Ariel Puterman gives his Big 12 basketball power rankings heading into week 16 of the 2025-26 season.
Week 15 team of the week: Texas Tech Red Raiders
Week 14 game of the week: Texas Tech over Arizona, 78-75 in OT
Week 14 player of the week: Rob Wright, BYU
Week 15 matchup of the week: Arizona vs. Houston (Feb. 21 – 3 p.m.)
Week 15 under-the-radar matchup of the week: TCU vs. UCF
1) Iowa State Cyclones
Last week’s ranking: 4 (+3)
Record: 23-3 (10-3)
Last week: L at TCU (55-62), W vs. #9 Kansas (74-56), W vs. #2 Houston (70-67)
Next week: at #23 BYU (Feb. 21 – 9:30 p.m.)
Quality wins: at Purdue, Houston, Kansas, St. John’s (Neutral), Iowa, UCF, Creighton (Neutral)
Bad losses: at Cincinnati
Projected seed: 2 seed
Hilton Magic is real. After a loss to TCU on the road, they responded with back-to-back wins over Kansas and Iowa State. The Kansas game was a more comfortable victory, but they needed every ounce of crowd energy to get past Houston. The role players are starting to step up, which is huge for their ceiling, and they sit just a game back of first place. No time to celebrate, though, as they’ll have to go to Provo and take on BYU.
2) Houston Cougars
Last week’s ranking: 3 (+1)
Record: 23-2 (11-1)
Last week: W at Utah (66-52), W vs. Kansas State (78-64), L vs. #6 Iowa State (67-70)
Next week: vs. #4 Arizona (Feb. 21 – 3 p.m.)
Quality wins: Texas Tech, Arkansas (Neutral), at BYU, at TCU, UCF, Auburn (Neutral)
Bad losses: None
Projected seed: 1-2 seed
Some things just never change, and Houston has found their way back in first place in the Big 12, where they belong. They’re 11-1 even though they didn’t look dominant against the two worst teams; it was never a concern. Now, after a loss to Iowa State, they’re tied for the lead and get rewarded with a game against Arizona. What a week for Houston.
3) Kansas Jayhawks
Last week’s ranking: 2 (-1)
Record: 19-6 (9-3)
Last week: W vs. #1 Arizona (82-78), L at #5 Iowa State (56-74)
Next week: at Oklahoma State (Feb. 18 – 9 p.m.), vs. Cincinnati (Feb. 21 – 1 p.m.)
Quality wins: Arizona, at Texas Tech, Iowa State, BYU, Tennessee (Neutral), at NC State, Missouri (Neutral), TCU
Bad losses: None
Projected seed: 3 seed
The Jayhawks ended Arizona’s unbeaten streak without Darryn Peterson, showcasing how magical Allen Fieldhouse can be. Flory Bidunga was a monster and has hit a second gear as of late. Unfortunately, they could not keep the magic alive, dropping to Iowa State on the road by a large margin. Peterson played in that one, but there are still a lot more questions than answers with them. They get a favorable week ahead, taking on two unranked teams in Oklahoma State and Cincinnati.
4) Arizona Wildcats
Last week’s ranking: 1 (-3)
Record: 23-2 (10-2)
Last week: L at #9 Kansas (78-82), L vs. #16 Texas Tech (75-78 OT)
Next week: vs. #23 BYU (Feb. 18 – 9 p.m.), at #2 Houston (Feb. 21 – 3 p.m.)
Quality wins: at UConn, at BYU, Florida (Neutral), Alabama (Neutral), UCLA (Neutral), San Diego State (Neutral), at UCF, at TCU, Auburn
Bad losses: None
Projected seed: 1 seed
We thought it wouldn’t happen, but Arizona went from a zero-loss team to two in just one week. These are obviously not bad losses, but definitely a wake-up call for this talented Arizona team. Koa Peat got injured in the loss to Texas Tech, so we’ll have to keep an eye on his timeline since he’s so important to this program. They get no breaks, having to face another two top 25 teams in this gauntlet of a schedule.
5) Texas Tech Red Raiders
Last week’s ranking: 5 (-)
Record: 19-6 (9-3)
Last week: W vs. Colorado (78-44), W at #1 Arizona (78-75 OT)
Next week: at Arizona State (Feb. 17 – 11 p.m.), vs. Kansas State (Feb. 21 – 2:30 p.m.)
