Big 12 men's basketball power rankings: Kansas remains No. 1 as conference play looms

Big 12 men’s basketball conference play is nearly here. At the end of the next week, all 14 teams will begin facing each other.

And the top conference in the country can really settle things.

The conference has two national title contenders. Perhaps some sleepers, too. And there is much to be decided, especially starting Jan. 6.

Let’s get to this week’s Big 12 power rankings.

More: Purdue still No. 1, while Florida Atlantic rises in USA TODAY Sports men's basketball poll

1. Kansas

Last week: 1

This week: vs. Wichita State in Kansas City (Saturday); vs. TCU (Jan. 6)

What to know: How do you pick between Kansas and Houston for the top spot? It’s splitting hairs, really. But the Jayhawks’ comeback win at Indiana just padded a national-title contending resume even more.

More: Kansas spent more than $10M on outside legal fees defending NCAA infractions case

2. Houston

Last week: 2

This week: vs. Penn (Saturday); vs. West Virginia (Jan. 6)

What to know: The Cougars keep winning — they’re 4-0 in Quad 1 games — and are now in national championship talks. They’d take the top spot if not for a slighter weaker schedule than Kansas.

3. Oklahoma

Last week: 4

This week: vs. Central Arkansas (Thursday); vs. Monmouth (Sunday); vs. Iowa State (Jan. 6)

What to know: The Sooners fell short in the “Brady Manek Invitational,” falling to North Carolina, the last school to have Manek’s services at the collegiate level. Still, there’s so much to like about this athletic, entertaining OU team.

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

4. BYU

Last week: 5

This week: vs. Wyoming (Saturday); vs. Cincinnati (Jan. 6)

What to know: The Cougars have a chance to go undefeated at home entering Big 12 play. Provo might be more than just a new beautiful destination in the conference. It could be a nightmare for opponents.

5. Baylor

Last week: 3

This week: vs. Cornell (Jan. 2); at Oklahoma State (Jan. 6)

What to know: If someone could explain the Bears of late, please share. Two clunkers to national powerhouses led to poor Mississippi Valley State getting the wrath of an angry Baylor team.

6. Texas

Last week: 7

This week: vs. UNC-Greensboro (Friday); vs. Texas-Arlington (Jan. 1); vs. Texas Tech (Jan. 6)

What to know: The Longhorns got star Dylan Disu back. It’s no coincidence Texas’ backcourt has taken off as Big 12 play nears.

7. Kansas State

Last week: 6

This week: vs. Chicago State (Jan. 2); vs. UCF (Jan. 6)

What to know: A loss to Nebraska stings. Is it a sign of some issues? Don’t count on it with a balanced team under second-year coach Jerome Tang.

8. Iowa State

Last week: 8

This week: vs. New Hampshire (Sunday); at Oklahoma (Jan. 6)

What to know: The Cyclones continue dominating weak opponents. But that only lasts so long with upstart OU awaiting to open Big 12 play.

9. TCU

Last week: 9

This week: vs. Texas A&M-Commerce (Jan. 1); at Kansas (Jan. 6)

What to know: The Horned Frogs continue to thrive against a weak schedule. But losses to Clemson and Nevada could loom come March.

10. Texas Tech

Last week: 10

This week: vs. Sam Houston (Thursday); vs. North Alabama (Jan. 1); at Texas (Jan. 6)

What to know: The Red Raiders are undefeated at United Supermarkets Arena, one of the best environments in the country. Yet, attendance is down. Keep winning and surely that changes.

11. Cincinnati

Last week: 11

This week: vs. Evansville (Friday); at BYU (Jan. 6)

What to know: The Bearcats are building a NCAA Tournament resume, but they still lack a strong win to really boost it. Losing to rival Dayton doesn’t help at all.

12. UCF

Last week: 12

This week: vs. Bethune-Cookman (Friday); at Kansas State (Jan. 6)

What to know: Jaylin Sellers, who is second in the Big 12 with 18.5 points per game, and Darius Johnson are forming quite a 1-2 punch. But is that enough in Big 12 play?

13. Oklahoma State

Last week: 13

This week: vs. South Carolina State (Sunday); vs. Chicago State (Jan. 3); vs. Baylor (Jan. 6)

What to know: Oklahoma State’s youth rebuild is showing a glimmer of promise. Eric Dailey Jr., a true freshman, has double doubles in two of the past four games.

More: Oklahoma State basketball: Breaking down the Cowboys' roster for the 2023-24 season

14. West Virginia

Last week: 14

This week: vs. Ohio State at Cleveland (Saturday); at Houston (Jan. 6)

What to know: The basketball team would prefer the attention be diverted to the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, where a mayo bath sounds better than the start to the season on the hardwood.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Big 12 basketball power rankings: Kansas Jayhawks remain team to beat