In a college basketball landscape with 365 Division I programs, only 34 players are currently averaging 20 points per game. That’s rarified air-and it’s a level of scoring West Virginia hasn’t seen from one of its own in over two decades.
What makes that stat even more eye-opening is that five of those 34 scorers are doing it in the Big 12, a league that’s long been known for its physical defense and grind-it-out games. But that narrative is evolving. This year, the Big 12 is showing off a more dynamic offensive identity, with five of the nation’s top 30 scoring offenses and seven teams ranked in the top 30 in KenPom’s adjusted offensive efficiency.
It’s a fascinating duality. The same league that boasts seven teams in the top 30 in adjusted scoring defense is also lighting it up on the other end of the floor.
That includes programs like Arizona, BYU, Iowa State, Houston, and Kansas-all of which appear on both the offensive and defensive efficiency leaderboards. Texas Tech and Baylor are pushing the pace on offense, while Cincinnati and TCU are making their mark with stingy defense.
This kind of balance across the board is part of what makes the Big 12 such a gauntlet. You're not just preparing for a lockdown defense or a high-powered offense-you’re facing both, often in the same game.
West Virginia head coach Ross Hodge put it plainly when talking about the challenge of defending in today’s game: “The skill level of players today and then the ability to shoot the ball from multiple positions, it's challenging on defenses,” he said. “And in particular when you don't have a lot of collective experience, or you have a lot of turnover on the roster.”
He’s not wrong. In a league where roster turnover is the norm and continuity is the exception, defensive schemes are constantly being tested. Without that cohesion, teams can struggle to adjust on the fly-especially against lineups that can stretch the floor from every position.
So while the Big 12 still brings the defensive intensity it’s known for, it’s also becoming a showcase for offensive versatility and shot-making. And in a season where only a select few players are putting up 20 a night, the fact that five of them are doing it in this conference says a lot about just how tough-and talented-the Big 12 has become.