Big 12 women's basketball preview: Power rankings

The women’s college basketball season is now less than one month away, which means it’s time to start diving into some preseason coverage. The Big 12 will be the second league we break down at On3, with others to come in the following weeks.

While there are plenty of new pieces and unknowns for several Big 12 teams, let’s break down On3’s preseason power rankings.

Title contenders

1. Iowa State

While most have TCU as the favorite to win the Big 12 this year, I think Iowa State has the slight edge on paper. They return their core from a year ago (minus point guard Emily Ryan) and add Arizona transfer Jada Williams to fill that hole. 

The Cyclones underperformed last year, but if they can stay healthy, they’re a dangerous team. The duo of Addy Brown and Audi Crooks gives the cyclones two of the best offensive weapons in the country. Brown averaged 15.2 points, 7.7 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game last season, while Crooks averaged 23.4 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. 

Williams, slotting in at point guard, and Wofford transfer Evangelina Paulk will both make immediate impacts on both ends of the floor. With a healthy Kenzie Hare returning to action and a group of role players to ease the load for their stars, Iowa State’s depth should improve. 

Expect the offense to continue running through Brown and Crooks, but the ceiling for this group will depend on how much the perimeter play develops and how effectively Iowa State defends. 

X-FACTOR: Jada Williams

2. TCU

TCU might be the most intriguing team in the Big 12 this season after completely retooling its roster through the transfer portal yet again. There’s no Sedona Prince or Hailey van Lith to carry this team to another Elite Eight – but there is someone else. 

The Horned Frogs landed one of the biggest additions in the country in Olivia Miles, the former Notre Dame star who averaged 15.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game. TCU instantly gains a floor general capable of elevating everyone around her. 

She’ll be joined by Marta Suárez from Cal, a versatile forward who put up 12.9 points and 7.2 rebounds, Kennedy Basham, a 6-7 center from Oregon who brings size and rim protection and Clara Silva, who had a promising freshman campaign at Kentucky.

If chemistry comes together quickly, TCU’s ceiling is as high as anyone’s in the league. With elite talent, size, versatility, and a true star in Miles, the Frogs look capable of making another deep run in the NCAA Tournament.

X-FACTOR: Olivia Miles

3. Baylor

Baylor enters the season with one of the most talented rosters in the Big 12. The Bears return a strong veteran core led by Darianna Littlepage-Buggs (13.8 PPG, 10 RPG) and Bella Fontleroy (9 PPG, 5.8 RPG), giving them toughness and consistency in the frontcourt. Around them, head coach Nicki Collen has built a roster loaded with scoring options and versatility, making Baylor a legitimate threat once again.

The Bears added several impact transfers, highlighted by Taliah Scott, who averaged 22.1 points per game at Arkansas as a freshman before redshirting last year, and Yuting Deng, who posted 11.8 points per game at Auburn. 

If the new pieces mesh with their returning core, Baylor’s offensive potential could be unmatched in the league. With experience, size, and capable scorers across positions, the Bears have the makeup of a contender.

X-FACTOR: Taliah Scott

NCAA Tournament Teams

4. Oklahoma State

Oklahoma State returns a proven core and adds one of the most balanced transfer classes in the Big 12. The Cowgirls will again be led by Stailee Heard, who averaged 16.8 points and 8.2 rebounds last season and emerged as one of the conference’s breakout stars. Alongside her, veteran guard Micah Gray (13.7 PPG) gives OSU a reliable perimeter scorer, while sophomore Jadyn Wooten returns to help run the point after showing steady growth as a distributor.

The Cowgirls hit the portal hard to surround their core with experience and depth. Amari Whiting from BYU and Haleigh Timmer from South Dakota State both bring playmaking, experience and outside shooting, while Achol Akot from UCF provides size and rebounding inside. 

If the newcomers integrate smoothly, Oklahoma State could surprise some teams near the top of the standings. Their returning production and versatility make them a dark-horse contender for a deeper run this year.

X-FACTOR: Stailee Heard

5. West Virginia

West Virginia looks ready to build on last season with one of the more complete rosters in the league, even after graduating JJ Quinerly. 

The Mountaineers return a dynamic backcourt duo in Jordan Harrison (13.7 PPG, 4.5 APG) and Sydney Shaw (11.4 PPG). The Mountaineers’ defensive pressure was a defining trait a year ago, and with added depth, their strengths should only grow.

The portal bolstered their scoring ability and experience level tremendously. Kierra Wheeler (Norfolk State) averaged 15.8 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks, while Gigi Cooke (Houston) and Riley Makalusky (Butler) added a scoring punch and Carter McCray (Wisconsin) provided size and rebounding inside. Combined with the returning core, this team has plenty of balance.

