2023-24 Big 12 Basketball Power Rankings: Week 5

Ariel Puterman gives his Big 12 basketball power rankings heading into week 5 of the 2023 season.

Matchup of the week: #16 Texas vs. #3 Marquette 

Sneaky good matchup of the week: #19 BYU at Utah

All games listed are EST

1) Kansas Jayhawks

Last week’s ranking: 3 (+2)

Record: 7-1

Last week: W vs. Eastern Illinois (71-63), W vs. #4 UConn (69-65)

Next week: vs. Kansas City (Dec. 5 – 8 p.m.), vs. Missouri (Dec. 9 – 5:15 p.m.)

Quality wins: UConn, Kentucky, Tennessee

Bad losses: N/A

What an interesting week for the Jayhawks. They started with a game against Eastern Illinois where they were favored by 38.5. Let’s just say the game was a lot closer than that. It was definitely a lookahead game, and they came back on Friday with significant improvement, taking down the defending national champions at home. The Jayhawks have more wins against Top 25 teams than the entire Big 12 combined, a crazy stat.

Up next, back-to-back border showdowns, as they’ll take on two Missouri schools. Although the game might not be close, make sure to watch the game on Saturday, as rivalry games are always a treat.

2) Houston Cougars

Last week’s ranking: 1 (-1)

Record: 8-0

Last week: W at Xavier (66-60)

Next week: vs. Rice (Dec. 6 – 8 p.m.), vs. Jackson State (Dec. 9 – 4 p.m.)

Quality wins: Utah, Xavier, Dayton

Bad losses: N/A

There have been two consistents for Houston the past few weeks. First, the defense will be there no matter what, as they extend their streak of games not allowing 70 points or more. Second, LJ Cryer will lead them in scoring, which he’s done in five of the past six games. Xavier was their first true road test, and they passed, but not by much. Luckily for them, they’ll improve their record to 10-0 this week barring a monumental upset.

3) BYU Cougars

Last week’s ranking: 2 (-1)

Record: 7-0

Last week: W vs. Fresno State (85-56)

Next week: Evansville (Dec. 5 – 9 p.m.), at Utah (Dec. 9 – 7 p.m.)

Quality wins: San Diego State, Arizona State, NC State

Bad losses: N/A

BYU keeps on winning, remaining as one of the best surprises in this first month of the season. The offense has been really impressive. They are 6th in the country in points per game, and the defense has been great as well. They have arguably their hardest game of the season this week, going to their in-state rivals Utah and facing them on Saturday.

4) Baylor Bears

Last week’s ranking: 4 (-)

Record: 8-0

Last week: W vs. Nicholls (108-70), W vs. Northwestern State (91-40)

Next week: vs. Seton Hall (Dec. 5 – 9 p.m.)

Quality wins: Auburn, Florida, Oregon State

Bad losses: N/A

Baylor played two teams that they should blow out and did just that, winning both games by over 35. The Bears have had a different leading scorer in the past five games, and are ranked #1 in Kenpom in offensive efficiency. They face another Power Conference opponent in Seton Hall this week, but not one that should pose a threat.

5) Oklahoma Sooners

Last week’s ranking: 5 (-)

Record: 7-0

Last week: W vs Arkansas Pine-Bluff (107-86)

Next week: vs. Providence (Dec. 5 – 7 p.m.), vs. Arkansas (Dec 9 – 4 p.m.)

Quality wins: Iowa, USC

Bad losses: N/A

Oklahoma played in an absolute shootout against Pine-Bluff, with the teams combining for nearly 200 points. Their schedule to date hasn’t been too difficult, one of the key reasons for the undefeated start, but that changes this week. They face two good Power 6 opponents, including an Arkansas team coming off a win against Duke last week. If they win both of these, it could be time to start having legitimate talks about this Sooner team’s potential.

6) Cincinnati Bearcats

Last week’s ranking: 8 (+2)

Record: 7-0

Last week: W at Howard (86-81 OT), W vs. Florida Gulf Coast (99-62)

Next week: at Xavier (Dec. 9 – 6:30 p.m.)

Quality wins: Georgia Tech

Bad losses: N/A

The Bearcats had a rare road game against a mid-major opponent, and it’s safe to say they might not do that again. Howard took them to overtime, where Cincy eventually won, then blew out FGCU to close out the week. Viktor Lakhin was the player of the week, scoring 19 points in both games. They have their biggest matchup of the season this weekend when they go on the road and face Xavier, a team that nearly beat Houston last week.

7) Texas Longhorns

Last week’s ranking: 7 (-)

Record: 6-1

Last week: W vs Texas State (77-58)

Next week: at #3 Marquette (Dec. 6 – 8 p.m.), vs. Houston Christian (Dec. 9 – 3 p.m.)

