Big 12 Basketball Power Rankings - Jan. 11, 2016

1) Kansas (14-1 overall, 3-0 conference)
Poll Rankings: #1 AP, #1 Coaches
Kenpom: #1
Last game: at Texas Tech (W 69-59)
Next game: at West Virginia (1/12)

With the run KU is on and after another solid victory, the Jayhawks are solidly in first place in the power rankings this week. The top team in the land across the major polls/rankings, Kansas has been playing very well following their lone loss early this season in the Champions Classic, especially following their game at the Sprint Center in Kansas City against Oregon State. Mason playing well, Ellis playing well, things are solid in Lawrence as of now.

2) Oklahoma (13-1 overall, 2-1 conference)
Poll rankings: #2 AP, #2 Coaches
Kenpom: #3
Last game: vs. Kansas State (W 86-76)
Next game: at Oklahoma State (1/13)

KU and OU may be the two best teams in the country, let alone the Big 12. Despite the loss early this month in Lawrence, Oklahoma is still easily one of the best teams in the nation, as the nation saw them perform incredibly well in defeat. The Sooners continued their roll at home against K-State in their last game and it's doubtful that they'll be slowing down any time soon.

3) West Virginia (14-1 overall, 3-0 conference)
Poll rankings: #11 AP, #10 Coaches
Kenpom: 10
Last game: vs. Oklahoma State (W 77-60)
Next game: vs. Kansas (1/12)

Following a solid win at home against Oklahoma State this past Saturday, West Virginia is off to a very strong start to the season, quietly to some. It was a big win for the Mountaineers following a couple of closer calls in road games versus K-State and TCU. This week Bob Huggins' crew is hosting Kansas in a big test for both teams. The nation is in for quite a ride if it ends up anything like the last duel between these two schools.

4) Baylor (12-3 overall, 2-1 conference)
Poll rankings: #22 AP, #22 Coaches
Kenpom: 25
Last game: at Iowa State (W 94-89)
Next game: vs. TCU (1/13)

Following a brutal loss to Kansas on Jan. 2, Baylor has put together two good victories in a row. Of the two, their last game against Iowa State was very impressive, bouncing back from a 12-point second half deficit in Ames to upend the Cyclones. Three Bears, led by a 27-13 effort from Johnathan Motley, posted double-doubles against ISU.

5) Iowa State (12-3 overall, 1-2 conference)
Poll rankings: #17 AP, #18 Coaches
Kenpom: 23
Last game: vs. Baylor (L 89-94)
Next game: at Texas (1/12)

As great as the win in Ames was for Baylor, it was equally bad for Iowa State. There are very few times when you can give up 60 points in a half and be right there until the end. Still, the Cyclones have been close in both of their losses, but at the same time they have been to arguably the two of the three best teams they've played so far in Baylor and Oklahoma. Their next game is against Texas this week; it's a game they could really use to avoid falling too far behind the conference leaders.

6) Texas Tech (11-3 overall, 1-2 conference)
Poll rankings: NR AP, NR Coaches
Kenpom: 41
Last game: vs. Kansas (L 59-69)
Next game: at Kansas State (1-12)

Two losses in a row do not help the Red Raiders, but those two losses were both close-ish games against good teams in Iowa State and Kansas. Tech has shown flashes so far this season but they need to prove they can hang with the better teams. A win over so far winless K-State (in the Big 12, not overall) would be big for the Red Raiders getting back on track.

7) Oklahoma State 
Poll rankings: NR AP, NR Coaches
Kenpom: 92
Last game: at West Virginia (L 60-77)
Next game: vs. Oklahoma (1/13)

OSU started the conference slate off with a 21-point victory at home over TCU, but has since lost back-to-back contests against Baylor and West Virginia. The road doesn't get any easier coming up for Oklahoma State as they face intrastate rival Oklahoma in their next contest. Anthony Allen Jr. and Chris Olivier have both impressed down low defensively this season, each averaging at least 1.5 blocks per game thus far.

8) TCU (9-6 overall, 1-2 conference)
Poll rankings: NR AP, NR Coaches
Kenpom: 147
Last game: vs. Texas (W 58-57)
Next game: at Baylor (1/13)

The only team in the bottom half of the conference standings who won their last game, TCU checks in at number seven this week. It was a close game versus the Longhorns but a win nonetheless. This season could easily turn into a repeat of last season, when the Horned Frogs collapsed down the stretch after a perfect run in the non-conference schedule, the main difference being they didn't start out undefeated this season.

9) Texas (9-6 overall, 1-2 conference)
Poll rankings: NR AP, NR Coaches
Kenpom: 57
Last game: at TCU (L 57-58)
Next game: vs. Iowa State (1/12)

The Longhorns started the season 2-3 before going on a six game win streak, which included an upset of then-number three North Carolina. Since then, they have gone 1-3 and have not looked impressive. The talent to compete is there, but it's been a struggle for much of the season thus far for Shaka Smart's team (although the North Carolina win is still a relatively big deal).

10) Kansas State (10-5 overall, 0-3 conference)
Poll rankings: NR AP, NR Coaches
Kenpom: 44
Last game: at Oklahoma (L 76-86)
Next game: vs. Texas Tech (1/12)

Maybe this team will be spurred on by the announcement Bill SNyder is returning for the football team next year. By virtue of starting out the conference season without a win, K-State is in the basement of the power rankings this week. Their loss to West Virginia went to double overtime and they hung with Texas, only falling by three, but the fact remains they're still the only team in the conference without a win. They could dig themselves out of this spot with a win in Bramlage Coliseum this week against Texas Tech. 

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