The spotlight at Kansas this season has been shining brightly on freshman sensation Darryn Peterson. Questions about his playtime and load management have been swirling, but while all eyes are on Peterson, it’s easy to miss the steady brilliance of Tre White.
Standing tall at 6-foot-7, White has journeyed through Illinois, Louisville, and USC before finding his groove with the Jayhawks. His performance against Houston was nothing short of stellar, dropping 23 points to lift Kansas to an upset victory. Even Cougars coach Kelvin Sampson couldn’t help but praise White’s impact, highlighting his size and shooting ability as game-changers heading into the NCAA tournament.
With Kansas finding their rhythm, whether Peterson is on the court or not, White’s role becomes pivotal. Averaging 14.0 points and 6.6 rebounds, he’s been a model of consistency, adapting seamlessly to the team’s needs. His contributions are key to Kansas’ pursuit of the Big 12 championship.
Now, let’s dive into this week’s power rankings:
- Arizona
- This week: vs. Kansas (Saturday); vs.
Iowa State (Monday) - What to know: Riding a three-game winning streak, the Wildcats are leading the Big 12.
A win over Kansas could secure them at least a share of the championship.
- Iowa State
- This week: vs. Texas Tech (Saturday); at Arizona (Monday)
- What to know: Milan Momcilovic is breaking records, becoming the Cyclones’ all-time single-season 3-point leader. They’re still in the mix for the title.
- Houston
- This week: vs. Colorado (Saturday); vs.
Baylor (Wednesday) - What to know: The Cougars are facing a rare three-game losing streak.
However, their upcoming schedule offers a chance to bounce back.
- Kansas
- What to know: Peterson’s 30-minute stint against Houston paid off with a big win. If he keeps delivering, Kansas becomes even more formidable.
- Texas Tech
- UCF
- This week: vs. Baylor (Saturday); vs.
Oklahoma State (Tuesday) - What to know: A major road win at BYU has all but secured their NCAA Tournament spot, ensuring they finish no worse than .500 in league play.
- BYU
- Last week: 6 - What to know: The Cougars are inconsistent but boast talent like AJ Dybantsa.
Their recent upset of Iowa State was overshadowed by a loss to UCF.
- TCU
- What to know: TCU remains a bubble team with four Quad 1 wins. A matchup at Texas Tech offers another opportunity to strengthen their case.
- Cincinnati
- This week: vs. Oklahoma State (Saturday); vs.
BYU (Tuesday) - What to know: Despite recent improvements, their 2-10 Quad 1 record isn’t helping their tournament hopes.
- West Virginia
- **Last week:** 9
- **This week:** vs.
BYU (Saturday); at Kansas State (Tuesday) - What to know: A comeback win over Oklahoma State slipped away in overtime, dealing a blow to their resume.
- Colorado
- **This week:** at Houston (Saturday); at Utah (Tuesday)
- **What to know:** Freshman Ian Inman is making waves, recently scoring a career-high 17 points against Kansas State.
- Arizona State
- **This week:** vs. Utah (Saturday); vs.
Kansas (Tuesday) - What to know: Coach Bobby Hurley had a rough moment during a scuffle with TCU, adding to a challenging season.
- Oklahoma State What to know: Losing Parsa Fallah to a torn ACL is a tough break for the Cowboys, likely ending their tournament dreams.
- Baylor
- **This week:** at UCF (Saturday); at Houston (Wednesday)
- **What to know:** With a 1-5 record in their last six, the Bears’ tournament hopes are fading fast.
- Kansas State
- **Last week:** 15
- **This week:** vs.
TCU (Saturday); vs. West Virginia (Tuesday)
- **What to know:** In a tough season, P.J. Haggerty’s scoring surge is a bright spot for the Wildcats.
- Utah
- **Last week:** 16
- **This week:** at Arizona State (Saturday); vs.
Colorado (Tuesday) - What to know: The Utes have a chance to finish strong with key games against Arizona State, Colorado, and Baylor.