Top 5 Power Rankings For 2016-17 Big 12 Basketball

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The Big 12 looked to be the best conference in college basketball throughout 2015-16, but they floundered in the NCAA tournament. With several teams losing big-name players, the Big 12 will be more open than ever in 2016-17, meaning that several teams will have a chance to break into the top of the conference. Here are the way-too-early top-five power rankings for the Big 12.

5. Iowa State Cyclones

Iowa State Cyclones Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Beating out the Oklahoma Sooners by a tiny margin, the return of Monte Morris should be enough to make this one of the top teams in the Big 12. Unfortunately for the Cyclones, nearly every squad in the Big 12 is a top team.

Beating out the Oklahoma Sooners by a tiny margin, the return of Monte Morris should be enough to make this one of the top teams in the Big 12. Unfortunately for the Cyclones, nearly every squad in the Big 12 is a top team.

4. Oklahoma State Cowboys

Oklahoma State Cowboys Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
One of the worst teams in the Big 12 last season, Oklahoma State gets a new coach in Brad Underwood and returns Phil Forte and Jawun Evans. If they can start winning on the road, watch out.

One of the worst teams in the Big 12 last season, Oklahoma State gets a new coach in Brad Underwood and returns Phil Forte and Jawun Evans. If they can start winning on the road, watch out.

3. West Virginia Mountaineers

West Virginia Mountaineers Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
I had West Virginia at No. 2 until Devin Williams signed with an agent, but the Mountaineers should still be one of the better teams in the conference. Do not be surprised if they push No. 1 the most out of any team in the Big 12.

I had West Virginia at No. 2 until Devin Williams signed with an agent, but the Mountaineers should still be one of the better teams in the conference. Do not be surprised if they push No. 1 the most out of any team in the Big 12.

2. Texas Longhorns

Texas Longhorns Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Shaka Smart and the Longhorns will be without Isaiah Taylor next season, but they should still be an NCAA tournament team.

Shaka Smart and the Longhorns will be without Isaiah Taylor next season, but they should still be an NCAA tournament team.

1. Kansas Jayhawks

Kansas Jayhawks Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
The Jayhawks might have lost Perry Ellis, Wayne Selden and Co., but returners like Frank Mason III and Devonte’ Graham will have this team locked into, at worst, the top 10 before the season even begins.

The Jayhawks might have lost Perry Ellis, Wayne Selden and Co., but returners like Frank Mason III and Devonte’ Graham will have this team locked into, at worst, the top 10 before the season even begins.

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