Jan 14, 2023; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard Caleb Grill (2) shoots a three point shot against Kansas Jayhawks guard Dajuan Harris Jr. (3) during the first half at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
We’re set to start another week and the new week brings some colossal Big 12 contests along with it.
This week’s slate features games between our No. 1 and No. 3 teams, No. 2 and No. 4 and No. 1 and No. 5. This is the type of week when contenders are separated from pretenders in the Big 12 race.
Let’s rank…
1 – Kansas – 5-0
The defending national champions just keep finding a way. They trailed late at home against Oklahoma and Iowa State last week and figured out a way to win both of them. They’ll get their biggest road challenge to this point in the season on Tuesday when they visit Kansas State.
This week: @ Kansas State (Tuesday), vs. TCU (Saturday)
2 – Iowa State – 4-1
The league’s best defensive team will give themselves a chance on any given night with their prowess on that end alone. Coupling that with a competent offense gives this program a chance to reach its highest Big 12 finish in recent history. The Cyclones will likely need to go 2-0 this week if they’re going to keep themselves in the race for the Big 12 title until the season’s final weeks.
This week: vs. Texas (Tuesday), @ Oklahoma State (Saturday)
3 – Kansas State – 4-1
I can’t say I was shocked to see the Wildcats crash back to Earth a little bit with their loss on the road in Fort Worth on Saturday. Jerome Tang’s team reminds me a lot of Iowa State’s team last season with its heavy reliance on two guys every single night. Markquis Nowell and Keyontae Johnson are one of the league’s best duos, but if one of those guys has an off night, who steps up?
This week: vs. Kansas (Tuesday), vs. Texas Tech (Saturday)
4 – Texas – 4-1
The Longhorns have responded well after their embarrassing loss to Kansas State in the Big 12 slate’s first week. They escaped with a pair of close home wins last week against TCU and Texas Tech. The Longhorns overcame significant deficits in both games. What happens if Texas digs itself into a hole on the road? We might find out Tuesday night.
This week: @ Iowa State (Tuesday), @ West Virginia (Saturday)
5 – TCU – 3-2
Iowa State’s win in Fort Worth is going to keep looking better and better as this season progresses. Jamie Dixon has one of the league’s most complete teams on paper and we’re starting to see that come through with the rotation getting back to full strength and full health. The Frogs have an opportunity to leap back into league title contention if they can sweep a pair of games on the road this week, but that’s easier said than done with a trip to Allen Fieldhouse looming.
This week: @ West Virginia (Wednesday), @ Kansas (Saturday)
6 – Baylor – 2-3
Scott Drew’s team bounced back from one of its worst starts to Big 12 play in more than a decade by going 2-0 last week with one of those wins coming on the road. The Bears have three of the league’s most lethal backcourt scoring options. The trio of Keyonte George, Adam Flagler and LJ Cryer will continue to make this team dangerous every night.
This week: @ Texas Tech (Tuesday), @ Oklahoma (Saturday)
7 – Oklahoma – 2-3
Porter Moser’s team had a chance to pick up the best win of the Big 12 season to this point when it had a 10-point lead with roughly five minutes to play last week in Lawrence. We know they weren’t able to close against the Jayhawks, but they did close a one-point win over West Virginia on Saturday in Norman.
This week: @ Oklahoma State (Wednesday), vs. Baylor (Saturday)
8 – Oklahoma State – 1-4
The Cowboys have had the league’s worst offense in Big 12 play and the results reflect that at this point. Oklahoma State defends as well as anyone in the league not named Iowa State, but even getting to 60 points every night has been a chore. Mike Boynton’s team will win some games but they seem likely to be spending March on their couches considering their current trajectory. They need to protect home court twice this week if they’re going to turn this thing around.
This week: vs. Oklahoma (Wednesday), vs. Iowa State (Saturday)
9 – West Virginia – 0-5
The metrics still seem to love Bob Huggins’ team, but having good metrics doesn’t necessarily win games. The Mountaineers really could have used a win in Norman on Saturday, but came up a point short. Both games on West Virginia’s schedule this week appear to be winnable, especially in Morgantown. This team is in trouble if it continues to have the league’s No. 8 offense and No. 9 defense (in league play only), though.
This week: vs. TCU (Wednesday), vs. Texas (Saturday)
10 – Texas Tech – 0-5
The Red Raiders should be commended for bouncing back from their humiliating loss to Iowa State by going on the road and pushing Texas to the brink on Saturday in Austin. They couldn’t finish the job, though, and badly need some reinforcements to return from injury. I’m starting to think there are serious questions to be asked about the direction of this program.
This week: vs. Baylor (Tuesday), @ Kansas State (Saturday)
