Big 12 Power Rankings: Kansas State sits at the top of the conference

1. Kansas State (5-1, 16-2)

I may have predicted No. 13 Kansas State to contend for a Big 12 title before the season started, but I still didn’t envision the first 18 games to go this smoothly. K-State did happen to receive their first loss of Big 12 play this past week at the hands of TCU in Fort Worth.

However, the Wildcats followed that up with a win over No. 2 Kansas at home. Jerome Tang is doing an unreal job of having his team prepared to play and win in a variety of ways. Up next on the docket for Kansas State are battles with Texas Tech in Manhattan and No. 12 Iowa State in Ames. (Last: 2)

2. Kansas (5-1, 16-2) 

The Jayhawks have not breezed through the first six games of Big 12 action. But they’ve done well enough late in games to squeak out four close victories, along with defeating West Virginia by 14. Those were followed by a one-point overtime loss to K-State in Bramlage Coliseum.

Kansas has some serious talent as usual.

Jalen Wilson poured in 38 points on the Wildcats and Gradey Dick has displayed massive potential. They are void a few pieces that they typically have, like an elite point guard or a true center. But they do still receive good minutes from both guard Dajuan Harris and forward KJ Adams.

Adams in particular has been massive in conference contests.

Kevin McCullar is slightly having his best season yet from a statistical standpoint, but he was scoreless against Kansas State for the first time this season. Not only that, the former Texas Tech Red Raider fouled out as well. (Last: 1)

3. Iowa State (5-1, 14-3) 

In the Sunflower Showdown post game press conference, Jayhawk head coach Bill Self mentioned that he believes K-State head coach Jerome Tang and Iowa State head coach T.J. Otzelberger deserve consideration for Big 12 and National Coach of the Year awards.

That is high praise from one of the best to do it.

I was absolutely wrong about the Cyclones. I thought they’d struggle since losing Tyrese Hunter, but instead it seems it may have fueled them even more. In fact, they took care of Texas and Hunter by double-digits this week. Before that, they took their first Big 12 loss in Lawrence by just two points.

They’ve also blown out Baylor and Texas Tech. They’re for sure arguably the best team in the conference at the moment. Their showdown with Kansas State on Tuesday in Hilton Coliseum is going to be a must-watch. (Last: 3)

4. Texas (4-2, 15-3)   

Texas has impressively persevered through the Chris Beard distraction. Since that day, they’ve won three of their five games, with the only losses being to K-State about 20 days ago and Iowa State earlier this week.

The Longhorns will look to return to the win column when they travel to Morgantown on Saturday. (Last: 4)

5. Baylor (3-3, 13-5)   

Baylor started the league 0-3, which included a loss to Kansas State, and they have rallied to get back to .500 with wins over West Virginia, Oklahoma State and Texas Tech. The Bears look to continue the streak in the next week with Oklahoma and Kansas awaiting them. (Last: 6)

6. TCU (3-3, 14-4) 

The Horned Frogs needed the win over K-State badly. It is their only victory in the last four contests, and they won it in convincing fashion. However, they are coming off a loss to a West Virginia team that previously hadn’t won a game since before Christmas.

It gets even tougher for TCU this weekend when they travel to Lawrence. (Last: 5)

7. Oklahoma State (2-4, 10-8)  

Oklahoma State has also lost three of their last four games (including to Kansas State in Manhattan), but on Wednesday evening, they handled Oklahoma with ease. Now they look prepare for two ranked opponents this week, Iowa State and Texas. (Last: 8)

8. Oklahoma (2-4, 11-7)

The Sooners have been inconsistent. Coming off a blowout loss to Oklahoma State has them wounded and dates with three ranked teams in a row could keep Oklahoma near the bottom of the league moving forward. (Last: 7)

9. West Virginia (1-5, 11-7)    

Advanced metrics might love the Mountaineers, but that is not going to fool me.

They did finally capture their first league win of the year by taking down TCU by nine points at home. They’ve battled teams tough most of the year, including in a loss to K-State, but West Virginia doesn’t have many wins to show for it.

Maybe the latest victory will inspire Bob Huggins’ group to knock off Texas and Texas Tech. (Last: 9)

10. Texas Tech (0-6, 10-8)

We are witnessing a fall from grace Texas Tech. They are just two years removed from losing their head coach to Texas. The Big 12 is the best conference in the nation, and the Red Raiders are feeling that wrath. All but one (Oklahoma) of their six Big 12 opponents were and are currently ranked.

They have to now prepare for one of the hottest teams in the country in Kansas State. (Last: 10)

As a KSO subscriber, Kansas State fans can find out more about the rest of the recruiting targets still being chased, which underclassmen players could return for the Wildcats and how many of the seniors will be back on the roster for an extra season in Manhattan.

They can continue to learn more and more about the basketball team, their growth and follow along with us for the entirety of the season.

Remember, we have plenty of offseason coverage on the way to track how K-State is tracking in the transfer portal, and Jerome Tang and the Wildcats continue to trek towards a potential magical season that concludes with a tournament run.

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