In the ever-competitive Big 12, Texas Tech's recent triumph over Kansas State wasn't the only headline-grabber this past weekend. The conference saw some intriguing shake-ups, with the Kansas Jayhawks falling 84-68 to the Cincinnati Bearcats, and the Houston Cougars stumbling against the Arizona Wildcats. These outcomes have significantly reshaped the upper tier of the standings as we edge closer to the Big 12 tournament.
The Jayhawks' 16-point loss has inadvertently given Texas Tech a leg up in the standings. With their emphatic win over Kansas State, the Red Raiders have now climbed into a tie for third place, sharing the spot with Kansas and Iowa State.
Here's how the Big 12 landscape currently stands after an action-packed weekend:
- Arizona Wildcats: 25-2 overall, 12-2 Big 12
- Houston Cougars: 23-4 overall, 11-3 Big 12
- Iowa State Cyclones: 23-4 overall, 10-4 Big 12
- Kansas Jayhawks: 20-7 overall, 10-4 Big 12
- Texas Tech Red Raiders: 20-7 overall, 10-4 Big 12
- BYU Cougars: 20-7 overall, 8-6 Big 12
- UCF Knights: 19-7 overall, 8-6 Big 12
- TCU Horned Frogs: 17-10 overall, 7-7 Big 12
- West Virginia Mountaineers: 16-11 overall, 7-7 Big 12
- Cincinnati Bearcats: 15-12 overall, 7-7 Big 12
- Colorado Buffaloes: 15-12 overall, 5-9 Big 12
- Arizona State Sun Devils: 14-13 overall, 4-10 Big 12
- Oklahoma State Cowboys: 16-11 overall, 4-10 Big 12
- Baylor Bears: 14-13 overall, 4-10 Big 12
- Kansas State Wildcats: 11-16 overall, 2-12 Big 12
- Utah Utes: 10-17 overall, 2-12 Big 12
Arizona has firmly established itself at the top, recovering well after a setback against the Red Raiders. Texas Tech, meanwhile, showcased resilience and depth, particularly impressive given the loss of JT Toppin for the season. Their dominant performance against Kansas State highlights their potential to compete fiercely in upcoming clashes, especially against formidable opponents like Iowa State.
If the Red Raiders can maintain this level of play, they might be well-positioned for a strong finish. The coming games will be crucial, and fans will be watching closely to see if Texas Tech can capitalize on this momentum.