Big 12 Rankings: Despite loss, Kansas State stays in top half

Another week in the Big 12 is wrapped up. Kansas State went 1-1 with a scary win against Oklahoma State and then another heartbreaking road loss. Here is where the KSO staff puts the Wildcats along with the rest of the Big 12.

1. HOUSTON COUGARS

Mason: 2
DY: 1
Drew: 1
Fan: 1

After two early road losses, Houston has ripped off three straight victories. Two of those came against ranked opponents. It isn’t just the Cougars as a team starting to get on track, LJ Cryer is coming along as well. After a 20-point outburst against West Virginia to start Big 12 play, he had been held to just 18 total points in three straight games. In his last two, the Baylor transfer has scored 39 points. He is also shooting it well at 9/19 from three. Kelvin Sampson’s squad returns from Provo with K-State waiting.

2. KANSAS JAYHAWKS

Mason: 1
DY: 3
Drew: 2
Fan: 3

It has been clear for a while now that this isn’t the same caliber of Kansas team that many expect. But they are still one of the best in the Big 12. Kevin McCullar is playing to a level that hasn’t been seen before and Hunter Dickinson is still a strong reliable big on the inside. The biggest boost to Kansas’ chances in the Big 12 has been Johnny Furphy. The Australian has taken a step forward with his game over the last three. He has scored in double figures in all three, and against Cincinnati, he dropped 23. He is also 9/17 from three during that stretch.

3. IOWA STATE CYCLONES

Mason: 3
DY: 4
Drew: 3
Fan: 2

TJ Otzelberger’s Cyclones are dangerous. The physicality Iowa State plays with clearly threw Kansas State for a loop on Wednesday. Iowa State also possesses numerous players who can carry the load on offense on a game-by-game basis, something that can make you tough to beat. Hilton Magic can also clearly get in the heads of the officials. This team also has a road win at TCU without Tamin Lipsey.

4. BAYLOR BEARS

Mason: 4
DY: 2
Drew: 5
Fan: 6

After dropping both games a week ago to K-State and Texas, Baylor got a week off to sit and think about what went wrong late in both games. A massive game awaits this weekend when TCU comes to Foster Pavilion. Baylor has already struggled at home with narrow victories, they will need to be careful and get a better shooting performance to avoid a disappointing home loss. This is a good team, but just won’t have enough to be a real threat to win the Big 12 this season.

5. TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS

Mason: 5
DY: 5
Drew: 4
Fan: 4

One of two teams to get their midweek bye this week, Texas Tech is sitting alone at the top of the Big 12 now. The Red Raiders hit the road this week to face Oklahoma and TCU, if they go and get both wins, it would be time to start talking about them as a legitimate threat to Houston or Kansas despite the talent disparity.

6. OKLAHOMA SOONERS

Mason: 8
DY: 8
Drew: 6
Fan: 5

It was a good start to the season for the Sooners, but similar to Baylor, the last week could easily shake your confidence. Barely surviving Cincinnati and then returning home and getting housed by Texas was a little shocking. This team has struggled on the road and now has a home loss, a bad sign for future success in the Big 12.

7. KANSAS STATE WILDCATS

Mason: 6
DY: 7
Drew: 7
Fan: 8

It is easy to see K-State’s flaws, but their two league losses were competitive games against the league leader and a league contender. The Cats have also defended home court to the tune of 3-0 this season, something that the likes of Oklahoma, TCU, and others have not done. It is easy to project why this team might slip further down the league standings as the schedule toughens, but right now they have a case as a top-half team.

8. TCU HORNED FROGS

Mason: 7
DY: 6
Drew: 12
Fan: 10

Getting down big and falling short in the comeback at home to Iowa State last weekend without Lipsey playing was bad news for the Frogs. They then dug a 17-point first-half hole against Oklahoma State in the midweek, only to charge back and win by five. This is a talented team playing for Jamie Dixon, but they don’t always play smart and together. It will hold them back and likely be another year that the Frogs don’t crack a better than .500 record in Big 12 play, something they still haven’t done since joining the league in 2012-2013.

9. TEXAS LONGHORNS

Mason: 10
DY: 10
Drew: 8
Fan: 7

Welcome to the winner’s circle Texas! Rodney Terry’s horns are firmly up. Max Abmas is the star that Kansas State fans hoped they would get in the transfer portal this offseason, while Dylan Disu is a powerful 1B right now. Abmas and Disu could be this year’s Markquis Nowell and Keyontae Johnson, they just don’t have a coach as good as Jerome Tang.

10. BYU COUGARS

Mason: 9
DY: 9
Drew: 10
Fan: 9

Water might be finding its level even 4,000 feet above sea level. BYU is one of four schools below .500 in league play. Cincinnati, West Virginia, and Oklahoma State join them. BYU is probably the best of the bunch, but this 18-game gauntlet is going to take a toll on the Cougars.

11. CINCINNATI BEARCATS

Mason: 11
DY: 11
Drew: 9
Fan: 11

The Bearcats have four Big 12 losses by a combined 13 points to Texas, Baylor, Oklahoma and Kansas. This team should right the ship and get to 4-4 in the next two games as they host UCF and West Virginia.

12. UCF KNIGHTS

Mason: 12
DY: 12
Drew: 11
Fan: 12

The Knights blasted West Virginia at home in a shocking blowout. This might be an NIT team and that should be considered a win in year one for Johnny Dawkins’ Big 12 experience. Their blowout loss to Kansas State seems like the outlier in their schedule currently.

13. WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEERS

Mason: 13
DY: 13
Drew: 13
Fan: 13

They actually have won some games.

14. OKLAHOMA STATE COWBOYS

Mason: 14
DY: 14
Drew: 14
Fan: 14

Mike Boynton: nice guy + zero wins = hot seat.