2023-24 Big 12 Basketball Power Rankings: Week 16

Sneaky good matchup of the week: Baylor at BYU (Feb. 20 – 9 p.m.)

All games listed are EST

1) Iowa State Cyclones

Last week’s ranking: 1 (-)

Record: 20-5 (9-3)

Last week: W at Cincinnati (68-59), W vs. Texas Tech (82-74)

Next week: at #2 Houston (Feb. 19 – 9 p.m.), vs. West Virginia (Feb. 24 – 2 p.m.)

Quality wins: Kansas, Houston, TCU (x2), at Texas, at Cincinnati, Texas Tech

Bad losses: N/A

Seed projection: 2 seed (Matty Brackets) 3 seed (ESPN, CBS Sports)

It’s pretty surprising how little respect this Iowa State team gets from the media. After yet another 2-0 week, they have now won four in a row and seven of their last eight in the most difficult conference in college basketball. They don’t make too many mistakes, and play as a team. No one on the team is selfish, and they understand the hot hand early and use it to their advantage.

Iowa State has by far their toughest matchup of the season coming up, going on the road to Houston for a Big Monday matchup. This will hopefully put them on the national stage and show the world how special this team can be in March. If this doesn’t happen, at least they get to play West Virginia, a team that’s 0-6 on the road this season, at Hilton Collesium.

2) Houston Cougars

Last week’s ranking: 2 (-)

Record: 22-3 (9-3)

Last week: W vs. Texas (82-61)

Next week: vs. #6 Iowa State (Feb. 19 – 9 p.m.), at #11 Baylor (Feb. 24 – Noon)

Quality wins: at BYU, Dayton, Texas Tech, Texas (x2), Texas A&M, Utah, at Cincinnati

Bad losses: N/A

Seed projection: 1 seed (Matty Brackets, CBS Sports, ESPN)

It appears that Houston and Iowa State have separated themselves from the rest of the Big 12 at this point. Many people thought this game against Texas would be close after their previous matchup, but Houston quickly silenced those doubters before exploding for a 21-point home win. Jamal Shead and LJ Cryer continue to shine, and while the defense isn’t necessarily as good as we saw in non-conference play, it’s still the best of the best in college.

With Purdue losing, the #2 overall one seed is up for grabs, and Houston has a tremendous opportunity to take it this week. They get Iowa State at home, then face Baylor on the road. If they win both of those, it will be hard to turn down that resume at this point of the season.

3) Baylor Bears

Last week’s ranking: 4 (+1)

Record: 19-6 (8-4)

Last week: W vs. #25 Oklahoma (79-62), W at West Virginia (94-81)

Next week: at #25 BYU (Feb. 20 – 9 p.m.), vs. #2 Houston (Feb. 24 – Noon)

Quality wins: Iowa State, Auburn, BYU, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Florida, Seton Hall, Cincinnati

Bad losses: N/A

Seed projection: 3 seed (CBS Sports, Matty Brackets, ESPN)

After the 3-3 start to conference play, Baylor has been red hot, winning five of their last six. Nunn was unbelievable against Oklahoma, making nearly every shot in the first half to give Baylor enough of a cushion over Oklahoma to not make it a game. Walter was great against West Virginia, but the Mountaineers don’t really defend so that’s not saying much.

Like Houston, Baylor has their toughest week of the season to date. First a road matchup against BYU, which is a very tough place to play with the elevation. Then, a home matchup against Houston that we mentioned earlier.

4) Kansas Jayhawks

Last week’s ranking: 3 (-1)

Record: 20-6 (8-5)

Last week: L at Texas Tech (50-79), W at Oklahoma (67-57)

Next week: vs. Texas (Feb. 24 – 6 p.m.)

Quality wins: UConn, Houston, Tennessee, Baylor, Kentucky, TCU, Oklahoma (x2), at Indiana

Bad losses: at UCF, at West Virginia

Seed projection: 2 seed (ESPN, CBS Sports), 3 seed (Matty Brackets)

Kansas showed zero fight against Texas Tech, going down early and never getting into that game. They were clearly banged up and not fully healed from their matchup against Baylor just two days before, and it showed. Kevin McCullar was out, Dajuan Harris was banged up, and Hunter Dickinson and KJ Adams were missing shots they normally make. They looked much more like the Kansas Jayhawks on Saturday, when they went on the road to Oklahoma and beat them by 10. McCullar was back, and Dickinson grabbed 16 rebounds to go along with his twenty points.

This week of rest is going to be massive for the Jayhawks. Having time to recover should hopefully make a difference. Texas is in must-win mode, so they’re going to throw everything at the Jayhawks on Saturday, but as we all know, you need to play perfectly and then some to win at Allen Fieldhouse.

