There was a light schedule in the Big 12 last week due to the holidays, but some surprising things happened in the few games that were played. The top two teams in last week's power rankings suffered ugly losses, with Texas falling at home to a 7-3 Stanford team and Kansas getting blown out by 25 points to Temple.
Next week we'll actually have some head-to-head results to help shape these rankings as Big 12 play begins.
Let's get to the rankings:
1. Iowa State Cyclones, 9-1 (previous rank: 3)
For last week, no games equals good news for the Cyclones. Iowa State didn't do anything over the past several days to earn this spot, but it doesn't mean they're unworthy. The Cyclones are the only Big 12 team currently in the AP Top 10, and they're a legitimate Final Four contender.
Last week: No games last week.
This week: Vs. Mississippi Valley State (12/31), Vs. South Carolina (1/3)
2. Texas Longhorns, 11-2 (previous rank: 1)
Texas suffered their second loss of the season, but their first to a real college team (Kentucky being the other L). The hope was for Isaiah Taylor to return against Texas Tech, but nothing has been announced as of yet. To contend for the conference championship, they're gonna need him on the court. Freshman Myles Turner replaced Cameron Ridley in the starting lineup in yesterday's win over Rice. Turner had 16 points and 5 rebounds in an ugly Longhorn victory.
Last week: Lost to Stanford 74-71 OT (12/23)
This week: Defeated Rice 66-55 (12/29), @ Texas Tech (1/3)
3. West Virginia Mountaineers, 11-1 (previous rank: 4)
West Virginia looked incredibly impressive in their dismantling of a good Wofford team. They have a chance for revenge this afternoon against the Hokies, and then it's time to prepare for Big 12 play. Juwan Staten has been fantastic in his last two games, which is great news for Mountaineer fans.
Last week: Defeated Wofford 77-44 (12/22)
This week: Vs. Virginia Tech (12/30), @ TCU (1/3)
4. Kansas Jayhawks, 9-2 (previous rank: 2)
Kansas now has its second loss by 25 or more points. "We played tired," Head Coach Bill Self told reporters. "And we played like we were a half step slow, or even a full step slow, in my eyes." Perry Ellis and Cliff Alexander combined for only 7 points against the Owls, and no one outside of Frank Mason had more than nine.
Last week: Lost @ Temple 77-52 (12/22)
This week: Vs. Kent State (12/30), Vs. UNLV (1/4)
5. Oklahoma Sooners, 8-3 (previous rank: 6)
Oklahoma defeated Weber State by 34, and the game wasn't anywhere near as close as the score indicates. The Sooners went on a record 39-0 run and at one point held a 49-4 lead. Oklahoma had five different players score double figures in the contest.
Last week: Defeated Weber State 85-51 (12/21)
This week: Vs. George Mason (12/31), Vs. #22 Baylor (1/3)
6. Baylor Bears, 10-1 (previous rank: 5)
Baylor narrowly avoided a resume-crushing loss to a Southern team that has only three wins on the year. Surprisingly it was free throws, something they've struggled all year with, that kept them from defeat. Baylor made 11 of their final 12 at the line to escape with a win.
Last week: Defeated Southern 70-66 (12/22)
This week: Vs. Norfolk State (12/30), @ #18 Oklahoma (1/3)
7. TCU Horned Frogs, 13-0 (previous rank: 7)
I'm not going to move TCU any higher until they get a quality win. Going undefeated in conference play is impressive, but to climb past seven they're going to have to prove it against better competition. They'll get that chance on Saturday against West Virginia.
Last week: Defeated Grambling State 80-39 (12/22),
This week: Defeated Tennessee State 60-40 (12/29), Vs. #17 West Virginia (1/3)
8. Oklahoma State Cowboys, 9-2 (previous rank: 8)
Oklahoma State didn't have any games last week. They're currently last in the Big 12 in assists per game, averaging only 12.09 per contest.
Last week: No games last week.
This week: Vs. Missouri (12/30), Vs. Kansas State (1/3)
9. Kansas State Wildcats, 7-5 (previous rank: 10)
Kansas State was leading Texas Southern by four points with 3.8 seconds left in the game -- and lost in regulation. After K-State fouled Tonnie Collier on a 3 to send him to the line, Collier made the first two and intentionally missed the last, which Texas Southern rebounded and scored to tie. K-State then threw the ball out of bounds with no one touching it, and this happened:
It's been that kinda season so far for the Wildcats. So how did they move up a spot? Because Texas Tech had an even worse week.
Last week: Lost to Texas Southern 58-56 (12/28)
This week: Vs. Georgia (12/31), @ Oklahoma State (1/3)
10. Texas Tech Red Raiders, 10-3 (previous rank: 9)
This probably should have been Tech's place in the rankings all along, but K-State had so many more losses than everyone else I had to put them here. No longer. The Red Raiders lost by double-digits to both Loyola Illinois and Houston.
Last week: Lost to Loyola Illinois 62-44 (12/22), Lost to Houston 82-69 (12/23)
This week: Defeated North Texas 60-45 (12/29), Vs. #11 Texas (1/3)