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Boy, oh, boy do we have ourselves some drama in the Big 12.
The league is, totally and utterly, up for grabs as we begin the second half.
Power rankings!
Front-Running Four
1. Oklahoma State (16-5, 6-3)
The Cowboys have won four in a row, with the last three coming in dramatic fashion against the league’s best teams.
I’ve been high on the ‘Pokes since the preseason, but they’re just now rounding into form.
This is a very talented team that’s building momentum.
It is now also a team that’s proven itself, both at home and on the road.
2. Iowa State (16-6, 6-3)
The Cyclones did what they were supposed to do in the last week: Protect their home court.
I hesitate to put them this high, but the Cyclones simply dismantled Oklahoma on Monday after looking clearly superior to Baylor on Saturday.
Iowa State is a team capable of going on a big-time run should they be able to get past Kansas State tomorrow.
ISU needs to prove not only that it can win away from Hilton Coliseum, but that its also capable of playing high-level basketball over an extended period of time.
3. Kansas (19-3, 7-2)
I think the Jayhawks are still probably the best team in the Big 12, but, man, oh, man are they reeling right now.
Not only have they lost two straight, the second of which I still am waiting to wake up and learn I was in the Matrix, but Bill Self is eviscerating his team in the press.
I’m sure it’s a long-term motivational strategy by Self, perhaps the best coach in the country, but the Jayhawks certainly didn’t respond to it against TCU.
4. Kansas State (18-4, 7-2)
The Wildcats are riding a three-game win streak, but two of those wins came against Texas and Texas Tech. The third, at Oklahoma, isn’t looking so great after the Cyclones thumped the Sooners.
Saturday’s showdown with ISU is a monumental game for both teams as they begin the Big 12’s final lap.
A step behind
5. Oklahoma (14-7, 5-4)
The Sooners have loss back-to-back games and welcome Kansas to Norman tomorrow.
They’re teetering a bit after a strong, but suspicious start to the season.
6. Baylor (14-8, 5-4)
It’s been three-straight losses for the Bears against the teams they needed to beat to announce themselves as real contenders in the league.
Spoiler Central
7. West Virginia (11-11, 4-5)
The Mountaineers are enjoying their first winning streak (two games) since they won three straight late in December.
They’ll have a chance to upset the apple cart a couple times this season yet with Oklahoma State, Baylor and Iowa State still scheduled to visit Morgantown.
8. Texas (10-12, 2-7)
The Longhorns have just one more game before welcoming Myck Kabongo back into the fold. Will it make a difference?
UT gets the nod here over the Horned Frogs because of its 17-point win over TCU right before TCU went and shocked the country.
9. TCU (10-12, 1-8)
OUT OF THE CELLAR!!!!!!!
10. Texas Tech (9-11, 2-7)
The Red Raiders haven’t won since beating Iowa State in Lubbock.
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