The 2026 college basketball season has been electric, and at the center of it all is a freshman class that’s rewriting expectations - and maybe even the record books. From coast to coast, these first-year stars aren’t just making noise; they’re taking over.
Names like Cameron Boozer (Duke), Keaton Wagler (Illinois), and Darius Acuff Jr. (Arkansas) have been must-see TV.
But the Big 12? That’s where the spotlight is burning brightest.
This league isn’t just deep - it’s stacked with elite freshmen who are already shaping the national landscape.
BYU’s AJ Dybantsa and Kansas’ Darryn Peterson are projected to be the top two picks in the upcoming NBA Draft. And yes, they’ll square off on Saturday in what’s shaping up to be one of the most anticipated matchups of the season.
Houston’s Kingston Flemings just went off for 42 points and six assists - on the road, no less - in a narrow loss at Texas Tech. Arizona’s Koa Peat dropped 30 in the opener, and Brayden Burries followed with 29 and a game-saving block against BYU to keep Arizona perfect.
These freshmen aren’t just filling stat sheets - they’re driving title hopes. The Big 12 is a warzone this season, and every team with one of these young stars is in the mix. With that, let’s take a closer look at how the Big 12 stacks up right now.
1. Arizona
Last week: 1
This week: at Arizona State (Saturday)
Still undefeated, still finding new ways to win. Arizona edged BYU in a thriller thanks to Brayden Burries’ late-game heroics, but don’t overlook the steady hand of senior guard Jaden Bradley.
He poured in 26 points in that one and continues to be one of the most reliable closers in the country. This team is balanced, battle-tested, and still the team to beat in the Big 12.
2. Houston
**This week: vs. Cincinnati (Sunday); vs.
UCF (Wednesday)**
The Cougars finally took a Big 12 loss - a tight one at Texas Tech - but came right back with a strong performance against TCU, led by the red-hot Kingston Flemings. One loss in this league is nothing to panic about, especially when you’ve got a freshman who can drop 40-plus on any given night.
3. Iowa State
Last week: 3
This week: at Kansas State (Sunday)
Milan Moncilovic keeps lighting it up from deep, scoring 20 or more in half of Iowa State’s games. He’s the engine of this offense, and with the Cyclones’ depth, he doesn’t have to do it all - but when he’s on, they’re tough to stop. This team is quietly building a résumé that could make them a tough out come March.
4. Texas Tech
Last week: 4
**This week: at UCF (Saturday); vs.
Kansas (Monday)**
JT Toppin is reminding everyone why he was last year’s Big 12 Player of the Year - and why he might win it again. In a league loaded with young talent, Toppin’s veteran presence and consistent production stand out. He’s the heartbeat of a Red Raiders team that’s very much in the title conversation.
5. BYU
Last week: 5
This week: at Kansas (Saturday); at Oklahoma State (Wednesday)
The Cougars are 1-3 against ranked opponents, with their lone win coming against Wisconsin. That makes Saturday’s showdown at Kansas even more critical - especially with the Dybantsa vs.
Peterson matchup on deck. This is a team that’s shown flashes, but they need a signature road win to solidify their standing.
6. Kansas
This week: vs. BYU (Saturday); at Texas Tech (Monday)
Darryn Peterson sat out the Kansas State game with an ankle injury, but all signs point to him suiting up against BYU. That’s great news for basketball fans everywhere.
Peterson vs. Dybantsa isn’t just a draft preview - it’s a clash between two of the most dynamic players in the country.
7. UCF
Last week: 7
**This week: vs.
Texas Tech (Saturday); at Houston (Wednesday)**
Don’t count the Knights out. They’ve rattled off two straight wins and have shown a knack for comebacks, notching four victories after trailing by double digits. That kind of resilience could come in handy with a brutal stretch ahead.
8. TCU
Last week: 8
This week: at Colorado (Sunday)
The Horned Frogs are on the bubble, and their recent loss to Houston - where they simply ran out of gas - didn’t help. But a week off gives them a chance to regroup. With Colorado and Kansas State up next, the path to stability is there - they just have to take it.
9. West Virginia
Last week: 10
**This week: vs.
Baylor (Saturday); at Cincinnati (Thursday)**
The Mountaineers haven’t lost at home all season - that’s a strong foundation. But they’ll need more than a win over Kansas to punch a ticket to the NCAA Tournament. This week offers a chance to build some real momentum.
10. Cincinnati
This week: at Houston (Saturday); vs. West Virginia (Thursday)
The Bearcats are a riddle. One week they’re knocking off Iowa State and Baylor, the next they’re dropping head-scratchers.
There’s talent here, but consistency has been elusive. A tough road test at Houston will tell us a lot.
11. Oklahoma State
This week: at Utah (Saturday); vs. BYU (Wednesday)
Defense continues to be a major issue for the Cowboys. Yes, they made a run against Iowa State, but falling behind by 30 in the first half is a tough hole to climb out of - and one that speaks to deeper problems.
12. Baylor
Last week: 9
**This week: at West Virginia (Saturday); vs.
Colorado (Wednesday)**
The Bears are just 1-7 in Big 12 play. That’s not a typo.
For a program with recent national title pedigree, this slide is stunning. At this point, even an NCAA Tournament berth feels like a long shot.
13. Colorado
Last week: 13
**This week: vs.
TCU (Sunday); at Baylor (Wednesday)**
The Buffaloes opened the season red-hot, winning 10 of their first 11. Since then?
Not much to write home about. The offense has cooled, and so has their tournament outlook.
14. Arizona State
What to know:
The Sun Devils can’t seem to get out of their own way. Their latest collapse - blowing a 12-point lead with six minutes left against UCF - is just another chapter in a frustrating season.
15. Kansas State
Last week: 15
**This week: vs.
Iowa State (Sunday)**
Things have unraveled quickly for the Wildcats. After last year’s tournament run, they’ve struggled to find their footing. Head coach Jerome Tang pointing fingers at the NCAA doesn’t help matters - this team needs answers, not excuses.
16. Utah
Last week: 16
**This week: vs.
Oklahoma State (Saturday); vs. Arizona State (Wednesday)**
Terrence Brown has been a bright spot, currently second in the league in scoring. He’s on pace to become just the third Ute since 1996-97 to average 20+ points per game.
The last one? Andrew Bogut.
That’s elite company, even if the team results haven’t matched the individual brilliance.
This Big 12 season has been a rollercoaster, and we’re not even into February yet. With elite freshmen lighting up the scoreboard and veterans holding their ground, the race for the conference crown - and NCAA Tournament positioning - is only getting tighter. Buckle up.