Big 12 Rundown: Kansas Makes a Statement, Houston Stays Hot, and UCF Hits a Wall
With Big 12 basketball now stretching into Sundays, our weekly check-in has slid to Monday-but the action hasn’t slowed down one bit. From Kansas flexing its muscle on the road to Houston stacking résumé wins, we’re starting to get a clearer picture of who’s rising, who’s stumbling, and who’s got work to do as we head into the heart of conference play. Let’s break it all down.
🔥 Best Week: Kansas
Let’s start with the Jayhawks, who just put together their most complete week of the season. Winning in Lubbock is no small feat-Texas Tech had been perfect at home until Kansas rolled in and handed them their first loss in their own building. That alone would’ve made for a strong week, but the Jayhawks followed it up by taking care of business against Utah without any signs of a letdown.
What stood out? Darryn Peterson.
The freshman phenom logged 35 and 34 minutes in the two wins, looking fully engaged and in rhythm. When he's locked in like that, Kansas hits another gear.
This version of the Jayhawks? They look like a team nobody wants to face come March.
🚀 Second Best Week: Houston
Houston didn’t just win-they dominated. The Cougars added two more Quad 1 victories to an already loaded tournament résumé, first dismantling UCF, then going on the road and beating No.
16 BYU by double digits. That’s the kind of week that not only locks in a high seed come Selection Sunday but also sends a message: Houston is built for March.
They’re deep, they’re physical, and they defend like their lives depend on it. And when their offense clicks like it did this week? Watch out.
😬 Worst Week: UCF
For a team living on the NCAA Tournament bubble, UCF couldn’t afford a week like this. Losing to No.
8 Houston on the road is understandable-getting blown out by nearly 30? That’s a gut punch.
Following that up with a 20-point loss to Cincinnati, a team well outside the tournament picture? That’s the kind of back-to-back that can derail a postseason bid.
The Knights have shown flashes, but consistency is the name of the game this time of year. And right now, UCF is trending in the wrong direction.
🏆 MVP of the Week: Kingston Flemings, Houston
Kingston Flemings is starting to look like a name we’ll be hearing a lot more of come NBA Draft night. The Houston guard was everywhere this week, stuffing the stat sheet and leading his team to two big wins.
Against UCF, he dropped 18 points on an efficient 8-for-12 shooting night, added six assists, three boards, two steals, and a block. That’s a full shift.
Then he followed it up with a 19-5-5 performance in the win over BYU. Flemings is doing a bit of everything-and doing it well.
His stock is climbing for a reason.
📅 Game to Watch: No. 1 Arizona at No. 11 Kansas (Monday Night)
Circle it. Highlight it.
Set your reminders. Tonight’s matchup between Arizona and Kansas might be the best regular-season game we get all year.
The Jayhawks are playing their best basketball right now, and if Darryn Peterson is in full go-mode again, they’ve got a real shot to hand Arizona its first loss of the season.
Allen Fieldhouse will be rocking, ESPN will be there, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. This one’s got all the makings of a classic.
📊 Actually Accomplished Rankings
Forget preseason polls and brand names-this is about what teams have actually done on the court this season. Think blind résumés.
No projections, no potential, just results. And right now, here’s how things stack up:
- Arizona
- Iowa State
- Houston
- Texas Tech
- Kansas
- UCF
- BYU
- Baylor
- West Virginia
- Oklahoma State
- TCU
- Colorado
- Cincinnati
- Arizona State
- Kansas State
- Utah
These rankings are fluid and will shift as teams continue to build-or hurt-their résumés. But for now, Arizona sits at the top, with Houston and Kansas making strong moves up the board.
We’re hitting the point in the season where every possession starts to matter just a little more. The Big 12 has been as unpredictable and competitive as ever, and if this past week is any indication, we’re in for one heck of a finish.