2023-24 Big 12 Basketball Power Rankings: Week 10

Ariel Puterman gives his Big 12 basketball power rankings heading into week 10 of the 2023-24 season.

Matchup of the week: #9 Oklahoma at #3 Kansas

Sneaky good matchup of the week: Kansas State vs. West Virginia

All games listed are EST

1) Houston Cougars

Last week’s ranking: 2 (+1)

Record: 14-0 (1-0)

Last week: W vs. West Virginia (89-55)

Next week: vs. at Iowa State (Jan. 9 – 7 p.m.), at TCU (Jan. 13 – 6 p.m.)

Quality wins: Utah, Texas A&M, Dayton, at Xavier

Bad losses: N/A

Only one undefeated team remains in the country, and that is the Houston Cougars. They earned that title in dominant fashion, obliterating West Virginia at home. This team is so unbelievably talented on both sides of the field, and at the moment, it looks like the team to beat in the Big 12. This week might be the toughest of the season though as they’ll travel to Iowa State, where they are known to have a massive home-court advantage, then a TCU team looking for a signature win after they couldn’t do so against the Jayhawks.

2) Kansas Jayhawks

Last week’s ranking: 1 (-1)

Record: 13-1 (1-0)

Last week: W vs. TCU (83-81)

Next week: at UCF (Jan. 10 – 7 p.m.), vs. #9 Oklahoma (Jan. 13 – 2 p.m.)

Quality wins: UConn, Kentucky, Tennessee, at Indiana, TCU, Missouri

Bad losses: N/A

The Jayhawks definitely win for most controversial win of the week. Late in the game, it seemed like TCU forced a turnover up 2 and were in position to take control of the game, but an elbow to Hunter Dickinson’s face warranted a flagrant foul call, which put Kansas in a position to win. Was it a flagrant? You can decide, but a win is a win. Up next, a road game against UCF that should cause no concern, then they welcome Oklahoma to Allen Fieldhouse for the best Big 12 basketball game to date.

3) Oklahoma Sooners

Last week’s ranking: 3 (-)

Record: 13-1 (1-0)

Last week: W vs. Iowa State (71-63)

Next week: at TCU (Jan. 10 – 9 p.m.), at #3 Kansas (Jan. 13 – 3 p.m.)

Quality wins: Providence, Arkansas, Iowa State, Iowa

Bad losses: N/A

There is a clear top 2 in the Big 12 and a clear bottom 2. 3-12 are up for debate. Right now, it’s Oklahoma, who picked up a nice win against Iowa State. It was a battle, with the game being tied with 4:10 to go, but Oklahoma used a 14-5 run to end the game and come out on top. This team continues to find ways to win, and they’ll need to do so this week on their road trip. They’ll face TCU and Kansas, two talented teams.

4) Baylor Bears

Last week’s ranking: 5 (+1)

Record: 12-2 (1-0)

Last week: W vs. Cornell (98-79), W at Oklahoma State (75-70, OT)

Next week: vs. #18 BYU (Jan. 9 – 9 p.m.), vs. Cincinnati (Jan. 13 – 8 p.m.)

Quality wins: Auburn, Seton Hall, Florida

Bad losses: N/A

It took a little more time than they wanted, but Baylor was able to pick up an overtime win against Oklahoma State. RayJ Dennis looked great, and starting off conference play with a win is a great feeling, especially after their 0-3 start last year. Up next, back to back home games, starting with a matchup against a BYU team looking for redemption after their loss to Cincinnati on Saturday.

5) Texas Tech Red Raiders

Last week’s ranking: 9 (+4)

Record: 12-2 (1-0)

Last week: W vs. North Alabama (85-57), W at #20 Texas (78-67)

Next week: vs. Oklahoma State (Jan. 9 – 8 p.m.), vs. Kansas State (Jan. 13 – 4 p.m.)

Quality wins: at Texas

Bad losses: N/A

Despite the score being relatively close, it never really felt like Texas had a chance to win. We all know there’s bad blood between these two teams after the whole Chris Beard situation, so Red Raiders fans have to be extra thrilled with the result. Pop Isaacs is figuring it out, scoring 20+ in three straight games. There are some off-the-court issues with him, so that is something to monitor as well. Up next, are two home games that should be exciting to watch.

6) Kansas State Wildcats

Last week’s ranking: 8 (+2)

Record: 11-3 (1-0)

Last week: W vs. Chicago State (62-55), W vs. UCF (77-52)

Next week: at West Virginia (Jan. 9 – 7 p.m.), at Texas Tech (Jan. 13 – 4 p.m.)

Quality wins: Villanova, Providence

Bad losses: N/A

Only two conference games weren’t close this weekend, and the Wildcats were responsible for one of them. They dominated UCF, led by Tylor Perry’s 25 point performance. This was probably the best they’ve looked all season, which is encouraging. They head on the road this week to face West Virginia, then Texas Tech.

7) Cincinnati Bearcats

Last week’s ranking: 10 (+3)

Record: 12-2 (1-0)

Last week: W at #12 BYU (71-60)

Next week: vs. #25 Texas (Jan. 9 – 7 p.m.), at #14 Baylor (Jan. 13 – 8 p.m.)

Quality wins: at BYU, Georgia Tech

Bad losses: N/A

You may notice the winners this weekend are the top 7 in the power rankings, and the losers are the bottom 7. That is solely because the teams had such a weak resume before conference play that their losing pushes the victors above them. So, don’t blame me, blame these teams for not scheduling harder.

