Big 12 2023 Basketball Power Rankings, Summer Edition

Let’s get right to it:

1) Kansas — Barring injury, I would be shocked, shocked I tell you, if anyone else wins the conference. KU clearly has the best team on paper. There are some questions — how well do the Jayhawks shoot and can they survive teams that get creative to force Hunter Dickinson to guard on the perimeter — but those problems are much better than their competitors. 

2) Texas — Rodney Terry has a talented roster for his first full season leading things in Austin. I’m still a bit worried about how Texas does with him long-term, though I truly have no qualms if Texas goes winless in the SEC. I think Tyrese Hunter will have a monster season. 

3) Houston — I try to be objective, so don’t attack me more than usual for this, but LJ Cryer is going to have a massive year. Kelvin Sampson returns a few nice pieces as well. 

4) Baylor — Wouldn’t be shocked with a second-place finish or if Baylor finishes a chunk lower. I think this is clearly a tournament team. I still worry about if this team can be a top 10 offense, and it needs to be a top 25 defense. 

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5) Kansas State — Jerome Tang had a wonderful first season. You can squint and think this team finishes second. You can also squint and think Tang got a little lucky last season with a late transfer. I’d expect the Wildcats to win an NCAA Tournament game this year. 

6) Oklahoma State — Mike Boynton is probably on the hot seat. He’s felt close so many times and never caught a break down there. I think he guides the Cowboys back to the NCAA Tournament. 

7) TCU — Mike Mile’s loss will hurt the Horned Frogs. But I’d expect good things from Jameer Nelson Jr. (that makes me feel old). 

8) West Virginia — Maybe it’s crazy to keep West Virginia this high after what happened with Bob Huggins. But if they can make a decent hire and keep the roster together, this team should make the dance. 

9) Oklahoma — I think the Porter Moser era comes to a close along with OU’s run in the Big 12. I don’t see it happening for the Sooners. 

10) Cincinnati — There are whispers this team is ready to make a move in the Big 12. I need to see it as the competition rears up in the Big 12. 

11) Iowa State — The Ames faithful can say nobody believes in them. But this team feels a year away. Iowa State benefitted from being a million years old last year. 

12) BYU — Probably ranking this team too low. Once I do my deep-dive, I may move them up. 

13) Texas Tech — It won’t be long before the Red Raiders finish higher in the league. I still am waiting for a “tell all” feature on what in the world happened that last year in Lubbock. 

14) UCF — I still feel weird thinking about this team in the Big 12.