Big 12 Power Rankings: Oklahoma In Free Fall, Kansas Reigns Supreme

As the regular season nears an end and the postseason picture begins to take shape, Kansas has once again proven itself to be the cream of the Big 12 crop.

The Jayhawks clinched an outright Big 12 regular season title earlier this week, which means Saturday’s tilt vs. Oklahoma State is little more than a contest for Big 12 bragging rights for Bill Self’s team — and an opportunity to maintain its NCAA Tournament seeding.

A win for KU would likely keep it on the 1-line, while a win for OSU would push the team within an inch of a postseason berth.

1. Kansas (24-6, 13-4 in Big 12)

KU clinched the outright Big 12 title with a win over Texas on Monday, its 14th consecutive season of at least a share of the crown.

The Jayhawks have won five-straight and face Oklahoma State in their regular season finale on Saturday in Stillwater.

2. West Virginia (22-8, 11-6 in Big 12)

After stumbling against OSU and Kansas, the Mountaineers have reeled off three straight and sit comfortably in sole possession of second place in the league standings. Only Texas, which could desperately use another Quad 1 win, can knock them off their perch in their final regular season game on Saturday.

3. TCU (21-9, 9-8 in Big 12)

TCU is going to be in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since I was six years old, thanks to a late-season surge that has the Horned Frogs on a four-game winning streak. The way they’re playing (and the way Texas Tech is playing), I expect them to end the regular season on a five-game streak when they travel to Lubbock on Saturday.

4. Baylor (18-12, 8-9 in Big 12)

Baylor got exactly what it needed on Tuesday with a convincing win over Oklahoma, essentially clinching a spot in the Big Dance in the process. A win over K-State Saturday would be icing on the cake, but at this point I think they’re on the right side of the bubble and trending in the right direction.

5. Texas Tech (22-8, 10-7 in Big 12)

Texas Tech is not a great team right now, thanks to the injury bug eating into All-America candidate Keenan Evans. The Red Raiders carry a four-game losing streak into their regular season finale on Saturday.

6. Kansas State (20-10, 9-8 in Big 12)

Kansas State has fallen twice in its last two contests, and could use a win for some cushioning before Selection Sunday. A win on Saturday over Baylor would do wonders for its overall resume. Like Baylor, the Wildcats are on the bubble, but I believe they are on the right side of it.

7. Texas (17-13, 7-10 in Big 12)

Texas is in need of a win to feel less squeamish about its NCAAT odds and getting a win on Saturday against WVU won’t be an easy task. The Mountaineers beat the Horns by 35 (!!) last time they played.

8. Oklahoma State (17-13, 7-10 in Big 12)

Oklahoma State’s played well of late despite blowing a lead vs. Texas, and is in position to steal a bid. But in all likelihood, it needs a win over KU on Saturday, and potentially multiple wins in Kansas City to seal the deal.

9. Oklahoma (17-12, 7-10 in Big 12)

Trae Young declared himself back during a win over K-State earlier this week, but, well, he’s kinda not. And neither are the Sooners.

They lost to Baylor on Tuesday — their seventh in eight games — and have suddenly fallen from No. 4 team a month ago, to potential bubble team. Really.

I'm not sure Trae Young ever left, but he declared, "I'm back!" during OU's win over K-State today. pic.twitter.com/QuwmwTwDAI

— Kyle Boone (@Kyle__Boone) February 25, 2018

10. Iowa State (13-16, 4-13 in Big 12)

Iowa State has mailed it in at this point and has already began playing its younger players to build toward next season. The Cyclones have an uber-talented young core, but that doesn’t help for this season. They’ve already locked up dead last in the league standings.