The theme last week in the Big 12? Just keep winnin'. No conference team suffered a loss last week. Granted, no one outside of Kansas really played anyone, but it's easy to stub your toe in early-season nonconference play.
If you're going by top-to-bottom depth, there is no doubt the Big 12 is the best conference in the nation right now. Take a look at where they stand compared to the other Power Five (granted, that title means way, way less in basketball) conferences:
Conference | Wins | Losses | Win Percentage |
Big 12 | 74 | 13 | 85.1% |
Big 10 | 104 | 34 | 75.4% |
ACC | 97 | 34 | 74.0% |
Pac 12 | 80 | 29 | 73.4% |
SEC | 81 | 38 | 68.1% |
data through 12/13
Let's get to the rankings:
1. Texas Longhorns, 8-1 (previous rank: 1)
In their first week as the #1 team in our rankings, the Longhorns allowed their lowest point total in a game since 1945, per ESPN. Texas held Texas State to 9 first half points and 27 points total in a complete domination of the Bobcats. The Longhorns are now first in the Big 12 in opponent scoring, allowing just under 51 points per game. Their injured star Isaiah Taylor is said to be hoping to return in their January 3rd conference opener against Texas Tech.
Last week: Defeated Texas State 59-27 (12/13)
This week: Vs. Lipscomb (12/16), Vs. Long Beach State (12/20)
2. Kansas Jayhawks, 8-1 (previous rank: 2)
Th Jayhawks had a good week. After defeating a solid Georgetown team on the road, they held off a second half run by Utah to defeat the Utes in Kansas City.
Last week: Defeated Georgetown 75-70 (12/10), Defeated #13 Utah 63-60 (12/13)
This week: Vs. Lafayette (12/20)
3. Iowa State Cyclones, 8-1 (previous rank: 3)
Bryce Dejean-Jones was suspended for Friday's game against Iowa after he was arrested (and released) on December 11th. The charges were later dropped and Dejean-Jones played in the Cyclones win over Southern. He's averaging over 22 PPG in his last three contests, and 17.1 PPG on the season.
Last week: Defeated UMKC 73-56 (12/9), Defeated Iowa 90-75 (12/12), Defeated Southern 88-78 (12/14)
This week:Vs. Drake (12/20)
4. Oklahoma Sooners, 6-2 (previous rank: 4)
TaShawn Thomas had by far his best game as a Sooner last week, scoring 25 points in Oklahoma's road win over Tulsa.
Last week: Defeated Tulsa 87-68 (12/13)
This week: Vs. Oral Roberts (12/16), Vs. #17 Washington (12/20)
5. West Virginia Mountaineers, 9-1 (previous rank: 5)
Stop me if you've heard this before: West Virginia defeated Marshall in a brutally ugly game in Charleston. The Mountaineers and Herd combined to shoot 59 free throws in another foul-fest at the Civic Center. WVU forced another boatload of turnovers. They are first in the Big 12 in turnover margin at +11.70. The second best is nowhere near that, with Oklahoma State coming in at +2.89.
Last week: Defeated Marshall 69-66 (12/14)
This week: Vs. NC State @ MSG (12/20)
6. Baylor Bears, 8-1 (previous rank: 6)
Baylor defeated former Big 12 member Texas A&M last week. Forward Rico Gathers lead everyone in the conference in rebounds at 10.2 per game.
Last week: Defeated Texas A&M 77-63 (12/9)
This week: Vs. New Mexico State (12/17)
7. TCU Horned Frogs, 10-0 (previous rank: 7)
TCU is sitting pretty at 10-0 and is receiving votes for both the AP and USA Today polls. What a difference a year makes.
Last week: Defeated Furman 80-69 (12/9), Defeated McNeese State 68-50 (12/13)
This week: Vs. UT-San Antonio (12/20)
8. Oklahoma State Cowboys, 8-1 (previous rank: 8)
The Cowboys bounced back from their ugly loss at South Carolina with a solid win in Memphis against the Tigers.
Last week: Defeated Memphis 73-55 (12/13)
This week: Vs. Middle Tennessee (12/16), Vs. #19 Maryland (12/21)
9. Texas Tech Red Raiders, 7-1 (previous rank: 9)
Texas Tech let Prairie View A&M hang around for a while before turning up the heat for a 28 point victory.
Last week: Defeated Fresno State 73-56 (12/10), Defeated Prairie View A&M 79-51 (12/14)
This week: Vs. South Carolina State (12/17), Vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff (12/19)
10. Kansas State Wildcats, 6-4 (previous rank: 10)
Kansas State nearly had another terrible loss to add to it's resume. The Wildcats survived Bradley 50-47 after trailing 19-18 at the half.
Last week: Defeated Bradley 50-47 (12/9), Defeated Savannah State 73-53 (12/14)
This week: Vs. Texas A&M @ Kansas City (12/20)