Big 12 Women's Basketball Power Rankings: Oklahoma, Texas chase title in closing weeks
Buckle up, basketball fans. With three games left in the regular season, the Big 12 seemingly has a three-team race for its championship. Will either Oklahoma or Texas claim the crown before heading to the Southeastern Conference? Or will the championship remain with a team that will be around to defend it next year?
Here are the newest power rankings:
1. Oklahoma (19-7, 13-2)
What to know: Will Oklahoma win a second straight conference title? That remains to be seen. But the Sooners do know that they'll get the first two days at the Big 12 tournament off since they have secured a top-four seed.
2. Texas (25-3, 12-3)
What to know: Texas coach Vic Schaefer was displeased with how his team played against Texas Tech on Wednesday. But if UT beats UCF this weekend, it will roll into next week's Oklahoma game with an eight-game winning streak.
3. Kansas State (23-4, 12-3)
What to know: You can't say that Kansas State games aren't entertaining. Of the Wildcats' last eight, seven have either been decided by three points or less or extended into overtime. The outlier in that sample size was a seven-point game.
4. West Virginia (22-4, 11-4)
What to know: West Virginia is still alive in its hunt for a conference title, but Wednesday's overtime loss at Kansas State certainly hurts its chances. But a win last weekend against Oklahoma will pad WVU's NCAA Tournament résumé.
5. Iowa State (15-10, 9-6)
What to know: Iowa State won't win a conference title. But since Texas and Oklahoma are leaving and five Iowa State freshmen are averaging at least 15 minutes a game, should the Cyclones be next winter's clear-cut frontrunners?
6. Baylor (20-6, 9-6)
What to know: Baylor is still ranked by the Associated Press and the Bears reached the 20-win mark for the 24th straight season. Most importantly, Baylor crushed Texas Tech last weekend on the same day that Brittney Griner's jersey was retired.
7. Kansas (15-11, 8-7)
What to know: Winners of the 2023 WNIT title, Kansas will get to defend that championship unless it picks up some big wins over the next few weeks. Kansas is listed as one of the first teams left out of the NCAA Tournament by ESPN's bracketology projections.
8. Oklahoma State (13-13, 6-9)
What to know: As it turns its attention to a possible run at the Big 12 tournament, Oklahoma State can play the role of spoiler this weekend when it travels to rival Oklahoma. The Cowgirls are 0-5 against OU coach Jennie Baranczyk.
9. TCU (17-9, 4-11)
What to know: Madison Conner (knee) has been back for two games and TCU is on a two-game winning streak. Having a veteran guard who can knock down seven 3-pointers — as Conner did at Cincinnati last week — certainly helps a team's overall outlook.
10. BYU (15-13, 5-10)
What to know: BYU's Big 12 debut has been rough, but Lauren Gustin has made a good first impression. The senior forward has won two straight Big 12 player of the week awards, and she leads the conference (and nation) in rebounding.
11. Texas Tech (16-12, 5-10)
What to know: A shorthanded Texas Tech team gave Texas a run for its money on Wednesday, but the Lady Raiders have struggled to remain competitive recently. During its six-game losing streak, Tech has led in the second half for a total of 30 seconds.
12. Houston (13-13, 4-11)
What to know: The bottom four teams in the Big 12 standings must play on the first day at the conference tournament. Since Houston closes out the regular season against TCU, BYU and UCF, the Cougars will have a say about the date of their first game in Kansas City.
13. Cincinnati (12-14, 4-11)
What to know: Stuck in a four-game skid, it may be tough for Cincinnati to get back on track. The Bearcats close out with road games in two of their last three games. Cincinnati is 4-8 in away and neutral-site contests.
14. Central Florida (12-13, 3-12)
What to know: UCF has beaten Iowa State and Auburn teams that are fighting for NCAA Tournament berths and lost two- and three-point road games against ranked Kansas State and Baylor programs. Will the Knights surprise No. 5 Texas this weekend?
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Big 12 Women's Basketball Power Rankings: Oklahoma, Texas chase crown