West Virginia’s identity will likely remain its relentless defense, but this year’s group has a lot of offensive versatility. If the chemistry develops, the Mountaineers could push another NCAA Tournament run.

X-FACTOR: Jordan Harrison

6. Kansas State

Kansas State enters the season with a fresh roster built largely through the transfer portal, as head coach Jeff Mittie looks to reset the program’s foundation. The Wildcats take a major hit after stars Ayoka Lee and Serena Sundell exhausted their eligibility. It’ll certainly be a new-look team. Taryn Sides returns as the team’s primary playmaker after averaging 9.2 points, 4 rebounds, and 2.8 assists, and she’ll now help lead a group defined by new faces and potential.

The Wildcats added several intriguing pieces who could make an impact right away. Tess Heal (Stanford) and Izela Arenas (Louisville) bring strong perimeter shooting. In the frontcourt, Jenessa Cotton (Duke) and Ramiya White (Virginia Tech) provide much-needed size, but didn’t see much of an impact at their previous schools. 

The rising star of this team, though, is freshman Jordan Speiser. I’d expect her to make an impact immediately and contribute greatly to the success of this team. 

There may be growing pains early, but the addition of experienced Power Five talent and the proven coaching of Jeff Mittie at the helm gives this roster a fairly high ceiling. If the transfers settle in quickly, Kansas State could outperform expectations.

X-FACTOR: Jordan Speiser

7. Kansas

Kansas heads into the season with continuity at the top and the best freshman class in the Big 12. The Jayhawks return a strong trio in S’Mya Nichols (18.6 PPG, 4.7 APG), Elle Evans (14.4 PPG, 4.1 RPG), and Regan Williams (9 PPG, 4.9 RPG), giving them an established core to build around. 

Nichols is the centerpiece – a crafty, high-IQ scorer who can take over games – while Evans and Williams provide length, athleticism, and versatility on both ends.

Where things get exciting is with the newcomers. Keeley Parks, a five-star freshman and one of the top recruits in the country, brings elite scoring instincts and a strong defensive motor. She headlines a freshman group that also includes Libby Fandel, Tatyonna Brown, and Jaliya Davis, all of whom should push for early minutes. Add in Indiana transfer Lilly Meister as a steady frontcourt presence, and Kansas has a blend of proven P5 talent and freshmen that could make it dangerous.

X-FACTOR: Keeley Parks

Bubble teams

8. Colorado

Colorado is a bit of a wild card to me. Besides senior Jade Masogayo, there are no returning starters on roster and just two other players from last season. But the Buffaloes did attack the transfer portal. 

Zyanna Walker (Kansas State) and Desiree Wooten (Georgia Southern) give Colorado two versatile scoring guards, while Anaelle Dutat (URI) brings rebounding and an inside presence. The addition of Claire O’Connor from Gonzaga and Maeve McErlane from DePaul adds more playmaking depth and experience. 

This is a team with a lot of question marks on paper, but if the newcomers transition quickly, Colorado could be competitive in the Big 12. 

X-FACTOR: Zyanna Walker

9. BYU

BYU brings back a solid foundation and pairs it with a promising mix of young talent and size. The Cougars return standout sophomore Delaney Gibb, who averaged 17.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.1 assists as a freshman and quickly became one of the most well-rounded guards in the conference. She’ll be joined by veteran Arielle Mackey-Williams, who returns after missing last season, providing leadership and perimeter shooting.

The Cougars also add Lara Rohkohl, a 6-3 transfer from Charleston who averaged 10.1 points and 9.2 rebounds, giving them a new inside presence. Around that trio, BYU features a deep group of developing guards, including Marya Hudgins and Brinley Cannon – and a freshman class headlined by Sydney Benally and Olivia Hamlin, both expected to see some meaningful minutes.

If Gibb continues her dominance and the Cougars’ young players mature quickly, BYU could sneak into postseason contention in its first Big 12 season under new head coach Lee Cummard.

X-FACTOR: Delaney Gibb

10. Utah

Utah lost their star, Gianna Kneepkens, to the transfer portal. But luckily, they return a few major contributors. 

The Utes bring back Reese Ross (7.8 PPG, 5 RPG) and Maty Wilke (9.2 PPG), both capable of stretching the floor and providing steady veteran presence, while Chyra Evans, a transfer from Michigan who redshirted last season, could emerge as a key frontcourt contributor.

Utah dipped into the portal and brought back a familiar face. They added Lani White from Virginia Tech, who spent her first two seasons with the Utes. Her production saw a big uptick last season and she’ll likely be a major contributor for Utah this year. Their freshman class, led by Avery Hjelmstad and LA Sneed, give the group depth and talent in the backcourt. 