Quality wins: N/A

Bad losses: N/A

Texas hasn’t proved anything this season and hasn’t really had the opportunity to do so. That changes this week, when they go to Marquette and face off in their biggest matchup of the season. This is the same Marquette team who crushed Kansas on a neutral court. This is their last big opportunity before conference play, so a win can reinforce the belief that the Longhorns can be a championship contender in March.

8) TCU Horned Frogs

Last week’s ranking: 6 (-2)

Record: 7-0

Last week: W vs. Houston Christian (101-64), W at Georgetown (84-83)

Next week: vs. Clemson (Dec. 9 – 4 p.m.)

Quality wins: Georgetown

Bad losses: N/A

TCU had their toughest matchup of the season, which shouldn’t have been that tough, but it took a last second miracle to beat Georgetown. TCU is undefeated, and you can’t punish them for that, but the near loss against Georgetown definitely raises concerns. They will have a chance to make a statement on Saturday when they take on a fellow undefeated team in Clemson.

TCU BUZZER BEATER TO “WIN” THE GAME.

This was reviewed and showed he was out of bounds before the shot went up, but couldn’t be changed. pic.twitter.com/IA5J3ttyWu

— College Basketball Review (@CbbReview) December 3, 2023

9) Iowa State Cyclones

Last week’s ranking: 11 (+2)

Record: 6-2

Last week: W at DePaul (99-80)

Next week: vs. Iowa (Dec. 7 – 7:30 p.m.), vs. Prairie View A&M (Dec. 10 – 1 p.m.)

Quality wins: VCU

Bad losses: N/A

This week looked like it could be really bad for the Cyclones when they only led the 1-6 DePaul Blue Demons by 4 at half. Then, they pulled away, winning easily thanks to a triple-double by Tamin Lipsey. They’ll join some of their fellow Big 12 basketball teams in competing in rivalry week, taking on Iowa on Thursday for a chance at their biggest win of the season.

10) Texas Tech Red Raiders

Last week’s ranking: 9 (-1)

Record: 5-2

Last week: L at Butler (103-95 OT)

Next week: vs. Omaha (Dec. 6 – 8 p.m.)

Quality wins: Michigan

Bad losses: N/A

Texas Tech played their first true road game of the season, and lost to a decent Butler squad. Grant McCasland has always been a defense-first coach, so seeing his team allow over 100 is definitely a surprise. After their MTE and their first road game, they get a week to relax, taking on Omaha on Tuesday.

11) Kansas State Wildcats

Last week’s ranking: 10 (-1)

Record: 6-2

Last week: W vs. Oral Roberts (88-78 OT), W vs. North Alabama (75-74 OT)

Next week: vs. #18 Villanova (Dec. 5 – 7 p.m.), at LSU (Dec. 9 – 1:30 p.m)

Quality wins: Providence

Bad losses: N/A

This should have been an easy week for Kansas State, and it was far from that. Both games went into overtime and they really should have lost both in regulation. That performance won’t cut it this week, as they’ll take on two power conference opponents. This week will be a clear indication of whether this can be a Top 5 team come conference play, or if they’ll remain around this spot throughout the season.

12) UCF Knights

Last week’s ranking: 14 (+2)

Record: 5-2

Last week: W vs. Lipscomb (72-57)

Next week: vs. Jacksonville (Dec. 6 – 7 p.m.), vs. Ole Miss (Dec. 10 – 4 p.m.)

Quality wins: N/A

Bad losses: Stetson

UCF played a mid-major and beat them easily, as they should have after losing to Stetson last week. UCF should go 1-1 this week, but if they can keep things interesting with Ole Miss that will say a lot about this team.

13) West Virginia Mountaineers

Last week’s ranking: 12 (-1)

Record: 3-4

Last week: L vs. St. Johns (79-73)

Next week: vs. Pittsburgh (Dec. 6 – 9 p.m.), vs. Drexel (Dec. 9 – 4 p.m.)

Quality wins: N/A

Bad losses: Monmouth

West Virginia had a shot to beat St John’s, trailing by just two points with two minutes to go. They were unable to do so, meaning they fall under .500 on the season. This will be the final week with Kriisa, so if they can go 2-0 this week, that will be a huge boost for the Mountaineers.

14) Oklahoma State Cowboys

Last week’s ranking: 13 (-1)

Record: 3-4

Last week: L vs Creighton (79-65)

Next week: at Southern Illinois (Dec. 5 – 9 p.m.), vs. Tulsa (Dec. 10 – 6:30 p.m.)

Quality wins: N/A

Bad losses: Abilene Christian, Notre Dame

Oklahoma State welcomed Creighton to their home, and Creighton did not treat them with respect, crushing them and pushing Oklahoma State to below .500. The Cowboys have an interesting situation next week. They face 5-2 Southern Illinois on the road this week, something that isn’t very uncommon. If they lose either of the two games this week, don’t be surprised if Mike Boynton gets the boot.

Week 4 Big 12 Basketball Power Rankings

Week 3 Big 12 Basketball Power Rankings

Week 2 Big 12 Basketball Power Rankings