Big 12 Basketball Power Rankings: Title Contenders Emerging
Jan 13, 2025, 10:31 AM
Iowa State guard Curtis Jones is thriving off the bench for the 14-1 Cyclones as they sit atop the Big 12 basketball power rankings. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
(Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY — Although Big 12 basketball isn’t the top league in America this year, it still has some of the best teams in the nation.
Iowa State and Houston are separating themselves from the pack, while Kansas is on a winning streak after dropping its first Big 12 game.
In KenPom’s predictive ratings, six of the Top 20 teams reside in the Big 12.
Big 12 Basketball Power Rankings: Week 11 Edition
Take a look at the week 11 Big 12 basketball power rankings.
Previous Power Rankings
Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 & 9 | Week 10 |
1. Iowa State (14-1, 4-0 Big 12)
Last week’s power ranking: No. 1
Last Week
- Iowa State 82, Utah 59
- Iowa State 85, Texas Tech 84 (OT, Road Win)
This Week
- Wednesday, January 15: vs. Kansas
- Saturday, January 18: at West Virginia
Had it all the way. 😏#Cyclones | #C5C pic.twitter.com/s91fckFEXZ
— Iowa State Men’s Basketball (@CycloneMBB) January 11, 2025
The Cyclones earned their first win at Texas Tech since 2019. It’s another sign of how this Iowa State team differs from recent years.
Curtis Jones is thriving off the bench for Iowa State. Jones combined for 49 points last week.
Iowa State has the nation’s longest win streak at 11 games.
2. Houston (12-3, 4-0 Big 12)
Last week’s power ranking: No. 2
Last Week
- Houston 65, TCU 46
- Houston 87, Kansas State 57 (Road Win)
This Week
- Wednesday, January 15: vs. West Virginia
- Saturday, January 18: at UCF
1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ and counting#ForTheCity x #GoCoogs pic.twitter.com/hucmIbu2Dm
— Houston Men's Hoops 🏀 🐾 (@UHCougarMBK) January 12, 2025
Houston cruised to a comfortable win on the road at Kansas State over the weekend. The Coogs scored 16-2 and 18-3 in the first half and hammered K-State by 30.
3. Kansas (12-3, 3-1 Big 12)
Last week’s power ranking: No. 4 (Up 1)
Last Week
- Kansas 74, Arizona State 55
- Kansas 54, Cincinnati 40 (Road Win)
This Week
- Wednesday, January 15: at Iowa State
- Saturday, January 18: vs. Kansas State
That's Win No. 𝟔𝟎𝟎 at Kansas for the 🐐 pic.twitter.com/unrCILtmzD
— Kansas Men’s Basketball (@KUHoops) January 11, 2025
Kansas is locking down opponents on the defensive end. In Big 12 play, they are tied with Houston, allowing opponents to score only 51.3 points per game. Bill Self reached win 600 at Kansas in the victory at Cincinnati.
4. Arizona (10-5, 4-0 Big 12)
Last week’s power ranking: No. 5 (Up 1)
Last Week
- Arizona 75, West Virginia 56 (Road Win)
- Arizona 88, UCF 80
This Week
- Tuesday, January 14: vs. Baylor
- Saturday, January 18: at Texas Tech
Late night W in McKale 📸 pic.twitter.com/TB1VnO4xWp
— Arizona Basketball (@ArizonaMBB) January 12, 2025
The win at West Virginia reminded us of our lofty expectations for this Arizona team. Arizona has won six in a row and has one of the best offenses in the Big 12. Caleb Love had an efficient night in the win over UCF and sophomore KJ Lewis is shining off the bench.
5. West Virginia (12-3, 3-1 Big 12)
Last week’s power ranking: No. 3 (Down 2)
Last Week
- Arizona 75, West Virginia 56 (Home Loss)
- West Virginia 78, Colorado 70 (Road Win)
This Week
- Wednesday, January 15: at Houston
- Saturday, January 18: vs. Iowa State
Another one on the road ✌️ pic.twitter.com/gTlYFtjQCA
— WVU Men's Basketball (@WVUhoops) January 12, 2025
Javon Small is making a case to be the Big 12 Player of the Year. Remember, the Mountaineers still don’t have Tucker DeVries back yet from injury.
6. Baylor (11-4, 3-1 Big 12)
Last week’s power ranking: No. 6
Last Week
- Baylor 68, Cincinnati 48
- Baylor 72, Arizona State 66 (OT, Road Win)
This Week
- Tuesday, January 14: at Arizona
- Sunday, January 19: vs. TCU
Concluding our Arizona swing with late night hoops on ESPN tomorrow 📺
🆚 Arizona
⏰ 10:00 CT#SicEm | #CultureofJOY pic.twitter.com/RxsRgAuYhJ— Baylor Men’s Basketball (@BaylorMBB) January 13, 2025
Baylor has done what it has been asked to do in Big 12 play thus far. We will learn a lot about this group on Tuesday night at Arizona.
7. Texas Tech (11-4, 2-2 Big 12)
Last week’s power ranking: No. 7
Last Week
- Texas Tech 72, BYU 67 (Road Win)
- Iowa State 85, Texas Tech 84 (OT, Home Loss)
This Week
- Tuesday, January 14: at Kansas State
- Saturday, January 18: vs. Arizona
One-point OT loss.
🔥 Toppin: 18 PTS | 9 REB
🔥 McMillian: 18 PTS | 8 REB
🔥 Anderson: 18 PTS | 4-4 3s
🔥 Williams: 15 PTS | 6 REB
🔥 Hawkins: 10 AST | 0 TO | 7 PTSThem 85, Us 84 (OT) #TTW
— Texas Tech Basketball (@TexasTechMBB) January 12, 2025
A strong showing from Texas Tech against the league’s best team, Iowa State, but blowing a 13-point lead at home is a missed opportunity to climb the rankings.