There’s enough talent for Utah to stay competitive, but the key will be finding consistent scoring and identity early in the season. 

X-FACTOR: Lani White

The rest

11. Arizona State

Arizona State might be one of the most improved teams in the Big 12 after completely overhauling its roster with new head coach Molly Miller at the helm. 

The Sun Devils added an impressive group of transfers, headlined by Gabby Elliott (Penn State), a proven Power Five scorer who averaged 13.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per game, and Jordan Jones (Denver), who put up 19.9 points and 6.7 rebounds last season. They’ll be joined by Marley Washenitz, a guard who can handle the ball and shoot the three.

They also landed McKinna Brackens (UNLV), a forward who Miller says could really stand out, and Last-Tear Poa (LSU), a national champion whose experience will be key in league play. 

After struggling last season, it feels like the Sun Devils have a new burst of energy and optimism. If chemistry forms quickly, the Sun Devils could surprise and climb into the middle tier of the standings.

X-FACTOR: McKinna Brackens

12. Arizona

Arizona enters this season with a new head coach and an entirely new roster. Head coach Becky Burke quickly assembled a roster after getting the job, but landed some hardworking players with chips on their shoulders. 

The Wildcats will likely rely heavily on Mickayla Perdue (Cleveland State), an experienced guard who averaged 20 points per game, alongside Sumayah Sugapong (UC San Diego), a versatile guard who posted 14.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.8 assists last season.

It’s hard to know who will get heavy minutes, as the team is entirely new, but Burke brings in Nora Francois from New Orleans to help bolster the team’s frontcourt. The challenge here will be integrating so many newcomers from all levels to Big 12 play. But this team certainly has talent and upside. 

X-FACTOR: Mickayla Perdue

13. Cincinnati

Cincinnati’s rebuild takes a major step forward this year with the arrival of five-star freshman Dee Alexander, a hometown star who represents the program’s future. One of the top recruits in the nation, Alexander brings elite playmaking skills, athleticism, and poise beyond her age. She’ll immediately be a focal point of the Bearcats’ offense and the centerpiece of their new era under head coach Katrina Merriweather.

Cincinnati brings back junior guard Reagan Jackson to add a scoring punch, alongside FAU transfer Mya Perry, who averaged 15.5 points per game last season. In the frontcourt, the Bearcats return Alliance Ndiba, who was second on the team in rebounding with 7.1 boards a game last year. 

While the bright spots on this team need to gain experience, Cincinnati did a great job on the recruiting trail adding pieces that’ll boost their potential. 

X-FACTOR: Dee Alexander

14. Texas Tech

Texas Tech enters the season with a veteran-heavy roster full of experience. The Lady Raiders return guards Bailey Maupin (13.6 PPG) and Denae Fritz, both capable of stretching the floor. 

Head coach Krista Gerlich reloaded through the portal, adding frontcourt stability and offensive firepower. Jada Malone (Texas A&M) brings interior scoring and rebounding, while Sidney Love (UTSA) and Gemma Nunez (Campbell) add playmaking and versatility in the backcourt. They also added Ole Miss transfer Snudda Collins, who has the potential to be a perimeter threat. 

This is a big year for the Lady Raiders, and while I don’t know if they improved drastically, there’s the potential for players like Malone and Maupin to shine. 

X-FACTOR: Bailey Maupin

15. Houston

Houston is in year one of a rebuild under first-year head coach Matthew Mitchell. The Cougars finished last in the Big 12 last season, so Mitchell has his work cut out to return this program to its’ first NCAA Tournament since 2011. 

The Cougars utilized the portal to bring in a few P5 transfers who will likely contribute immediately. They added senior guard TK Pitts from SMU (6.3 PPG, 4.9 RPG), Amirah Abdur-Rahim from Texas A&M (4.9 PPG) and Amani Bartlett from LSU, who should see an increased role. Returning junior guard Kierra Merchant and Kateri Poole were also key for Houston. 

This rebuild will likely take time, but this new-look team has talent. It’ll be about chemistry and seeing who’s ready to step into bigger roles.

X-FACTOR: Kierra Merchant

16. UCF

UCF enters the season with a nearly brand-new roster and plenty of question marks. The Knights return Khyala Ngodu (6.9 PPG, 5.9 RPG), who provides size and rim protection, while the rest of the rotation will likely be headlined by an abundance of transfers.

Leah Harmon from Miami will boost the backcourt, while Auburn transfer Savannah Scott gives them another post option alongside Ngodu. With so many newcomers, this year will be about building continuity for the Knights. 

​​X-FACTOR: Leah Harmon