Big 12 Basketball Power Check-In: TCU Surges, Texas Tech Stuns, and UCF Stumbles
With the Big 12’s revamped scheduling dropping games on Sundays now, our usual weekend roundups are shifting to Mondays. But hey, the action hasn’t slowed down-and neither have the storylines. As we hit the heart of conference play, let’s take a lap around the league: who’s rising, who’s reeling, and who’s got the juice heading into a stacked slate of matchups.
Best Week: TCU Makes Its Move
TCU is right in the thick of the bubble conversation, but if this past week is any indication, they’re not planning to leave their fate in the committee’s hands. The Horned Frogs picked up two massive wins-first knocking off Iowa State, then following it up by taking down Oklahoma State. That’s two Quad 1 wins in the span of a few days, including what ESPN classifies as a Quad 1A win over the Cyclones.
For a team fighting for every inch of tournament ground, this was the kind of week that can swing a résumé. It’s not just about stacking wins-it’s about when and who you beat. TCU did both.
Second Best Week: Texas Tech Rebounds in a Big Way
After dropping back-to-back games, Texas Tech looked like a team teetering. But the Red Raiders responded with authority.
First, they handled business against Colorado with a blowout win. Then came the statement: an overtime road win over No.
1 Arizona.
That’s the kind of bounce-back week that turns heads nationally. Texas Tech didn’t just stop the bleeding-they reminded everyone why they were in the top tier of the conference conversation to begin with.
Toughest Week: UCF’s Bubble Bursts (For Now)
You could make the case for Arizona here-they did lose their first two games of the season. But both were against high-level opponents, and the Wildcats are still comfortably in line for a top seed in March.
UCF, on the other hand, had a week they’ll want to forget-but likely won’t be able to. A blowout loss to Cincinnati was followed by a gut-wrenching home loss to West Virginia.
That second one stings. Not just because it was a missed opportunity, but because come Selection Sunday, UCF’s résumé is going to be compared directly to WVU’s.
And this head-to-head loss? It’s going to matter.
MVP of the Week: JT Toppin, Texas Tech
Yes, he’s been here before. But when you put up the kind of numbers JT Toppin just did, you earn the repeat nod.
Against Colorado, he played the role of glue guy-16 points, 18 rebounds, and five combined blocks and steals. Then, in the marquee matchup at Arizona, he flipped the switch: 31 points, 13 boards, three assists, and three more stocks.
That’s dominance on both ends, in two very different roles. Toppin didn’t just show up-he took over.
Game to Watch: No. 1 Arizona at No. 3 Houston - Saturday, 3PM ET
Circle it. Highlight it.
Set the DVR if you have to. This is the kind of matchup that defines a regular season.
Arizona heads to Houston in what could be a de facto Big 12 regular season title game. Two top-five teams, national TV, and a whole lot on the line.
Even if the rankings shift a bit before tip-off, the stakes won’t. This is elite-level basketball, and it’s coming to your screen in primetime.
Actually Accomplished Rankings
Forget preseason hype. Forget name recognition. These rankings are based solely on what teams have actually done on the court this season-no projections, no reputation, just results.
Here’s how the Big 12 stacks up right now:
- Houston (3)
- Arizona (1)
- Iowa State (2)
- Kansas (4)
- Texas Tech (5)
- BYU (6)
- West Virginia (9)
- TCU (11)
- UCF (7)
- Baylor (8)
- Cincinnati (13)
- Oklahoma State (10)
- Arizona State (14)
- Colorado (12)
- Kansas State (15)
- Utah (16)
Note: Numbers in parentheses reflect previous rankings.
We’re past the halfway point, and the Big 12 is living up to its billing as the deepest league in college hoops. Every week is a résumé-builder-or a résumé-buster. And with games like Arizona-Houston on the horizon, the fireworks are far from over.