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Big 12 Power Rankings: Kansas Sits Alone Atop the League Standings

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Much was made about the first few weeks of Big 12 play. West Virginia looked like the class of the conference, Kansas’ streak of 13-straight league titles looked like it was in serious peril, and Texas Tech was playing like a 1-seed.

But I regret to inform you that Kansas’ demise was greatly exaggerated. The Jayhawks stunned WVU in Morgantown on Monday night to claim the top spot in the league standings, and as things stand right now, they are also No. 1 in this week’s edition of the Big 12 power rankings.


1. Kansas

Remember when KU was 1-1 in Big 12 play and everyone wrote Bill Self off? Good times, good times. After overcoming a 16-point deficit against West Virginia on the road Monday, the Jayhawks are now in sole possession of first place in the league standings at 5-1.


2. Texas Tech

The Red Raiders notched a big boy win over West Virginia this weekend, and have a pretty cake schedule upcoming. The win over KU in Lawrence will continue to hold massive weight, and that Feb. 24 showdown when KU travels to Lubbock might determine who wins the conference.


3. West Virginia

Oh, West Virginia. You were 4-0 in league play and in firm control of the league before Saturday. But in a three-day span, you’ve lost to Texas Tech and Kansas, all but assuring your finish in the conference won’t be at No. 1 when everything is said and done.

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4. Kansas State

I will eat my crow raw, because I did not expect Kansas State to look as good as it does without Kamau Stokes. Dean Wade has taken his game to a new level, and Barry Brown is playing like an All-Big 12 caliber talent. K-State’s a tourney team if they continue playing like they have of late.


5. Oklahoma

Trae Young had the worst game of his college career on Tuesday in the Octagon of Doom, setting a career-high in turnovers with 12. It paved the way for K-State to upend the Sooners, which almost guarantees that Young will drop 40 against the Pokes on Saturday. My palms are sweating.


6. Texas

I cannot, for the life of me, peg Texas. They get a nice win over TCU, then drop a baffling one to OSU. On Wednesday, they might beat Texas Tech by 40 based off their erratic month. But even after a loss to Baylor and OSU in the past two weeks, the Horns are no worse than sixth … for now. Just simply because they could just as easily be 4-1 as they are 2-3.


7. TCU

TCU’s 1-4 in league play …. but could easily be 5-0. So I still believe in the Horned Frogs as a tournament team, even if four of their last five have been L’s. They are losing, on average, by less than 2 points in each of those games, and have lost two in overtime. I think they turn it around, and that Jan. 2 win over Baylor is what’s keeping them afloat at No. 7.


8. Baylor

Baylor throttled Oklahoma State with a second half explosion from Manu Lecomte, and the Bears might be on their way to climbing the rungs of the Big 12 ladder soon if they continue to play like they did in the final frame against the Pokes.


 

9. Oklahoma State

Oklahoma State responded to Mike Boynton calling his team’s performance “gutless” by rewarding him with an impressive win over Texas. But that was immediately followed by a lackluster showing at Baylor. Murderers row is upcoming, and there’s a decent chance OSU doesn’t see a win again for another month.


10. Iowa State

Saturday’s win over Baylor was impressive, and behind freshman Lindell Wiggington, the Cyclones are showing life. But this remains true: they are 1-4 in league play, and according to KenPom, only have one more projected win on their remaining Big 12 schedule.

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