watch the Big 12 will get to see them play. Many people think Kansas State is the biggest sleeper in the Big 12, so this will be a good start to see if this can be the case.

10) Iowa State Cyclones

Last Week Ranking: N/A (-)

Record: 0-0

Next Week: Kennesaw State (11/9/21), Oregon State (11/12/21)

Iowa State finds themselves at the bottom once again, but they can earn some respect if they beat Oregon State this week. Oregon State is by no means the Elite 8 team from last year but is still considered the heavy favorite. A win against a Power 6 conference team will be enough to bump them up a spot next week if they can pull it off.