The Big 12 has never been short on talent, and this season is no different. Just ask Colorado and TCU - two programs that have felt the full weight of the conference gauntlet this week.
Both teams are coming off losses to top-10 opponents, and when they square off Sunday afternoon in Boulder, one of them will have a chance to stop the bleeding. For Colorado, the urgency is especially high.
The Buffaloes (12-9, 2-6 Big 12) are reeling. Thursday’s 97-67 loss at No.
8 Iowa State wasn’t just a setback - it was a gut punch. Colorado allowed the Cyclones to shoot a blistering 61.4% from the field, and the game was essentially over before it ever got interesting.
Head coach Tad Boyle didn’t sugarcoat things afterward.
"At some point you've got to look yourself in the mirror," Boyle said. "There's good players in this league.
There's good coaches in this league. There's good defenses in this league.
We're just not one of them."
It’s a harsh assessment, but it reflects the frustration of a team now on a six-game losing streak and struggling to find its identity in a loaded Big 12. Still, there are bright spots - and they start with the young core.
Freshman Isaiah Johnson has been a standout, leading the team with 16.6 points per game. He’s shown flashes of being a future star in the conference.
Sebastian Rancik, another key piece, is averaging 13.0 points, while Barrington Hargress chips in 14.0 points and a team-best 4.5 assists per game. The talent is there - the consistency hasn’t been.
TCU (13-8, 3-5) isn’t in crisis mode, but the Horned Frogs aren’t exactly cruising either. They’ve dropped five of their last seven, including a 79-70 loss at home to No.
10 Houston on Wednesday. That game showcased both the potential and the growing pains of a team still trying to find its rhythm.
One player who’s been rising to the occasion is Xavier Edmonds. The junior college transfer has quickly made his presence felt, especially over the last five games, where he’s averaged 17.2 points and 8.8 rebounds. His season averages - 12.0 points and 5.3 boards - don’t fully capture the impact he’s had of late.
And it’s not just the numbers. Edmonds is turning heads with his defensive presence, something head coach Jamie Dixon didn’t necessarily expect this early.
"Defensively he's been better than we anticipated," Dixon said. "He's been coachable, and we knew he had good feet.
He's done some good things, probably better than most guys new to this level. Offensively, he's always had a knack and a feel."
That’s high praise, and it’s well-earned. Edmonds has given TCU a much-needed interior presence, and his development could be a key swing factor for the Horned Frogs down the stretch.
David Punch continues to be the engine for TCU, leading the team in both scoring (14.6) and rebounding (7.4). Jayden Pierre adds 10.8 points per game, but outside of that trio, the offensive production has been inconsistent.
So Sunday’s matchup in Boulder is shaping up as a crossroads game for both squads. Colorado needs to stop the skid and show it can compete in this brutal conference. TCU needs to steady itself before the losses start piling up.
It’s not just about salvaging a week - it’s about setting a tone for the rest of the season.