Big 12 Power Rankings: Week 9
It's the final day of the regular season, and almost every seed in the Big 12 Tournament is up for grabs. While these power rankings were delayed due to some other life issues, I wanted to make sure that we shared them with you before the games finish.
A quick reminder on how our power rankings work. It is NOT just going to be restating the standings. It is entirely possible that a team that has a worse record lands higher on the list, especially if they are playing really well as of late. Similarly, it is also not going to be a "who's hottest" list. Instead, it will be a subjective mix of which team is playing better and which team we think IS better, with a tiebreaker going to teams that have significantly outperformed our expectations.
So with that, here is the Week 9 edition of the Blue Wings Rising Big 12 Basketball Power Rankings:
Editor's Note: These rankings were determined prior to tipoff of the action on Big Monday. All voting was completed Sunday night. The records below reflect all action through Friday.
1. Kansas Jayhawks (25-5, 13-4 Big 12) - 50 Points, LW: 1
Last Week: 63-58 W at TCU, 76-74 W vs West Virginia
This Week: 67-63 W at Texas Tech, Sat at Texas
The way this team is playing, you can easily make an argument for them as the overall number 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. While Saturday's game may not be important for Big 12 Tournament seeding, it will have a huge impact on tournament seeding. When this team is invested in the outcome, then they can beat anyone in the country.
2. Texas Longhorns (22-8, 11-6 Big 12) - 43 Points, LW: 2
Last Week: 72-54 W vs Iowa State, 81-72 L at Baylor
This Week: 75-73 L at TCU, Sat vs Kansas
Rodney Terry has done a great job holding this team together for as long as he has, but the cracks are starting to show. Two straight losses entering the season finale puts a lot of pressure on them to get things turned around, and they definitely have the talent to do it.
3. Baylor Bears (22-8, 11-6 Big 12) - 40 Points, LW: 3
Last Week: 75-66 L at Kansas State, 81-72 W vs Texas
This Week: 74-68 at Oklahoma State, Sat vs Iowa State
Pretty much everyone has struggled on the road in Manhattan this season, so the loss last week isn't really that surprising. And they have two good wins to lead into the finale, especially in light of some injury issues for the team..
4. Kansas State Wildcats (23-7, 11-6 Big 12) - 36 Points, LW: 5
Last Week: 73-68 W vs Baylor, 73-68 W at Oklahoma State
This Week: 85-69 W vs Oklahoma, Sat at West Virginia
This team is on a hot streak, and it has come against some pretty good opponents. They still have some issues to work out, including a consistent third scoring threat, but they have the ability to compete with anyone.
5. TCU Horned Frogs (20-10, 9-8 Big 12) - 29 Points, LW: 4
Last Week: 63-58 L vs Kansas, 83-82 W at Texas Tech
This Week: 75-73 W vs Texas, Sat at Oklahoma
This is a high variance team in every sense of the word. Injury issues have denied them any sort of consistency, but when they play well they can scare anyone. They can set themselves up for a good seed and might be a trendy pick for a deep tournament run.
6. Iowa State Cyclones (17-12, 8-9 Big 12) - 23 Points, LW: 6
Last Week: 72-54 L at Texas, 61-50 L vs Oklahoma
This Week: 72-69 L vs West Virginia, Sat at Baylor
I'm actually surprised that the Cyclones didn't drop even further. They have lost multiple games in a row, and Caleb Grill was dismissed from the team this week. It will be interesting to see how they respond without him.
T-7. Oklahoma State Cowboys (16-14, 7-10 Big 12) - 16 Points, LW: 7
Last Week: 85-67 L at West Virginia, 73-68 L vs Kansas State
This Week: 74-68 L vs Baylor, Sat at Texas Tech
The Cowboys looked like a lock for the tournament just a couple weeks ago, but now they are fighting for their bubble lives thanks to a large losing streak. The loser of today's game will need a run in the Big 12 Tournament to have a chance.
T-7. Texas Tech Red Raiders (16-14, 5-12 Big 12) - 16 Points, LW: 8
Last Week: 74-63 W at Oklahoma, 83-82 L vs TCU
This Week: 67-63 L at Kansas, Sat vs Oklahoma State
Tied with the Cowboys, Texas Tech has been on a bit of a tear recently before a controversial loss to TCU that snowballed with a close loss to Kansas on Tuesday. They might need a run in KC even with a win today.
9. West Virginia Mountaineers (17-13, 6-11 Big 12) - 15 Points, LW: 10
Last Week: 85-67 W vs Oklahoma State, 76-74 L at Kansas
This Week: 72-69 W at Iowa State, Sat vs Kansas State
Huggins has his team on the verge of an NCAA Tournament berth, even with a questionable Big 12 record . The Kenpom hype is real, as this team has pushed everyone in it's recent losses and pulled off several important wins.
10. Oklahoma Sooners (14-16, 4-13 Big 12) - 7 Points, LW: 9
Last Week: 74-63 L vs Texas Tech, 61-50 W at Iowa State
This Week: 85-69 L at Kansas State, Sat vs TCU
This team will be kicking itself with all the missed opportunities, and there is a good chance they won't qualify for the NIT either. I bet Porter Moser can't wait to get his team into the SEC.
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