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Big 12 College Basketball Power Rankings: Week 15

Big 12 College Basketball Power Rankings For Week 15

Big 12 College Basketball
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With only a few weeks left in the regular season, Big 12 teams are feeling more pressure each and every game. Separating the squads ranked between third and seventh continues to be very difficult. A couple of major upsets occurred on Valentine’s Day last week, and it has become unwise to jump to serious conclusions regarding mostly everyone in the Big 12.

10. Texas Tech (12-14, 2-11)

Texas Tech Red Raiders College Basketball
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10. Texas Tech (12-14, 2-11)

Texas Tech Red Raiders College Basketball
Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

[Previous Rank: 9]
After fighting off TCU and holding on to the ninth spot in these power rankings the past several weeks, Texas Tech unfortunately drops to last place this week. They’ve lost five out of their last six games, and each of those losses was essentially a blowout. The Red Raiders are ranked last in the conference in scoring margin (-2.7), according to Big12Sports.com.

9. TCU (15-10, 2-10)

TCU Horned Frogs Basketball
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9. TCU (15-10, 2-10)

TCU Horned Frogs Basketball
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

[Previous Rank: 10]
The Horned Frogs emerge from the conference basement this week after notching a surprising win over a red-hot Oklahoma State team on Feb. 14. Although prior to that victory, TCU had lost seven games in a row. This squad still struggles to shoot the ball from everywhere on the court. They’ll face Kansas State and Kansas coming up this week.

8. Kansas State (13-13, 6-7)

Kansas State Wildcats College Basketball
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8. Kansas State (13-13, 6-7)

Kansas State Wildcats College Basketball
Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

[Previous Rank: 8]
The highlight of the week for Kansas State was ending their five-game losing streak with a win over Oklahoma on Feb. 14. Even with Marcus Foster ranked sixth in the conference in points per game (14.0), the Wildcats have struggled to score consistently this season. The team is also ranked ninth in field goal percentage defense (44.2 percent) and doesn’t excel in any aspect of the game statistically.

7. Texas (17-8, 6-6)

Texas Longhorns College Basketball
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7. Texas (17-8, 6-6)

Texas Longhorns College Basketball
Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

[Previous Rank: 7]
It's the same old story with the Longhorns; after losing four in a row, they’ve now won their last three games. Their wins did come against TCU and Texas Tech last week, but they played very well in both matchups. Texas is still within two games of second place in the Big 12 standings and could make a run toward the top of the conference before the season is over.

6. West Virginia (19-6, 7-5)

West Virginia Mountaineers College Basketball
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6. West Virginia (19-6, 7-5)

West Virginia Mountaineers College Basketball
Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

[Previous Rank: 5]
The knock on the Mountaineers this season has been their lack of quality wins, and that continued last week. West Virginia beat Kansas State to start Week 14, but they followed the victory with a blowout loss to Iowa State. This team remains 1-5 against AP Top 25 opponents and feasts on inferior teams. They’ll have their chance to record at least one substantial win this week when they face Kansas and Oklahoma State.

5. Baylor (18-7, 6-6)

Baylor Bears College Basketball
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5. Baylor (18-7, 6-6)

Baylor Bears College Basketball
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

[Previous Rank: 3]
Perhaps I gave the Bears a little too much praise in last week’s power rankings. Baylor lost to Oklahoma State at home and Kansas on the road in Week 14. Those certainly aren’t bad losses, but the team didn't play particularly well in either test. It appears that great rebounding and defense can only take you so far in this high-powered conference.

4. Oklahoma State (17-8, 7-6)

Oklahoma State Cowboys College Basketball
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4. Oklahoma State (17-8, 7-6)

Oklahoma State Cowboys College Basketball
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

[Previous Rank: 6]
The rise of the No. 22 Cowboys in recent weeks continues. Prior to their terrible loss to TCU on the road on Feb. 14, Oklahoma State defeated Texas, Kansas and Baylor. Those wins make their loss to the Horned Frogs somewhat excusable. We’ll likely know if this team is for real after Week 15, as they’ll face Iowa State and West Virginia.

3. Oklahoma (17-8, 8-5)

Oklahoma Sooners College Basketball
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3. Oklahoma (17-8, 8-5)

Oklahoma Sooners College Basketball
Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

[Previous Rank: 4]
The Sooners receive their highest ranking of the season this week, as they’ve won five out of their last six contests. If the team hadn’t lost to Kansas State over the weekend, they may have been holding down the No. 2 spot in these rankings. Oklahoma beat a solid Iowa State squad on Feb. 9 and is a good all-around team. However, if they could improve in one area, it’s rebounding margin (+0.8).

2. Iowa State (18-6, 8-4)

Iowa State Cyclones College Basketball
Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

2. Iowa State (18-6, 8-4)

Iowa State Cyclones College Basketball
Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

[Previous Rank: 2]
The Cyclones have been a little shaky lately, going 2-2 in their last four games. I may sound like a broken record, but Iowa State’s offense continues to demolish opponents and is one of the best units in the nation. If they want to rise to the top spot in these rankings, they'll need to pick up their effort on the defensive end specifically. They’ll face Oklahoma State and Texas coming up this week.

1. Kansas (21-4, 10-2)

Kansas Jayhawks College Basketball
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1. Kansas (21-4, 10-2)

Kansas Jayhawks College Basketball
Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

[Previous Rank: 1]
The Jayhawks remain on the Big 12 throne after beating Texas Tech and Baylor last week. They’ve won seven of eight and are unbeaten at Allen Fieldhouse (12-0). Kansas isn’t immune to an upset loss, but they have a very favorable schedule remaining. Their opponents include TCU, Kansas State, Texas and West Virginia (twice). Bill Self’s crew is the clear favorite to emerge with the Big 12 regular-season conference title.

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