Big 12 men’s basketball power rankings: Here come the Kansas Jayhawks

A young Kansas team has suffered growing pains throughout the season, but as expected, things are coming into fruition at the best moment.

Jan 11, 2014; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas State Wildcats guard/forward

(25) shoots the ball as Kansas Jayhawks forward

(25) defends during the second half at Allen Fieldhouse. Kansas won 86 – 60. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Here’s the latest Big 12 men’s basketball power rankings for the week of January 13th.

1. Iowa State Cyclones (14-1, 2-1)
2. Oklahoma State Cowboys (14-2, 2-1)
3. Kansas Jayhawks (11-4, 2-0)
4. Baylor Bears (13-2, 1-1)
5. Oklahoma Sooners (13-3, 2-1)
6. Kansas State Wildcats (12-4, 2-1)
7. Texas Longhorns (12-4, 1-2)
8. West Virginia Mountaineers (10-6, 2-1)
9. Texas Tech Red Raiders (8-8, 0-3)
10. TCU Horned Frogs (9-6, 0-3)

The Big 12 has become one of the toughest, deepest conferences in the nation. That fuels an already tough non-conference slate for the Jayhawks, and their first part of the conference slate features no days off.

Well, except a road game at TCU, but Kansas won’t be doing that after they took a day off there a season ago.

Iowa State should still remain the undisputed top Big 12 team. Dominating Baylor was very impressive and losing at Oklahoma is something that many Big 12 teams will succumb to. But Kansas having an early win in Norman will look fantastic on their expected bounce back to the top of the Big 12 rankings.

Other notes

• The Cowboys haven’t impressed anyone and arguably Kansas might be better than them at the moment. But they’ve also done nothing to fall off in the rankings. The emergence of Markel Brown and even Brian Williams this season with their efficient shooting from the field showcases this team’s experience. That was a gutsy win at West Virginia, and they’ll be further tested with their next two road games at Kansas and Oklahoma.
• Baylor had no problems in a rout over TCU after losing at Iowa State. There’s absolutely nothing past Kyan Anderson on the Horned Frogs, and their inability to score and rebound in this conference will make them nothing more than a team that will try to spoil someone else’s day. They have a long way to go before competing in the Big 12.
• Texas has to be concerned after barely getting past Texas Tech on Saturday and notching their first Big 12 win. The key issue? Horrendous ball movement. The Longhorns average 12 assists and 13 turnovers on the season, and it’s not surprising to see with how young this team is.