8. TCU (9-6, 2-2 Big 12)
Last week’s power ranking: No. 11 (Up 3)
Last Week
- Houston 65, TCU 46
- TCU 71, BYU 67
This Week
- Wednesday, January 15: vs. Utah
- Sunday, January 19: at Baylor
FROGS WIN pic.twitter.com/Sh9V1XDEkC
— TCU Men's Basketball (@TCUBasketball) January 11, 2025
Green Bay/Wyoming transfer Noah Reynolds is carrying TCU as they continue to protect their home court. TCU is 9-0 this season at home.
9. Arizona State (10-5, 1-3 Big 12)
Last week’s power ranking: No. 10 (Up 1)
Last Week
- Kansas 74, Arizona State 55
- Baylor 72, Arizona State 66 (OT, Home Loss)
This Week
- Tuesday, January 14: vs. UCF
- Saturday, January 18: at Cincinnati
It's Good ✔️
Fast break ends with a @joson_sanon 3️⃣ pic.twitter.com/GLNGEbuYxw
— Sun Devil MBB (@SunDevilHoops) January 12, 2025
Arizona State had Kansas panicking after the first half in Lawrence before the Jayhawks pulled away. It was good for the Sun Devils to get talented freshman Joson Sanon back for the close home loss to Baylor.
10. BYU (10-5, 1-3 Big 12)
Last week’s power ranking: No. 9 (Down 1)
Last Week
- Texas Tech 72, BYU 67 (Home Loss)
- TCU 71, BYU 67
This Week
- Tuesday, January 14: vs. Oklahoma State
- Saturday, January 18: at Utah
— BYU Men's Basketball (@BYUMBB) January 11, 2025
Richie Saunders is shining for BYU and is among the leaders in many stats during Big 12 play. But, aside from Saunders, not much else is shining for this group, especially on the road.
11. UCF (11-4, 2-2 Big 12)
Last week’s power ranking: No. 13 (Up 2)
Last Week
- UCF 75, Colorado 74
- Arizona 88, UCF 80
This Week
- Tuesday, January 14: at Arizona State
- Saturday, January 18: vs. Houston
New opportunity in AZ 🗓️ pic.twitter.com/kj9zLvIAEj
— UCF Men’s Hoops 🌴 (@UCF_MBB) January 13, 2025
George Mason transfer Keyshawn Hall is fifth this season in the Big 12 in scoring at 16.1 points per game. He dropped 22 in the loss at Arizona.
12. Cincinnati (10-5, 0-4 Big 12)
Last week’s power ranking: No. 8 (Down 4)
Last Week
- Baylor 68, Cincinnati 48
- Kansas 54, Cincinnati 40 (Home Loss)
This Week
- Wednesday, January 15: at Colorado
- Saturday, January 18: vs. Arizona State
Final: Cincinnati 40, #11 Kansas 54
— Cincinnati Men’s Hoops (@GoBearcatsMBB) January 11, 2025
Cincinnati has played a gauntlet of a schedule to open league play. Perhaps more concerning is the lack of ability to score. The Bearcats scored 88 points last week in two losses to Baylor and Kansas.
This week could define the season for Cincy.
13. Utah (9-6, 1-3 Big 12)
Last week’s power ranking: No. 15 (Up 2)
Last Week
- Iowa State 82, Utah 59
- Utah 83, Oklahoma State 62
This Week
- Wednesday, January 15: at TCU
- Saturday, January 18: vs. BYU
First Big 12 win secured ✅ pic.twitter.com/5vWwbxCKKe
— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) January 12, 2025
Utah earned its first Big 12 victory with a dominant performance over Oklahoma State after switching up the starting lineup. Jake Wahlin scored a career-high 16 points.
14. Oklahoma State (9-6, 1-3 Big 12)
Last week’s power ranking: No. 16 (Up 2)
Last Week
- Oklahoma State 79, Kansas State 66
- Utah 83, Oklahoma State 62
This Week
- Tuesday, January 14: at BYU
- Saturday, January 18: vs. Colorado
Up next: A trip up the road to Provo pic.twitter.com/ZxKcAwqzD7
— OSU Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) January 12, 2025
Oklahoma State is averaging only 59.5 points per game in league play.
15. Kansas State (7-8, 1-3 Big 12)
Last week’s power ranking: No. 12 (Down 3)
Last Week
- Oklahoma State 79, K-State 66
- Houston 87, K-State 57 (Home Loss)
This Week
- Tuesday, January 14: vs. Texas Tech
- Saturday, January 18: at Kansas
FINAL: K-State 57, #12 Houston 87
— K-State Men's Basketball (@KStateMBB) January 12, 2025
K-State didn’t play poorly against Houston; they just lack the personnel to keep up with the top teams in the league this year.
16. Colorado (9-6, 0-4 Big 12)
Last week’s power ranking: No. 14 (Down 2)
Last Week
- UCF 75, Colorado 74
- West Virginia 78, Colorado 70 (Home Loss)
This Week
- Wednesday, January 15: vs. Cincinnati
- Saturday, January 18: at Oklahoma State
Final: #21 West Virginia 78, Colorado 70
— Colorado Men's Basketball (@CUBuffsMBB) January 12, 2025
The Buffs are winless in league play and still haven’t played games against Houston, Kansas, and Arizona.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU in the Big 12 Conference on X: @Mitch_Harper.
