Big 12 Rankings: Regular season ends with Kansas State searching for hope

The 2023-2024 Big 12 season will conclude on Saturday. Houston has already wrapped up a share of the Big 12 title and can win it outright if they take care of Kansas at home. They also would get help if Kansas State beats Iowa State on Saturday. Here is the final Big 12 rankings from the KSO staff.

1. HOUSTON COUGARS

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

Most people knew that Kelvin Sampson had a legitimate national contender at Houston, but winning the Big 12 in year number one and adjusting to the 18-game grind confirms that the Cougars are one of the best in the country. Jamal Shead will likely be Big 12 Player of the Year.

2. IOWA STATE CYCLONES

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

The Cyclones aren’t offensive juggernauts, but they have a large chunk of their roster that can give you 15 any night. Pair a low-floor offense with one of the league’s better defenses, and you get a team that enters the final weekend of the regular season with a chance to earn a share of the Big 12 title. It may not be fun, but in three seasons TJ Otzelberger has proven he knows how to make Iowa State a consistent force in the Big 12.

3. BAYLOR BEARS

Mason: 3 DY: 3 Drew: 3 Fan: 3

The Bears have cemented themselves as the third-best team in the Big 12, and if not for a 1-3 start in league play they would be in the mix to win the conference title on Saturday. Nonetheless, Scott Drew’s squad is playing good basketball right now and gets a chance for a nice win on the road at Texas Tech to finish 2024.

4. KANSAS JAYHAWKS

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

The Jayhawks dismantled Kansas State on Tuesday night in Allen. Nothing new on Senior Night where Kansas has now won 42 straight games. Kansas is a different team away from home and when Kevin McCullar hasn’t been on the floor. The rest of the way one of those is a certainty. The Jayhawks will play at No. 1 Houston on Saturday before playing in the Big 12 Tournament and Kansas City. McCullar’s health seems to be improved, but it will be a key factor in if the Jayhawks can make a run in the NCAA Tournament.

5. BYU COUGARS

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

Mark Pope’s team is the real deal, they just had more of the adjustment period to Big 12 play than what Houston did. The Cougars navigated a tricky schedule with some big wins, tight games, and surprising losses.

6. TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS

Mason: 6 DY: 7 Drew: 5 Fan: 7

Year one has been a success for Grant McCasland in the Big 12, a win against Baylor on Saturday would get them to 11-7 in league play. With strong NIL backing and a coach who made a successful transition from mid-major to high-major, the Red Raiders will be a player in the years to come at the top of the Big 12.

T-7. TEXAS LONGHORNS

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

The Longhorns were starting to trend up a little, winners of three of their last four. But with a double-digit lead in hand on the road at Baylor, Dylan Disu injured his knee and now his status in the immediate future is up in the air. Max Abmas could carry the Horns, but a blown lead loss might put them in a tough spot against Oklahoma on Saturday.

T-7. TCU HORNED FROGS

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

The fate of the world is in UCF’s hands on Saturday. And what I mean by that is that my favorite Big 12 basketball streak has a chance to end on Saturday. Since joining the conference for the 2013 season, TCU has never finished above .500 in Big 12 play. A win on Saturday would make them 10-8, while a loss sends them to 9-9.

9. OKLAHOMA SOONERS

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

This is a classic Big 12 team that gets into the tournament as a 9 seed, but probably loses in the first round.

10. CINCINNATI BEARCATS

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

The Bearcats were trying to cling to whatever hope they might have of being a team on the bubble. They had a last-second win over Kansas State and then had a chance to take down Oklahoma on the road. Ultimately, it ended up as a loss, their seventh in the last nine games. They should get another win on Saturday against West Virginia.

11. KANSAS STATE WILDCATS

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

Tylor Perry tried to keep NCAA Tournament dreams alive for Kansas State and almost did. But a three late by Cincinnati dashed the victory chances. Then the Wildcats turned around with their grossest performance of the season on Tuesday in Allen Fieldhouse. It was so bad Jerome Tang questioned the effort of his team and put the loss squarely on them. Something he hadn’t ever done in his previous 62 games as a head coach. The Wildcats must win against Iowa State or get a Cincinnati loss to West Virginia to avoid having to play on Tuesday at the Big 12 Tournament, another low point in a season full of them.

12. UCF KNIGHTS

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

Johnny Dawkins actually faired better than I expected in his first season in the Big 12. The question will be if it was enough to earn him a second season in the league.

13. OKLAHOMA STATE COWBOYS

Mason: 13 DY: 13 Drew: 14 Fan: 13

After playing more competitively the last few weeks, the Cowboys reverted back to a team that was an easy win for Big 12 foes. They seem likely to be a sacrificial lamb to BYU in Provo on Saturday.

14. WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEERS

Mason: 14 DY: 14 Drew: 13 Fan: 14

Josh Eilert’s dream or nightmare of being an NCAA head coach is nearing its end.