The Big 12’s latest preseason basketball snapshot looks familiar in the best possible way: crowded, unforgiving, and loaded with teams that think they can win it all. Arizona has the No. 1 spot in the 2026-27 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Preseason Coaches’ Poll, but the Wildcats only barely separated themselves from Houston.
Arizona finished with 220 points and 12 first-place votes, while Houston came in right behind at 214 points and four first-place votes. After that, the race tightens even more.
Kansas claimed third with 186 points, Iowa State was fourth at 181, and Texas Tech sat fifth with 180. The margin between the Cyclones and Red Raiders was just six points, which says plenty about how little room there is between the league’s best teams.
The middle of the poll shows the same kind of squeeze. BYU landed sixth with 148 points, followed by TCU at 137.
Cincinnati and West Virginia tied for eighth with 116 points apiece. Baylor checked in at No. 10 with 102 points, a notable drop for a program that had been one of the league’s standard-bearers under Scott Drew.
Oklahoma State followed at No. 11 with 98 points and could be one of the league’s more interesting dark-horse teams.
Arizona State, UCF, Colorado, Kansas State and Utah completed the field.
The top of the poll reflects the reality Big 12 teams already know: there’s no easy week in this league. Five teams finished within 40 points of Arizona, and the whole thing feels set up for another title race that could shift fast. That kind of balance has become part of the conference’s identity, and it’s why preseason predictions in the Big 12 rarely survive until March.
Arizona’s rise to the top makes sense after what happened in 2025-26. In just its second season as a conference member, the Wildcats won both the Big 12 regular-season championship and the Big 12 Tournament title.
They did it in a league that included Houston, Kansas, Iowa State and Texas Tech, which only adds to the weight of that accomplishment. That run likely pushed Arizona into the favorite’s seat this time around, even if Houston’s close finish tells you coaches expect another dogfight.
Big 12 Men’s Basketball Preseason Coaches’ Poll
- Arizona (12) - 220 points
- Houston (4) - 214 points
- Kansas - 186 points
- Iowa State - 181 points
- Texas Tech - 180 points
- BYU - 148 points
- TCU - 137 points
T8. Cincinnati - 116 points
T8. West Virginia - 116 points
- Baylor - 102 points
- Oklahoma State - 98 points
- Arizona State - 75 points
- UCF - 55 points
T14. Colorado - 34 points
T14. Kansas State - 34 points
- Utah - 24 points
In Other News...
Iowa State Is Getting Big 12 Respect With One Bigger Question
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Iowa State Faces One Huge Question In Bill Fennellys Farewell Season
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Arianna Jackson stands out among the returnees and is expected to play a key role, while the rest of the roster adds a global flavor that gives Iowa State some intriguing possibilities. Fennelly has said he plans to use all 13 players this season, which should keep the rotation open and the competition for minutes lively as the Cyclones try to settle into a workable identity before the games start to matter most. [Read more 🡒]
Jamarion Batemon Suddenly Has A Real Chance To Break Out At Iowa State
Jamarion Batemon already gave Iowa State reason to believe last season, when the freshman carved out a useful role with his defense and a steady 6.6 points per game. Now the path in front of him looks wider. With Killyan Toure sidelined for an extended stretch, Batemon is positioned to see more minutes and a bigger responsibility in the Cyclones backcourt as the season approaches.
For a program that leans on toughness and depth, that kind of opportunity can change a players trajectory fast. Batemon does not need to become a different player to matter more, but the chance is there for him to turn a promising first year into something more substantial if the added playing time turns into production. [Read more 🡒]