JT Toppin was on the verge of making Big 12 history with his stellar performance for Texas Tech, eyeing a second consecutive Player of the Year award. Averaging over 20 points and 10 rebounds per game, he was set to join the ranks of legends like Blake Griffin.
But fate had other plans. Toppin's season came to a sudden halt with an ACL tear during the game against Arizona State, leaving a significant void in the Red Raiders' lineup and possibly ending his collegiate career as the NBA looms on the horizon.
This unexpected turn of events opens up the Player of the Year race. BYU’s standout freshman, AJ Dybantsa, is now the top contender, leading the league with an impressive 24.5 points per game and breaking Danny Ainge’s freshman scoring record.
Meanwhile, Arizona’s Jaden Bradley has been a key player for the Wildcats, who have maintained their top national ranking for much of the season. His 19.7 points per game against ranked teams make him a formidable candidate.
Houston's Kingston Flemings is making waves as well, with 16.6 points and 5.3 assists per game, solidifying his status as a high-lottery pick. Iowa State's Joshua Jefferson is having a breakout season, contributing 16.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 5.2 assists for a team with Final Four aspirations.
Now, let’s dive into this week's Big 12 power rankings:
- Arizona Holding steady at the top, Arizona continues to impress, especially after rebounding from two tough losses with a significant win over BYU, despite missing star freshman Koa Peat.
- Houston The Cougars are on a roll with impressive win streaks, sharing the top spot with Arizona and maintaining a slight edge over Iowa State and Kansas.
- Iowa State The Cyclones are thriving with their signature defense, minimizing turnovers, and finding unexpected heroes like Nate Heise.
- Kansas The Jayhawks are eyeing the Big 12 title but need to keep Darryn Peterson on the floor for full games to realize their potential.
- Texas Tech The loss of Toppin shifts the spotlight to Christian Anderson, who needs to step up despite a rocky performance against Arizona State.
- BYU Facing their own injury woes with Richie Saunders out, BYU must adapt to maintain their competitive edge.
- UCF The Knights snapped a losing streak with a crucial win over TCU, keeping their March Madness hopes alive.
- TCU TCU remains on the tournament bubble, with their five Quad 1 wins offering a glimmer of hope.
- West Virginia A disappointing loss to Utah has further dimmed the Mountaineers' tournament chances.
- Cincinnati A recent win over Utah suggests a potential turnaround for the Bearcats, who have struggled in close games.
- Arizona State Climbing up from last week, Arizona State faces a challenging stretch ahead.
- Oklahoma State The Cowboys are in a slump with four consecutive losses but have a chance to rebound with upcoming winnable games.
- Colorado The Buffaloes need to improve their three-point shooting to capitalize on their home games against Oklahoma State and Kansas State.
- Baylor The Bears are on a four-game losing streak and risk missing the NCAA Tournament for the first time in years.
- Kansas State With Jerome Tang out, Kansas State faces a tumultuous period, both on and off the court.
- Utah Snapping a long road losing streak, Utah’s recent victory over West Virginia could be a turning point.
The Big 12 landscape is shifting rapidly, and with key players sidelined, the race is wide open. Fans, buckle up; it's going to be a thrilling ride to the finish line.