In the latest tier rankings for Power Conference basketball teams, the Big 12 has made its presence felt, courtesy of Isaac Trotter from 247Sports. This classification offers valuable insight into where each of the league’s 16 teams stands as we approach the upcoming season. Teams have been categorized into five distinct tiers: title contenders, Top-25 caliber, tournament teams, bubblicious, and the basement.
TIER 1 – TITLE CONTENDERS
At the pinnacle of the Big 12, Trotter earmarks three teams as title contenders: Houston, Texas Tech, and BYU. Houston, especially, with Milos Uzan returning, seems poised to seize the favorite’s mantle heading into the 2025-26 campaign. The Cougars are a force to be reckoned with, boasting a blend of experience and skill that could propel them to the top. Meanwhile, Texas Tech and BYU have both enhanced their credentials by adding key talent, complementing their already strong lineups. It’s a competitive trio that has all the ingredients to make a deep run come tournament time.
TIER 2 – TOP-25 CALIBER CLUB
Falling just behind are the Arizona Wildcats, Kansas Jayhawks, and Iowa State Cyclones, all of whom are expected to make the Preseason Top 25 cut. Arizona and Iowa State appear to be locks for this tier, but the Jayhawks are facing a bit of scrutiny. Critiques have emerged, notably from analysts Jeff Goodman and Rob Dauster, who have tagged Kansas as one of the offseason’s biggest losers. This scrutiny adds an intriguing layer of pressure as they prepare for the season.
TIER 3 – TOURNAMENT TEAM
In the next tier, we find Scott Drew’s Baylor Bears, who have earned recognition as a tournament team. While Drew faces the challenge of replacing star point guard Rob Wright, who transferred to BYU, he’s not without resources. Enter Obi Agbim, a standout from Wyoming, who could very well step up to fill that void. The ability to navigate player transfers successfully is a pivotal aspect of modern college basketball, and Drew’s acumen will be tested this season.
TIER 4 – BUBBLICIOUS
The bubblicious tier features Kansas State, Cincinnati, and West Virginia, teams who are eyeing a spot in the NCAA Tournament but know they need to make some noise. For Kansas State and Cincinnati, the strategy is clear: reload with talent to push back into the tournament picture. Kansas State is benefiting from a remarkable recruiting class combined with transfers like AAC Player of the Year PJ Haggerty and MAC Player of the Year Nate Johnson. Cincinnati is not far behind, meshing a formidable frontcourt including former FAU transfer Baba Miller and UCF transfer Moustapha Thiam with solid returning players and a promising five-star freshman addition.
Meanwhile, West Virginia is under the new leadership of Ross Hodge, who has smartly tapped into talent from UNT, bolstering the roster with players like scoring threat Treyson Eaglestaff from North Dakota. Although they’ve faced challenges, including the loss of Darian DeVries to Indiana, the Mountaineers are in a favorable position with a capable coach at the helm.
TIER 5 – THE BASEMENT
Lastly, the basement tier – not a place teams want to find themselves – includes Oklahoma State, TCU, UCF, Utah, Colorado, and Arizona State. Unfortunately, these teams are currently viewed as lacking the necessary talent to compete effectively in the league. While being in this tier can feel discouraging, it’s important to remember that in a conference as dynamic as the Big 12, opportunities for turnaround abound.
As the season approaches, the stage is set for these teams to either justify their tier placements or shake things up entirely. The Big 12 is as competitive as ever, and the excitement is palpable as fans gear up for the action ahead. Will the title contenders maintain their status, or will we see new challengers emerge? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure – the road ahead is sure to be thrilling.