Quality wins: at Arizona, Duke (Neutral), Houston, BYU
Bad losses: None
Projected seed: 3-4 seed
What a week for the Red Raiders. First, they obliterate Colorado, then follow that up with arguably the most impressive win in all of college basketball this season, beating Arizona at home in overtime. Toppin and Anderson continue to be monsters, and their top three wins are arguably the best of any team in college basketball. They got rewarded with an easy week as they attempt to sneak back into the Big 12 title race.
6) BYU Cougars
Last week’s ranking: 6 (-)
Record: 19-6 (7-5)
Last week: W at Baylor (99-94), W vs. Colorado (90-86 OT)
Next week: at #4 Arizona (Feb. 18 – 9 p.m.), vs. #6 Iowa State (Feb. 21 – 10:30 p.m.)
Quality wins: Clemson (Neutral), Wisconsin (Neutral), Villanova (Neutral), Miami-Fla (Neutral)
Bad losses: None
Projected seed: 6 seed
BYU got back on track with a 2-0 week after dropping four straight. Robert Wright III was unreal, scoring 30 against his former team, Baylor, then following that up with 39 in the next game. The bad news is that Richie Saunders tore his ACL and will be out for the remainder of the season. He and AJ Dybantsa are good enough, but that’s obviously a huge blow, especially when your next two games are against Arizona and Iowa State.
7) TCU Horned Frogs
Last week’s ranking: 12 (+5)
Record: 16-9 (6-6)
Last week: W vs. #5 Iowa State (62-55), W at Oklahoma State (95-92 OT)
Next week: at UCF (Feb. 17 – 7 p.m.), vs. West Virginia (Feb. 21 – 5 p.m.)
Quality wins: Iowa State, Florida (Neutral), Wisconsin (Neutral), Oklahoma State (2x)
Bad losses: New Orleans, at Colorado, at Utah
Projected seed: 11 seed / First Four Out
TCU continues to have the most head-scratching resume in the country. They added another giant win over Iowa State, giving them their third top-25 win of the season. They also have losses to New Orleans and Utah. They’re going to be in and out of bubble territory the rest of the season, and they play two teams who are in the same boat. Huge week ahead for the Horned Frogs.
8) West Virginia Mountaineers
Last week’s ranking: 8 (-)
Record: 16-9 (7-5)
Last week: W at UCF (74-67)
Next week: vs. Utah (Feb. 18 – 8:30 p.m.), at TCU (Feb. 21 – 5 p.m.)
Quality wins: Kansas, at UCF
Bad losses:
Projected seed: First Four Out / OUT
West Virginia still has some work to do, but winning at UCF was a giant step forward in their hopes to make the NCAA Tournament. They only have one more ranked matchup, and if they can go 5-1 or 4-2 in the last six games, then win a game or two in the Big 12 tournament, it might be hard not to let them in. One step at a time, though, as they’ll take on Utah and TCU this week.
9) Cincinnati Bearcats
Last week’s ranking: 9 (-)
Record: 14-12 (6-7)
Last week: W at Kansas State (91-62), W vs. Utah (69-65)
Next week: at #8 Kansas (Feb. 21 – 1 p.m.)
Quality wins: Iowa State, UCF
Bad losses: Eastern Michigan
Projected seed: OUT
Cincinnati is quietly 6-7 in conference play and is 4-2 in its last six games. They’re playing their best basketball of the season, even though they needed all 40 minutes to beat Utah. This is a team that could be sneaky in the Big 12 tournament, but they’ve got a tough week ahead of them, taking on Kansas at Allen Fieldhouse.
10) UCF Knights
Last week’s ranking: 7 (-3)
Record: 17-7 (6-6)
Last week: L vs. West Virginia (67-74)
Next week: vs. TCU (Feb. 17 – 7 p.m.), at Utah (Feb. 21 – 9 p.m.)
Quality wins: Kansas, Texas Tech, at Texas A&M
Bad losses: None
Projected seed: 8-10 seed
After beating Texas Tech, UCF was a team that a lot of people were taking seriously in the Big 12. Then, they lost three straight, including a home loss against West Virginia. They’re still in the field, but trending in the wrong direction. The good news is they only have one ranked game left, so they can hit cruise control as long as they win those games. Obviously, a big if, though, the way they’ve been playing.
