Kansas Jayhawks remain team to beat
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Kansas basketball coach Bill Self, players react to win against Yale
Check out what Kansas basketball coach Bill Self and his players had to say after the Jayhawks’ recent win at home against Yale.
Big 12 men’s basketball conference play is nearly here. At the end of the next week, all 14 teams will begin facing each other.
And the top conference in the country can really settle things.
The conference has two national title contenders. Perhaps some sleepers, too. And there is much to be decided, especially starting Jan. 6.
Let’s get to this week’s Big 12 power rankings.
More: Purdue still No. 1, while Florida Atlantic rises in USA TODAY Sports men’s basketball poll
1. Kansas
Last week: 1
This week: vs. Wichita State in Kansas City (Saturday); vs. TCU (Jan. 6)
What to know: How do you pick between Kansas and Houston for the top spot? It’s splitting hairs, really. But the Jayhawks’ comeback win at Indiana just padded a national-title contending resume even more.
More: Kansas spent more than $10M on outside legal fees defending NCAA infractions case
2. Houston
Last week: 2
This week: vs. Penn (Saturday); vs. West Virginia (Jan. 6)
What to know: The Cougars keep winning — they’re 4-0 in Quad 1 games — and are now in national championship talks. They’d take the top spot if not for a slighter weaker schedule than Kansas.
3. Oklahoma
Last week: 4
This week: vs. Central Arkansas (Thursday); vs. Monmouth (Sunday); vs. Iowa State (Jan. 6)
What to know: The Sooners fell short in the “Brady Manek Invitational,” falling to North Carolina, the last school to have Manek’s services at the collegiate level. Still, there’s so much to like about this athletic, entertaining OU team.
More: OU men’s basketball: Breaking down the Sooners’ roster for the 2023-24 season
4. BYU
Last week: 5
This week: vs. Wyoming (Saturday); vs. Cincinnati (Jan. 6)
What to know: The Cougars have a chance to go undefeated at home entering Big 12 play. Provo might be more than just a new beautiful destination in the conference. It could be a nightmare for opponents.
5. Baylor
Last week: 3
This week: vs. Cornell (Jan. 2); at Oklahoma State (Jan. 6)
What to know: If someone could explain the Bears of late, please share. Two clunkers to national powerhouses led to poor Mississippi Valley State getting the wrath of an angry Baylor team.
6. Texas
Last week: 7
This week: vs. UNC-Greensboro (Friday); vs. Texas-Arlington (Jan. 1); vs. Texas Tech (Jan. 6)
What to know: The Longhorns got star Dylan Disu back. It’s no coincidence Texas’ backcourt has taken off as Big 12 play nears.
7. Kansas State
Last week: 6
This week: vs. Chicago State (Jan. 2); vs. UCF (Jan. 6)
What to know: A loss to Nebraska stings. Is it a sign of some issues? Don’t count on it with a balanced team under second-year coach Jerome Tang.
8. Iowa State
Last week: 8
This week: vs. New Hampshire (Sunday); at Oklahoma (Jan. 6)
What to know: The Cyclones continue dominating weak opponents. But that only lasts so long with upstart…
Read More: Kansas Jayhawks remain team to beat 2023-12-26 20:54:32