5) Texas Tech Red Raiders

Last week’s ranking: 6 (+1)

Record: 18-7 (7-5)

Last week: W vs. #6 Kansas (79-50), L at #10 Iowa State (74-82)

Next week: vs. TCU (Feb. 20 – 9 p.m.), at UCF (Feb. 24 – 4 p.m.)

Quality wins: Kansas, at Oklahoma, at Texas, BYU, Kansas State

Bad losses: N/A

Seed projection: 6 seed (Matty Brackets, ESPN, CBS Sports)

As we just mentioned, Texas Tech put their best showing of the season forth on Monday against Kansas, blowing them out of the water and never looking back. Darrion Williams had 30 points without missing a single shot, an impressive performance that few have done in college basketball history. They looked a lot different against Iowa State, and despite the score saying they only lost by eight, that was only due to a late run by the team.

They continue to climb up in seeding, now up to a six-seed and only face one currently ranked team the rest of the season (Baylor in the final game). They have a serious opportunity to go on a run and end the season on a high note, but they’ll need to win on the road to do so. They are just 2-5 away from United Supermarkets arena and can improve that with a win at UCF on Saturday.

6) TCU Horned Frogs

Last week’s ranking: 7 (+1)

Record: 18-7 (7-5)

Last week: W vs. West Virginia (81-65), W at Kansas State (75-72)

Next week: at Texas Tech (Feb. 20 – 9 p.m.), vs. Cincinnati (Feb. 24 – 3 p.m.)

Quality wins: at Baylor, Houston, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, at Kansas State

Bad losses: N/A

Seed projection: 8 seed (Matty Brackets, CBS), 10 seed (ESPN)

One name: Jameer Nelson Jr. The son of the former elite Magic guard hit an enormous three pointer with seconds remaining to give TCU a road win against Kansas State. TCU are 5-3 on the road this season, the best record in the Big 12. TCU is now 2-0 since moving Nelson Jr. to the starting lineup in place of Avery Anderson, and don’t expect a switch anytime soon.

Finishing top 4 is so important this year in the Big 12 in order to receive the double bye in the tournament., Right now, TCU is just a half-game out of the 4th spot. They can make another push this week if they go 2-0 again, and they have a decent opportunity with a road game at Texas Tech and a home game against Cincinnati.

7) BYU Cougars

Last week’s ranking: 8 (+1)

Record: 18-7 (6-6)

Last week: W vs. UCF (90-88), L at Oklahoma State (83-93)

Next week: vs. #11 Baylor (Feb. 20 – 9 p.m.), at Kansas State (Feb. 24 – 2 p.m.)

Quality wins: Iowa State, San Diego State, Texas, NC State

Bad losses: N/A

Seed projection: 5 seed (Matty Brackets, ESPN), 7 seed (CBS)

Rule #1 of the Big 12, don’t lose to Oklahoma State. BYU did that and by double digits. They’re going to have to be better on defense because giving up to 93 an Oklahoma State offense that averages the 215th most points per game in the country just won’t get it done. BYU still sits comfortably in the bracket but has a tough week ahead of them. If they can keep going 1-1 each week, that should be enough for them to sit comfortably in March.

8) Texas Longhorns

Last week’s ranking: 9 (+1)

Record: 16-9 (5-7)

Last week: L at #3 Houston (61-82)

Next week: vs. Kansas State (Feb. 19 – 9 p.m.), at #9 Kansas (Feb. 24 – 6 p.m.)

Quality wins: Baylor, at TCU, at Oklahoma, at Cincinnati

Bad losses: at West Virginia, UCF

Seed projection: 8 seed (Matty Brackets, ESPN), 10 seed (CBS)

Texas can just throw this week in the trash. This game was ugly, and Texas was never really in it. Dylan Disu has been incredible, but everyone else has been underwhelming. The guards need to step up if they want to sit comfortably in March. They get to play the two Kansas teams this week, although probably not in the venues they want, with the Kansas State game being at home while the KU game on the road.

9) Oklahoma Sooners

Last week’s ranking: 5 (-4)

Record: 18-8 (6-7)

Last week: L at #12 Baylor (62-79), L vs #6 Kansas (57-67)

Next week: at Oklahoma State (Feb. 24 – 4 p.m.)