The Bearcats were one of those, as their best win went from Georgia Tech to BYU on the road. They looked great and held one of the best offensive teams in the country to just 60 points at home. The Bearcats have a lot of talent, and this was the first time they really showed it off. The Big 12 basketball gauntlet continues though, as they’ll face Texas and Baylor this week, two teams with an immense load of talent.

8) BYU Cougars

Last week’s ranking: 4 (-4)

Record: 12-2 (0-1)

Last week: L vs. Cincinnati (71-60)

Next week: at #14 Baylor (Jan. 9 – 9 p.m), at UCF (Jan. 13 – 4 p.m.)

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

Bad losses: N/A

In the Big 12, when you’re supposed to win a game and you don’t, that’s never ideal. That happened for BYU, as they last by double digits at home against Cincinnati in a game that they were favored to win by 10.5. Trevin Knell scored nearly half their points. Luckily, that SDSU win is still holding strong, and Arizona State is now 4-0 in Pac-12 play which will bump up their resume. They’ll have a tough road matchup against Baylor this week, then should beat UCF on the road.

9) TCU Horned Frogs

Last week’s ranking: 11 (+2)

Record: 10-2 (0-1)

Last week: W vs. Texas A&M-Commerce (77-42), L at #2 Kansas (83-81)

Next week: vs. #9 Oklahoma (Jan. 10 – 9 p.m.), vs. #2 Houston (Jan. 13 – 6 p.m.)

Quality wins: Arizona State

Bad losses: N/A

Every game in Big 12 play is so important, and losing the way they did was heartbreaking. The calls didn’t go their way, and instead of starting conference play 1-0 with their best win being on the road against Kansas, they’re 0-1 with their best win being Arizona State.

The good news is two of their talented players had breakout games this week, with Udeh going for 13 points and 18 rebounds in the first game and Trevian Tennyson dropping a season-high 24 in the second. TCU is in serious danger of starting 0-3, as they’ll take on two top-10 teams this week. Hopefully, the home-court advantage can will them to victory.

10) Iowa State Cyclones

Last week’s ranking: 7 (-3)

Record: 11-3 (0-1)

Last week: L at #11 Oklahoma (71-63)

Next week: vs. #2 Houston (Jan. 9 – 7 p.m.), vs. Oklahoma State (Jan. 13 – 6 p.m.)

Quality wins: Iowa, VCU

Bad losses: N/A

Iowa State was so close to taking down Oklahoma, and maybe they would on a neutral or home court, but they couldn’t perform in crunch time, leading to a 0-1 start in Big 12 basketball play. Tamin Lipsey really struggled, going 1-for-10 from the field and fouling out. He’s been very underwhelming against power conference opponents this year, so hopefully he can turn it around. The Cyclones have a big opportunity for a statement win against Houston this week, but if not then a winnable game against Oklahoma State at home.

11) Texas Longhorns

Last week’s ranking: 6 (-5)

Record: 11-3 (0-1)

Last week: W vs. UT Arlington (79-62), L vs. Texas Tech (78-67)

Next week: at Cincinnati (Jan. 9 – 7 p.m.), at West Virginia (Jan. 13 – 6 p.m.)

Quality wins: LSU

Bad losses: N/A

The Longhorns have definitely been the biggest disappointment in Big 12 basketball, leading many to ask whether keeping Rodney Terry was the right decision. They still only have one quality win and just lost a home game to their rival Texas Tech. They need to go 2-0 this week, or things can start to go downhill fast. They have the talent, they just need to prove that against a quality opponent, something they’ve failed to do so far.

12) Oklahoma State Cowboys

Last week’s ranking: 12 (-)

Record: 8-6 (0-1)

Last week: W vs. Chicago State (72-53), L vs. #18 Baylor (75-70, OT)

Next week: at Texas Tech (Jan. 9 – 8  p.m.), at Iowa State (Jan. 13 – 6 p.m.)

Quality wins: N/A

Bad losses: Abilene Christian, Notre Dame, Southern Illinois

With one minute and 56 seconds left, Oklahoma State took a four-point lead on a Brandon Garrison jumper. This was their opportunity to get the win and start 2024 on the right foot. Instead, they allowed a four point play, which eventually led to an overtime loss. The little things have haunted them all season, and did so again on Saturday. Now, they’ll have to go on the road in back-to-back games to try to avoid an 0-3 start in the conference.

13) UCF Knights

Last week’s ranking: 13 (-)

Record: 9-4 (0-1)

Last week: L at Kansas State (77-52)

Next week: vs. #3 Kansas (Jan. 10 – 7 p.m.), vs. #18 BYU (Jan. 13 – 4 p.m.)

Quality wins: N/A

Bad losses: Stetson

Welcome to Big 12 basketball, UCF. No better introduction than a 25-point road loss. This might be a long next few months for the Knights, but hopefully, they can keep a few games close. It probably won’t come this week, as they play two top-20 teams in Kansas and BYU.

14) West Virginia Mountaineers

Last week’s ranking: 14 (-)

Record: 5-9 (0-1)

Last week: L at #3 Houston (89-55)

Next week: vs. Kansas State (Jan. 9 – 7 p.m.), vs. #25 Texas (Jan. 13 – 6 p.m.)

Quality wins: N/A

Bad losses: Monmouth, UMass

Well, that was something. The Mountaineers got embarrassed in Houston as they continued their nightmare season. At this point, they’re just trying to not finish last in the Big 12, something that’s looking less and less likely the way this season has gone.

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