Big 12 basketball power rankings: Baylor bolts toward the top

How far does Iowa State fall in the Big 12 basketball power rankings after losing to the worst team in the conference? Also, Baylor proves us wrong by winning two straight and shoots up, and there’s a new basement dweller.

1. Kansas Jayhawks (16-3, 5-1)

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In a span of four hours, Kansas impressed by defeating Texas on the road while Iowa State flopped in Lubbock. The Jayhawks are the favorites once again.

2. Iowa State Cyclones (14-4, 4-2)

They don’t deserve a complete smacking down the rankings, but they can’t let the terrible loss snowball into Monday night. The loser of the game between the Cyclones and Longhorns could be out of the regular season conference title race.

3. Baylor Bears (15-4, 3-3)

What an impressive run by the Bears since an ugly start to conference play. The offense is getting better to compliment their great defense.

4. Texas Longhorns (14-5, 3-3)

The final score looks worse than the game was against Kansas. They played with them, but they’ll need a little more work to live up to their big preseason expectations.

5. West Virginia Mountaineers (16-3, 4-2)

The blowout loss to Texas along with a game they really should have lost to TCU puts them in the middle of the pack. It’s fitting because I really don’t have a feel one way or the other on this team.

Jan 24, 2015; Manhattan, KS, USA; Kansas State Wildcats guard Justin Edwards (14) makes a pass around Oklahoma State Cowboys forward Michael Cobbins (20) during the Wildcats

6. Kansas State Wildcats (12-8, 5-2)

Outside of the slip-up in Ames, this Kansas State team has played like one of the best teams in the conference. They could be on a six-game winning streak had they held on against Iowa State. A big week is ahead with West Virginia and Kansas.

7. Oklahoma Sooners (12-7, 3-4)

Again, they don’t have bad losses and there’s plenty of teams that would lose at Kansas and Baylor. They have a much more manageable schedule finally, but they’ll have to make things up by going on a winning streak.

8. Oklahoma State Cowboys (13-6, 3-4)

Nothing much to add here. They do a good job defending their home court, but they’ll struggle on the road all season.

9. Texas Tech Red Raiders (11-9, 1-6)

Defeating Iowa State bumps them up for now because it’s a win over a great Big 12 team. This is their chance to build on it and be relevant.

10. TCU Horned Frogs (14-5, 1-5)

That was a brutal loss against West Virginia. A game like that could have turned this season around. Instead, it could send them on a spiral.

Next: Big 12 college basketball schedule for January 26-February 1

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