Big 12 Basketball Power Rankings: Arizona At No. 1, Texas Tech Trending Up
Jan 26, 2026, 2:26 PM
SALT LAKE CITY – Big 12 basketball in the 2025-26 season has a strong top six.
After the top six, there’s a dropoff; however, within the top six, there’s a No. 1 team that remains atop its game, that’s the Arizona Wildcats.
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Arizona is 20-0, one of three undefeated teams remaining in college basketball this season (Miami Ohio, Nebraska).
The Wildcats have their first 20-0 start in 12 years.
They haven’t faced the toughest conference schedule to date, but Arizona has been beating Big 12 opponents by an average of 18 points per game.
Arizona has climbed to No. 1 in the NET and KenPom ratings for the first time this season, alongside the AP Top 25 No. 1 overall ranking they have occupied since December 8.
Texas Tech continues to pile up quality wins. The Red Raiders have three victories over Duke, BYU, and now Houston, after taking down the Coogs on a winter storm day in West Texas.
JT Toppin is reminding everyone why he’s the reigning Big 12 Player of the Year with his performance in recent games. Since January 14, Toppin has averaged 27.8 points per game and 10 rebounds.
Big 12 basketball power rankings for Men’s Basketball: Week of January 26, 2026
The latest power rankings for Big 12 basketball entering week five of league play.
1. Arizona Wildcats (20-0, 7-0 Big 12)
Last week’s ranking: No. 1
Last Week
- Arizona 77, Cincinnati 51
- Arizona 88, West Virginia 53
This Week
- Monday, January 26: at BYU
- Saturday, January 31: at Arizona State
2. Texas Tech Red Raiders (16-4, 6-1 Big 12)
Last week’s ranking: No. 3 (Up one)
Last Week
- Texas Tech 92, Baylor 73 (Road Win)
- Texas Tech 90, Houston 86
This Week
- Saturday, January 31: at UCF
3. Houston Cougars (17-2, 5-1 Big 12)
Last week’s ranking: No. 2 (Down one)
Last Week
- Texas Tech 90, Houston 86
This Week
- Wednesday, January 28: at TCU
- Saturday, January 31: vs. Cincinnati
4. BYU Cougars (17-2, 5-1 Big 12)
Last week’s ranking: No. 4
Last Week
- BYU 91, Utah 78
This Week
- Monday, January 26: vs. Arizona
- Saturday, January 31: at Kansas (College Gameday)
5. Kansas Jayhawks (15-5, 5-2 Big 12)
Last week’s ranking: No. 5
Last Week
- Kansas 75, Colorado 69 (Road Win)
- Kansas 86, K-State 62 (Road Win)
This Week
- Saturday, January 31: vs. BYU (College Gameday)
6. Iowa State Cyclones (18-2, 5-2 Big 12)
Last week’s ranking: No. 6
Last Week
- Iowa State 87, UCF 57
- Iowa State 84, Oklahoma State 71 (Road Win)
This Week
- Thursday, January 29: vs. Colorado
- Sunday, February 1: at K-State
7. UCF Knights (15-4, 4-3 Big 12)
Last week’s ranking: No. 7
Last Week
- Iowa State 87, UCF 57
- UCF 95, Colorado 86 (Road Win)
This Week
- Tuesday, January 27: vs. Arizona State
- Saturday, January 31: vs. Texas Tech
8. TCU Horned Frogs (13-7, 3-4 Big 12)
Last week’s ranking: No. 15 (Up seven)
Last Week
- TCU 68, Oklahoma State 65
- TCU 97, Baylor 90 (Road Win)
This Week
- Wednesday, January 28: vs. Houston
- Sunday, February 1: at Colorado
9. West Virginia Mountaineers (13-7, 4-3 Big 12)
Last week’s ranking: No. 11 (Up two)
Last Week
- West Virginia 75, Arizona State 63 (Road Win)
- Arizona 88, West Virginia 53
This Week
- Tuesday, January 27: vs. K-State
- Saturday, January 31: vs. Baylor
10. Arizona State Sun Devils (11-9, 2-5 Big 12)
Last week’s ranking: No. 13 (Up three)
Last Week
- West Virginia 75, Arizona State 63 (Home Loss)
- Arizona State 82, Cincinnati 68
This Week
- Tuesday, January 27: at UCF
- Saturday, January 31: vs. Arizona
11. Oklahoma State Cowboys (14-6, 2-5 Big 12)
Last week’s ranking: No. 9 (Down two)
Last Week
- TCU 68, Oklahoma State 65
- Iowa State 84, Oklahoma State 71 (Home Loss)
This Week
- Saturday, January 31: at Utah
12. Cincinnati Bearcats (10-10, 2-5 Big 12)
Last week’s ranking: No. 10 (Down two)
Last Week
- Arizona 77, Cincinnati 51
- Arizona State 82, Cincinnati 68
This Week
- Wednesday, January 28: vs. Baylor
- Saturday, January 31: at Houston
13. Baylor Bears (11-8, 1-6 Big 12)
Last week’s ranking: No. 8 (Down five)
Last Week
- Texas Tech 92, Baylor 73 (Home Loss)
- TCU 97, Baylor 90 (Home Loss)
This Week
- Wednesday, January 28: at Cincinnati
- Saturday, January 31: at West Virginia
14. Colorado Buffaloes (12-8, 2-5 Big 12)
Last week’s ranking: No. 12 (Down two)
Last Week
- Kansas 75, Colorado 69 (Home Loss)
- UCF 95, Colorado 86 (Home Loss)
This Week
- Thursday, January 29: at Iowa State
- Sunday, February 1: vs. TCU
15. Kansas State Wildcats (10-10, 1-6 Big 12)
Last week’s ranking: No. 16 (Up one)
Last Week
- K-State 81, Utah 78
- Kansas 86, K-State 62
This Week
- Tuesday, January 27: at West Virginia
- Sunday, February 1: vs. Iowa State
16. Utah Utes (9-11, 1-6 Big 12)
Last week’s ranking: No. 14 (Down two)
Last Week
- K-State 81, Utah 78
- BYU 91, Utah 78
This Week
- Saturday, January 31: vs. Oklahoma State
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast daily on KSL Sports YouTube and KSL NewsRadio (SUBSCRIBE). Harper also co-hosts Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL NewsRadio.
Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU athletics in the Big 12 Conference on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram: @Mitch_Harper.
