Tuesday Takes: Four Big 12 Storylines Heating Up
The Big 12 continues to deliver drama, surprises, and shakeups as we move deeper into conference play. From resurgent blue bloods to teams teetering on the edge, this week gave us plenty to talk about. Let’s dive into four major takeaways from around the league.
Kansas Is Back-and Looking Dangerous
Just a few weeks ago, Kansas looked like a team in trouble. A 1-2 start in conference play had folks wondering if the Jayhawks had lost their edge. But fast forward to now, and it’s clear: Kansas isn’t just back-they’re rolling.
Winners of four straight, the Jayhawks have strung together convincing victories over Iowa State, Baylor, Colorado, and Kansas State. And these haven’t been nail-biters.
All four wins came by at least 14 points, with three of them decided by 20 or more. That’s the kind of dominance that turns heads in January.
Darryn Peterson has been a major catalyst, showing the kind of talent that earns lottery pick buzz. But perhaps the most telling sign of Kansas’ depth came in their 24-point road win over Kansas State-without Peterson on the floor. That’s not just winning shorthanded; that’s sending a message.
The supporting cast has stepped up in a big way, and once Peterson returns, this team has the tools to make a serious run at the Big 12 crown. Whatever early-season issues plagued them seem to be in the rearview mirror. Kansas looks like Kansas again-and that should make the rest of the conference nervous.
Trouble Brewing in Waco
While Kansas is trending up, Baylor is spiraling. The Bears dropped their second game of the season to TCU on Saturday, falling to 1-6 in Big 12 play. For a program with high expectations, that’s a stunning slide.
Offensively, Baylor just can’t seem to find a rhythm. They’re averaging 71 points per game while giving up 80-a gap that’s tough to overcome, especially when you’re near the bottom of the league in field goal percentage, three-point shooting, and free throws. It’s not just one area; it’s across the board.
Defensively, they haven’t been able to make up for those offensive struggles. Combine that with a turnover margin that ranks second-worst in the conference, and it’s clear why the Bears are in trouble.
The road ahead doesn’t get any easier. Their next two games-against Cincinnati and West Virginia-are now must-win territory.
If Baylor can’t find a way to go 2-0 this week, it’s hard to see a path out of the hole they’ve dug. There’s still time, but the clock is ticking fast in Waco.
UCF Could Be the Big 12’s Swing Team
The Big 12’s top six teams have started to separate themselves from the pack. But the race for that seventh NCAA tournament bid? That’s still wide open-and UCF might be the team to watch.
The Knights have had their ups and downs, including recent losses to Arizona and Iowa State. But they bounced back with a solid road win over Colorado, and that kind of resilience matters when you’re trying to build a tournament résumé.
Among the middle-tier teams-West Virginia, TCU, and UCF-the Knights arguably have the highest ceiling. They’ll host Arizona State on Tuesday in a game they should win, which would push them to 5-3 in conference play.
But the real test comes Saturday when they face a red-hot Texas Tech squad. That matchup could be a turning point-not just for UCF’s season, but for the Big 12’s overall tournament picture.
If UCF can pull off the upset, they’ll start to look like a legitimate tournament team. If not, the door stays open for someone else to step up. Either way, the Knights are a team worth keeping a close eye on.
Arizona Is Chasing History-and Looks Poised to Make It
Arizona just keeps winning. After edging BYU last Tuesday, the Wildcats moved to 21-0 on the season-the second-best start in Big 12 history. Only the 1996-97 Kansas team, which began 22-0, stands in their way.
That Jayhawks squad went 15-1 in conference play and reached the Sweet 16. Arizona looks like they’re on track to top that.
Their next two games? A rivalry showdown at Arizona State, followed by a home matchup against a struggling Oklahoma State team.
If the Wildcats stay locked in, they’ll break Kansas’ record-and they might not stop there.
What’s most impressive is how Arizona continues to find ways to win, even when games get tight. That kind of poise is what separates good teams from great ones. They’re not just chasing history-they’re building a case as one of the most complete teams in college basketball.
Final Thoughts
From Kansas’ resurgence to Arizona’s historic run, the Big 12 is delivering high-stakes basketball week after week. With teams like Baylor fighting for survival and UCF trying to break into the upper tier, the next few weeks will be crucial. Buckle up-conference play is just getting started, and the drama is far from over.