Big 12 Basketball Roundup: UCF Rises, Kansas Steadies, BYU Stumbles, and Burries Shines
With Big 12 hoops now stretching into Sundays, the rhythm of the season is shifting-but the action remains as unpredictable and intense as ever. As we head into another pivotal week, it's a good time to take stock of where things stand across the league.
Some teams are surging, others are stumbling, and a few are still trying to find their identity. Let’s break it all down, from the biggest wins to the standout performances-and yes, we’ve got our Actually Accomplished Rankings at the end.
Let’s dive in.
Team of the Week: UCF
What a week for the Knights. First, they survived a tight one against Arizona State earlier in the week.
Then came the real statement: a home upset over No. 11 Texas Tech.
That’s not just a good win-it’s a resume-changer.
Coming into the week, UCF was hanging around the bubble in most tournament projections. But now?
They're firmly in the field with a Tier One win to show for it. It’s the kind of week that can turn a season, especially in a league as deep and chaotic as the Big 12.
Runner-Up: Kansas
Kansas did what Kansas does-win big games. A rivalry win over Kansas State gave them momentum, and they followed it up by knocking off No. 13 BYU in a nationally spotlighted matchup.
So why not the best week? Well, the Jayhawks are still wrestling with some inconsistency, and a lot of that centers around Darryn Peterson.
He was electric in the first half against BYU, helping KU build a commanding lead. But then he sat out the second half with cramps.
Peterson’s talent is undeniable, but his availability has been a question mark all season. If Kansas wants to make a deep run in March, they’ll need him locked in and on the floor.
Toughest Week: BYU
BYU ran into a buzzsaw this week, facing two top-15 teams in a brutal stretch. They lost both-first to Arizona, then to Kansas. Losing to great teams isn’t necessarily damning, but the way it happened raises some concerns.
In both games, BYU fell behind early and had to scramble just to make things look competitive. That kind of pattern doesn’t bode well for a team with top-tier aspirations. The Cougars can hang with anyone when they’re clicking, but they’ve got to find a way to start stronger-especially against elite competition.
MVP of the Week: Brayden Burries, Arizona
Plenty of players had big numbers this week, but no one impacted winning quite like Arizona’s Brayden Burries. He went into Provo and led his team past BYU with a monster performance: 29 points, five boards, four assists, three steals, and two blocks. That’s stuffing the stat sheet in every column-and doing it in a hostile environment.
Then he followed it up with a workmanlike 17-7-4-2 in a road win over in-state rival Arizona State. Burries didn’t just put up numbers-he led. And that’s what separates great stats from great players.
Special mention to BYU’s Richie Saunders, who had 33 and 10 against Kansas, then 18 and 9 versus Arizona. The effort was there, but it's hard to give MVP honors to someone whose team went 0-2.
Game to Watch: UCF at Houston (Thursday, 7 p.m.)
Circle this one. UCF just had its best week of the season, but now they’re walking into one of the toughest buildings in the country. Houston hasn’t lost at home and is winning by an average of 27 points over their last three there.
This isn’t a must-win for UCF, but it is a measuring stick. Can they hang with a team that’s been dominant at home?
Can they impose their style, or at least keep it close? We’re about to find out just how real this Knights team is.
Actually Accomplished Rankings
Forget preseason hype. Forget brand names.
These rankings are all about what teams have actually done on the court this season. No projections, no assumptions-just results.
Here’s where things stand based on resume alone:
- Arizona - They’ve got the wins, the road chops, and the consistency.
No one’s done more. 2.
Texas Tech - A strong body of work, even with the stumble at UCF. 3.
Houston - Undefeated at home and rolling. They’re a problem.
- Iowa State - Quietly building a strong case with quality wins.
- BYU - Still solid, but this week took some shine off.
- Kansas - Trending upward, but still ironing out the wrinkles.
- UCF - Big jump after a statement week.
- TCU - In the mix, but needs a signature win.
- West Virginia - Scrappy and competitive, but still figuring things out.
- Oklahoma State - Flashes of potential, but not quite there yet.
- Colorado - Inconsistent, but capable of pulling off surprises.
- Baylor - A bit lower than expected, but there’s time to climb.
- Arizona State - Still searching for consistency.
- Cincinnati - Needs a spark to get back in the conversation.
- Kansas State - Tough stretch, and the resume reflects it.
- Utah - Still waiting for a breakout moment.
The Big 12 is a gauntlet, and with every week, the picture gets clearer-but also more chaotic. UCF made a leap, Kansas reminded us why they’re always in the mix, and BYU got a dose of reality. There’s still a lot of basketball left to be played, and if this past week is any indication, we’re in for more surprises ahead.