Quality wins: Iowa State, at Cincinnati, BYU, Providence

Bad losses: N/A

Seed projection: 5 seed (Matty Brackets), 6 seed (CBS), 7 seed (ESPN)

It feels like every time Oklahoma gets hot, they drop two in a row. We knew this was going to be a tough week, facing two top-25 teams, but they couldn’t capitalize. They are definitely a little banged up, so just one game this week should be beneficial for the team. Plus, that game is against Oklahoma State, so hopefully they can complete the season sweep against their rival.

10) Cincinnati Bearcats

Last week’s ranking: 10 (-)

Record: 16-9 (5-7)

Last week: L vs. #10 Iowa State (59-68) W at UCF (76-74)

Next week: vs. Oklahoma State (Feb. 21 – 7 p.m.), at TCU (Feb. 24 – 3 p.m.)

Quality wins: at BYU, at Texas Tech, TCU

Bad losses: at West Virginia

Seed projection: First Four Out (ESPN, Matty Brackets), OUT (CBS)

As you can see, Cincy is now out of the tournament. They drop another resume booster, losing to Iowa State at home, and now face a schedule that may see them win a few games, but not many that can help them. They need to win four of their last six now, plus a game or two in the Big 12 tournament to make it. They are good enough, and they have hung close with some of the best teams in the conference, but just never seem to close it out.

Beating TCU on the road on Saturday would be enormous. Hopefully, Dan Skillings Jr. will have enough in him to lead them past the Horned Frogs and back into the field of 68.

11) Kansas State Wildcats

Last week’s ranking: 11 (-)

Record: 15-10 (5-7)

Last week: L vs. TCU (72-75)

Next week: at Texas (Feb. 19 – 9 p.m.), vs. #25 BYU (Feb. 24 – 2 p.m.)

Quality wins: Kansas, Baylor, Providence, Villanova

Bad losses: at Oklahoma State

Seed Projections: OUT (Matty Brackets, ESPN, CBS)

After a 4-1 conference play start, Kansas State are now 1-6 in the last seven. They lost in the most heartbreaking way on Saturday, losing on a last-second shot at home. There is still a path for Kansas State, but they need to start winning soon, and can’t afford to drop any games they are supposed to win. Going 2-0 this week would be a great start, but they’ll have to do it against two teams who are also trying to win games and boost their late-season resumes in Texas and BYU.

12) UCF Knights

Last week’s ranking: 11 (-1)

Record: 13-11 (4-8)

Last week: L at #19 BYU (88-90), L vs. Cincinnati (74-76)

Next week: at West Virginia (Feb. 20 – 7 p.m.), vs. #23 Texas Tech (Feb. 24 – 4 p.m.)

Quality wins: Kansas, at Texas, Oklahoma

Bad losses: Stetson

Seed Projection: OUT (Matty Brackets, ESPN, CBS)

Unfortunately for UCF, it seems like the feel-good story is over, as they now sit at 4-8 and just a game ahead of last place in conference play. They probably had the most painful two results in the country, losing both games by just 2 points. Had those gone the other way, we’d be having a much different conversation right now. Two of UCF’s next three games are against West Virginia and Oklahoma State. If they win both of those, they can safely not finish in last, but with their recent luck, that is no guarantee.

13) Oklahoma State Cowboys

Last week’s ranking: 14 (+1)

Record: 11-14 (3-9)

Last week: W vs. #19 BYU (93-83)

Next week: at Cincinnati (Feb. 21 – 7 p.m.), vs. Oklahoma (Feb. 24 – 4 p.m.)

Quality wins: BYU

Bad losses: Abilene Christian, Southern Illinois

Seed Projections: OUT (Matty Brackets, ESPN, CBS)

Oklahoma State played their best game of the season and finally earned a quality win, beating BYU by 10. Jamyron Keller, who only scored double digits once in conference play previously, went for 22 on 8-8 shooting and 4-4 from three. They’ve quietly won two of their last four and could play spoiler to several of their upcoming opponents. Cincinnati and Oklahoma sure hope not, but if they continue to play like this they can end the season strong and possibly save Mike Bonyton’s job.

14) West Virginia Mountaineers

Last week’s ranking: 13 (-1)

Record: 8-15 (3-9)

Last week: L at TCU (65-81), L vs. #12 Baylor (81-94)

Next week: vs. UCF (Feb. 20 – 7 p.m.), at #6 Iowa State (Feb. 24 – 2 p.m.)

Quality wins: Kansas, Texas, Cincinnati

Bad losses: Monmouth, UMass

Seed Projections: OUT (Matty Brackets, ESPN, CBS)

Oh, West Virginia. What more is there to say at this point? West Virginia has now lost six of their last seven since the upset over Kansas, and have lost by double digits in all four of their February matchups. Hopefully, West Virginia can win one more game this season, but at this point, it doesn’t feel likely.

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