Big 12 basketball power rankings: Red-hot Oklahoma biggest riser in deep conference

A year ago, Oklahoma was mostly an inconsistent mess on the basketball court. What a difference time can make.

The Sooners are arguably the hottest team in the Big 12 less than a month into the season. They’re undefeated and they’re fresh off upsetting star-studded USC.

So, it’s no surprise they’re the biggest risers in this week’s power rankings. There was more movement than usual, too, after several teams stepped up their schedule for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Let’s get to the rankings.

More: OU men's basketball: Breaking down the Sooners' roster for the 2023-24 season

1. Kansas

Last week: 1

This week: vs. Eastern Illinois (Tuesday); vs. UConn (Friday)

What to know: Kansas coach Bill Self was not interested in Marquette coach Shaka Smart’s beef with the Jayhawks. Self has more to be concerned with, like finding more playmaking on the perimeter.

2. Houston

Last week: 2

This week: at Xavier (Friday)

What to know: The Cougars’ transition to the Big 12 has yet to be tested. But the series with Big East foes should reveal more about Kelvin Sampson’s squad with a road trip to Xavier.

3. Baylor

Last week: 4

This week: vs. Nicholls (Tuesday); vs. Northwestern State (Saturday)

What to know: The Bears aren’t just talented freshmen. Old guys like Jalen Bridges, RayJ Dennis and Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchuoa helped Baylor win the NIT Season Tip-Off and deserve just as much respect.

4. Texas

Last week: 3

This week: vs. Texas State (Thursday)

What to know: The Longhorns might have the best backcourt duo in the Big 12 with Max Abmas and Tyrese Hunter. But success could depend more on forward Kadin Shedrick.

More: Otega Oweh scores on tip-in with 1.4 seconds left to lift OU basketball past USC

5. Oklahoma

Last week: 10

This week: vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff (Thursday)

What to know: The Sooners are red hot. A win over USC to win the Rady Children’s Invitational was huge. But the Trojans’ DJ Rodman — the son of former NBA great Dennis Rodman — not boxing out for a rebound on the game-winning tip-in by Otega Oweh might be the greatest gift of the season.

6. BYU

Last week: 7

This week: vs. Fresno State (Friday)

What to know: The Cougars keep winning and show no signs of slowing down. And they have a little fight in them. Just watch the skirmish with Arizona State last week.

7. Kansas State

Last week: 5

This week: vs. Oral Roberts (Tuesday); vs. North Alabama (Saturday)

What to know: Ranked opponents are giving the Wildcats fits. Fortunately, they get NCAA Tournament darling Oral Roberts at home this week considering the Golden Eagles are winless as visitors.

8. TCU

Last week: 6

This week: vs. Houston Christian (Monday); at Georgetown (Saturday)

What to know: The Horned Frogs’ run of playing only mid-majors finally ends this week. Perhaps that will tell us a little more about them.

9. Iowa State

Last week: 8

This week: at DePaul (Friday)

What to know: With six true freshmen on the rebuilt roster, there will be growing pains for the Cyclones. Case in point: Blowing a 21-point lead to Texas A&M.

10. Texas Tech

Last week: 9

This week: at Butler (Thursday)

What to know: The Red Raiders took fifth in the Battle 4 Atlantis, but finished strong with a buzzer-beating win over Northern Iowa and a 16-point win over Michigan. Going 2-1 in the tournament brings hope compared to this team a year ago.

11. Cincinnati

Last week: 11

This week: at Howard (Tuesday); vs. Florida Gulf Coast (Sunday)

What to know: The Bearcats are comfortable at home. They’re 5-0 and have yet to play a road game. That changes this week.

12. UCF

Last week: 12

This week: at Lipscomb (Saturday)

What to know: Ball State transfer Jaylin Sanders continues to light up the scoreboard. But that wasn’t enough to keep the Knights from losing to in-state rival Stetson for the first time in two decades.

OSU vs. Houston Christian: Three takeaways from Cowboys' win

13. Oklahoma State

Last week: 14

This week: vs. Creighton (Thursday)

What to know: The young Cowboys are trending in the right direction for the first time all season. They have shown promise with two wins the past week, scoring 92 or more points in each game without veteran scorer Bryce Thompson. Still, Mike Boynton’s team has a long way to go.

14. West Virginia

Last week: 13

This week: vs. St. John’s (Friday)

What to know: Why OSU over West Virginia when both have terrible losses? The Mountaineers’ defeats are worse. First, it was Montmouth. On Sunday, it was Bellarmine.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Big 12 basketball power rankings: Oklahoma, BYU biggest risers