Big 12 Basketball: Week 3 Power Rankings

The Red Raiders started the season off with an insignificant win against Loyola (MD) and followed it up with a heartbreaking loss to LSU in overtime. They were able to recover from their loss to the Tigers by defeating Missouri State over the weekend. Head coach Tubby Smith will have his hands full once again with this team in his second season.

After going winless in all of their Big 12 conference games last season, the Horned Frogs have started this season with three-straight non-conference wins. However, they were all against poor teams, such as Prairie View, Washington State and New Orleans.

The Wildcats, who were predicted by many to have a solid season in the Big 12, have endured a difficult start to their year. After beating Southern Utah easily in their opening game, Kansas State was forced to overcome a halftime deficit to beat UMKC by only 10 points. They followed that near defeat by losing to Long Beach State, 69-60.

The Cowboys finished eighth in the conference last season but have started this season with four straight non-conference wins. However, all of their victories came against inferior teams, so it’s too early to determine if this team really belongs in the top-half of the conference.

Similar to many Big 12 teams thus far, Baylor has opened the season with three straight victories, but they all came against substandard opponents. Those teams include McNeese State, South Carolina and Prairie View.

The Sooners opened the season ranked No. 18 in the AP poll, but they lost their second game to a Creighton team that is now without last season’s College Player of the Year Doug McDermott and isn't projected to make the tournament. Oklahoma looks to get back on track with a big win against No. 22 UCLA on Nov. 26.

Currently ranked No. 21, the Mountaineers are off to a great start to the season. After registering three easy wins against bad opponents, West Virginia defeated Boston College and No. 24 UCONN in back-to-back games. They finished seventh in the Big 12 last year, but should make a push into the top-five this season.

The Cyclones, led by outstanding head coach Fred Hoiberg, are ranked No. 13 heading into Week 3. It’s difficult to judge this team since they’ve only played two games so far, which were against Oakland and Georgia State. However, Iowa State should be in contention for the Big 12 title all season.

The No. 11 ranked Jayhawks didn’t fare well in their first test of the season against a loaded Kentucky team, losing 72-40. However, this is still a very deep team with several players who have NBA-type talent. Head coach Bill Self will bring this team together and Kansas will continue to improve.

The Longhorns are currently ranked No. 7 in the nation and finished fourth in the Big 12 last season. Texas is much improved this year and should be in the running for the conference title by season’s end. They’ve already beaten the likes of Iowa and Cal to win the 2K Classic Championship, as head coach Rick Barnes has this team thinking big.