11) Arizona State Sun Devils
Last week’s ranking: 14 (+3)
Record: 13-12 (4-8)
Last week: W vs. Oklahoma State (85-76)
Next week: vs. #13 Texas Tech (Feb. 17 – 11 p.m.), at Baylor (Feb. 21 – 4 p.m.)
Quality wins: Texas (Neutral), Santa Clara
Bad losses: Oregon State
Projected seed: OUT
Arizona State had a perfect week, beating Oklahoma State in its lone game. They’ve won two of three, which is a good sign, but outside of a home game against Utah, they’ve got a tough rest of the season ahead. That starts with Texas Tech and Baylor this week. We’ll see how Bobby Hurley goes out, and heck, if he can pull something magical and stay a little longer.
12) Baylor Bears
Last week’s ranking: 11 (-1)
Record: 13-12 (3-9)
Last week: L vs. #22 BYU (94-99), L vs. #24 Louisville (71-82)
Next week: at Kansas State (Feb. 17 – 9 p.m.), vs. Arizona State (Feb. 21 – 4 p.m.)
Quality wins: Creighton (Neutral), San Diego State (Neutral)
Bad losses: at Memphis
Projected seed: OUT
Again, all things considered, it was not a bad week, even though they went 0-2. They lost by single digits to two top 25 teams, and Tounde Yessofou was a monster, scoring 37 points against BYU. This season will be thrown in the trash by Baylor fans, but let’s see if they can finish strong, facing two teams that they should beat.
13) Oklahoma State Cowboys
Last week’s ranking: 10 (-3)
Record: 16-9 (4-8)
Last week: L at Arizona State (76-85), L vs. TCU (92-95 OT)
Next week: vs. #8 Kansas (Feb. 18 – 9 p.m.), at Colorado (Feb. 21 – 3:30 p.m.)
Quality wins: BYU, UCF, Texas A&M, South Florida
Bad losses: None
Projected seed: Next Four Out / OUT
Oklahoma State is struggling at the wrong time. They’ve lost three games in a row, including a loss to Arizona State. They are now off the bubble and need some help. They still have some opportunities to pick up big wins, but something will have to change sooner rather than later.
14) Colorado Buffaloes
Last week’s ranking: 13 (-1)
Record: 14-12 (4-9)
Last week: L at #16 Texas Tech (44-78), L at #22 BYU (86-90 OT)
Next week: vs. Oklahoma State (Feb. 21 – 3:30 p.m.), vs. Kansas State (Feb. 25 – 9 p.m.)
Quality wins: TCU
Bad losses: at Colorado State, Northern Colorado
Projected seed: OUT
What a weird week for Colorado. First, they lose by 34 points and nearly get doubled up. Then, they take BYU to overtime in Provo. This team is obviously not tournament caliber, but don’t be surprised if they steal a game in the Big 12 tournament like they did last year. Their guards are great; they just need the bigs to show up. They have two great win opportunities this week, staying at home and facing two ice-cold squads.
15) Utah Utes
Last week’s ranking: 16 (+1)
Record: 9-16 (1-11)
Last week: L vs. #3 Houston (52-66), L at Cincinnati (65-69)
Next week: at West Virginia (Feb. 18 – 8:30 p.m), vs. UCF (Feb. 21 – 9 p.m.)
Quality wins:
Bad losses: Cal Poly, at Kansas State
Projected seed: OUT
Utah has been last in the Big 12 basketball power rankings for over 10 weeks, but that streak finally ends. Not for a good reason, they’ve lost seven straight and are the only team in the Big 12 without 10 wins. Kansas State has just had it worse. All things considered, this wasn’t a bad week, and we’ll see if they can get win number two this week.
16) Kansas State Wildcats
Last week’s ranking: 15 (-1)
Record: 10-15 (1-11)
Last week: L vs. Cincinnati (62-91), L at #3 Houston (64-78)
Next week: vs. Baylor (Feb. 17 – 9 p.m.), at #13 Texas Tech (Feb. 21 – 2:30 p.m.)
Quality wins: at Creighton, California
Bad losses: Bowling Green
Projected seed: OUT
No one has it worse than Kansas State right now. They’ve lost six in a row, just lost by 29 points at home, the fans are wearing paper bags, and oh yeah, Jerome Tang is out. Now, they have no head coach for the long term, no tournament hopes, and a team that isn’t showing any fight. Maybe this is the boost they need, but yikes, this has been a disaster of all disasters for the Wildcats.