Welcome to the Hotline’s Big 12 men’s basketball power rankings, a weekly assessment of the conference using analytics and common sense, with a strand of pasta occasionally heaved at the wall when mayhem is rampant. The power rankings will be published each Tuesday through the end of the regular season. (Last week’s edition can be found here.)
Results and NET rankings through Monday.
1. Arizona (13-0)
Result: beat South Dakota State 99-71 NET ranking: No. 4 Comment: Of the five remaining undefeated teams (the others: Michigan, Iowa State, Vanderbilt and Nebraska), the Wildcats have the most manageable upcoming schedule. They don’t face a ranked opponent until visiting BYU on Jan. 26. So, yes: 20-0 is well within reason. (Previous: 1)
2. Iowa State (13-0)
Result: beat Houston Christian 89-61 NET ranking: No. 5 Comment: In contrast to Arizona, the Cyclones have a major test in two weeks when they head to Lawrence. But if they slay the Jayhawks, it likely would be another month before they face another ranked opponent. (Previous: 2)
3. Houston (12-1)
Result: beat Middle Tennessee 69-60 NET ranking: No. 17 Comment: The Cougars finished last season with the No. 12 adjusted offensive efficiency in the country (points per possession), according to KenPom.com. To this point in 2025-26, they are 24th. And that relatively slight difference could mean everything in conference play. (Previous: 3)
4. Texas Tech (10-3)
Result: beat Winthrop 87-57 NET ranking: No. 20 Comment: When the results-oriented metrics (NET) and the predictive metrics (KenPom.com) are in line, you know exactly where a team stands. The Red Raiders are essentially in the same position in the former (20th) as the latter (21st), which translates to a No. 5/6 seed in the NCAAs. (Previous: 4)
5. BYU (12-1)
Results: did not play NET ranking: No. 9 Comment: The Cougars will be coming off a 12-day break from competition when they face Kansas State in Manhattan this weekend. That’s more than enough time for rust to set up shop and cost them a victory. The Wildcats won’t have the same challenge. (Previous: 5)
6. Kansas (10-3)
Results: did not play NET ranking: No. 18 Comment: The Jayhawks face identical circumstances, with a 12-day break followed by a road game to open conference play. We’ll compare the results in Big 12 openers for teams that scheduled post-Christmas tune-ups to those that declined. (Previous: 6)
7. Baylor (10-2)
Result: beat Arlington Baptist 124-61 NET ranking: No. 41 Comment: If you’re curious (we were), Arlington Baptist is a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association. Which left us wondering why the Bears only won by 63. (Previous: 7)
8. Oklahoma State (12-1)
Result: beat Bethune-Cookman 103-77 NET ranking: No. 73 Comment: In contrast to the Arizonas and Iowa States, which have soft schedules early in conference play, the Cowboys play Texas Tech and Iowa State, both on the road, in the first eight days. (Previous: 9)
9. TCU (10-3)
Results: beat Jackson State 115-64 NET ranking: No. 51 Comment: We’re surprised the Horned Frogs are in solid position in the NET given that seven of their 10 wins have come in Quadrant IV games. The algorithm typically punishes schedules that are pillowy soft. (Previous: 10)
10. UCF (11-1)
Result: beat Florida Atlantic 85-80 NET ranking: No. 36 Comment: We’ll attribute a good chunk of UCF’s early success to a schedule that’s ranked 193rd nationally by KenPom.com and includes just two Quadrant I results thus far. (Most of the top teams in the Big 12 have played at least four Quad I games.) (Previous: 11)
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Results: did not play NET ranking: No. 78 Comment: Credit the Sun Devils for playing four former Pac-12 opponents in non-conference matchups. Problem is, they only beat one, Washington State, while losing to USC, UCLA and, err, Oregon State. (Previous: 12)
12. Colorado (10-3)
Results: lost to Northern Colorado 86-81 NET ranking: No. 77 Comment: That makes two face plants against in-state foes — the Buffaloes also lost by five points at Colorado State — so it’s a good thing CU doesn’t play Air Force or Denver … or Front Range Community College. (Previous: 8)
13. West Virginia (9-4)
Results: did not play NET ranking: No. 92 Comment: Not sure any Big 12 team faces a more challenging January than the Mountaineers, who play Iowa State, Houston and Kansas on the road and Arizona at home. That said, their February lineup creates the opportunity for late-season momentum. (Previous: 13)
14. Kansas State (9-4)
Result: beat UL Monroe 94-85 NET ranking: No. 60 Comment: With a conference opener against BYU, followed immediately by a two-game swing through the desert, the Wildcats are staring at an 0-3 start to Big 12 play. (Previous: 14)
15. Utah (8-5)
Result: lost at Washington 74-65 NET ranking: No. 131 Comment: Based on their current NET ranking, the Utes qualify as a Quadrant II opponent when they are the visitor and a Quad III foe when they are at home. Put another way: A loss to Utah will stain your resume. (Previous: 15)
16. Cincinnati (8-5)
Result: beat Lipscomb 89-62 NET ranking: No. 95 Comment: The Bearcats rank 62nd in the predictive metrics (i.e., KenPom.com), suggesting they are far more dangerous than it appears from their NET position. (Previous: 16)
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