When Big 12 coaches voted for the conference's 2024-25 preseason poll, they may have missed the mark slightly on the league’s Pac-12 refugees.
Based on the nonconference season, ASU, Colorado and Utah appear more competitive than expected … while Arizona has underperformed.
The Wildcats (6-5), who were picked to finish fifth, still have computer rankings that place them among the league’s top half but are tied with Oklahoma State for the conference’s worst record entering their conference opener Monday against TCU at McKale Center.
Here’s an update on how the conference’s 16 teams stand heading into the opening of the conference season this weekend, in order of how they were picked in the Big 12's preseason poll (games listed are at homecourts unless otherwise noted):
1. Kansas (9-2)
Kansas forward KJ Adams reacts after scoring against Duke during the first half of a Nov. 26, 2024, game in Las Vegas.
Kenpom/NET ratings: 8/12
Best win: 75-72 over Duke on Nov. 26 at Las Vegas
Worst loss: 76-63 at Creighton on Dec. 4
What’s new: The Jayhawks have performed largely as expected against a difficult nonconference schedule, with South Dakota State transfer guard Zeke Mayo fitting in with a veteran core led by Big 12 preseason Player of the Year Hunter Dickinson at center. They have beaten three Top 30 Kenpom teams – Duke, North Carolina and Michigan State – but lost at Creighton and at Missouri in early December.
He said it: “We had five really crap days, and we got what we deserved, but overall, I don’t know, probably B- overall (in nonconference play)… if you took the right class where you could drop your worst two tests, then we would’ve probably had a pretty good semester. But not all professors allow that.” — Kansas coach Bill Self, on Dec. 22
2. Houston (8-3)
Kenpom/NET ratings: 4/6
Best win: 69-51 over Butler on Dec. 7
Worst loss:73-70 (OT) to San Diego State on Nov. 30 at Las Vegas
What’s new: It’s been a nonconference season of near-misses for the Cougars, who lost by five to Auburn and then in overtime to Alabama and SDSU, while recent limits on big man J'Wan Roberts (foot) have impacted their ability to protect the rim.
He said it: “Our team is going to continue to improve. We’re nowhere close to playing our best basketball right now.” — Houston coach Kelvin Sampson, on Dec. 21
3. Iowa State (10-1)
Kenpom/NET ratings: 5/8
Best win: 81-70 over Marquette on Dec. 4
Worst loss: 83-81 to Auburn on Nov. 25 at Lahaina, Hawaii
What’s new: With its highest AP ranking since 1956-57 – No. 3 – the Cyclones might be the Big 12’s frontrunner at this point. Iowa State scored 80 points or more in all nonconference games this season and has won 25 straight home games.
He said it: “Not having to learn in losses is important. There’s a lot of positives to take away (from nonconference play). We’ve shown at times the team we can be. The consistency is something we have to work on at both ends.” — Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger, on Dec. 22
4. Baylor (7-3)
Kenpom/NET ratings: 18/20 (entering Friday's game vs. Arlington Baptist)
Best win: 99-98 (2OT) over St. John’s on Nov. 21 at Nassau, Bahamas
Worst loss: 77-62 to Tennessee on Nov. 22 at Nassau, Bahamas
What’s new: Dipping out and then back into the Top 25, Baylor has only had a full complement of players in two of its first 10 games. The most significant loss: Duke transfer guard Jeremy Roach has been out since Dec. 4 because of concussion protocol.
He said it: “The good thing is, our returning players have been able to share their wisdom and knowledge about Big 12 play. And one thing about portal players is they've played college basketball, they know how hard it is come league play. Part of the reason they came to Baylor was to be a part of the Big 12 grind and to play the best.” — Baylor coach Scott Drew, on Dec. 26
5. Arizona (6-5)
Arizona forward Henri Veesaar moves to the basket against Davidson at the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament Nov. 27, 2024.
Kenpom/NET ratings: 24/26
Best win: 104-71 over Davidson on Nov. 27 at Paradise Island, Bahamas
Worst loss: 83-76 (OT) to West Virginia on Nov. 29 at Paradise Island, Bahamas
What’s new: The Wildcats received two encouraging games from previously slumping preseason all-American Caleb Love at the end of nonconference play. But they're shifting their rotation around to compensate for the loss of projected starting center Motiejus Krivas (foot) — and trying to figure out how to win a close game.
He said it: “We always want to be team driven, so that's going to be the focus. We're going to be at our best when we have eight or nine guys contributing every night.” — Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd, on Dec. 21
6. Cincinnati (10-1)
Kenpom/NET ratings: 21/18
Best win: 66-59 over Dayton on Dec. 20
Worst loss: 68-60 at Villanova on Dec. 3
What’s new: After playing a weak November schedule, the Bearcats have beaten Xavier in the Crosstown Shootout and Dayton before a largely pro-Flyer crowd at Heritage Bank Center. Standout wing Dan Skillings missed six games with a minor knee injury but has since returned.
He said it: “We wanted to put ourselves in a position to go into league play and to be a quality team. I believe we've done that. Was it perfect? No, it's not perfect. We have a lot of room for improvement but when we look back at the non-conference, I am pleased.” — Cincinnati coach Wes Miller, on Dec. 22
7. Texas Tech (9-2)
Kenpom/NET ratings: 13/17
Best win: 76-62 over DePaul on Dec. 4
Worst loss: 78-77 to St. Joseph’s at Brooklyn, N.Y.
What’s new: A rash of injuries and a weak nonconference schedule have made it difficult to figure out who the Red Raiders really are. While versatile forward Darrion Williams has led them, their two top big men, JT Toppin (knee) and Federiko Federiko (shoulder) have been out lately.
He said it: “We’ve got great talent. With us, (opponents) have to guard these guys who can shoot, pass, handle. To me, the mindset is how much more physical can be we be defensively?” — Texas Tech coach Grant McCasland, on Dec. 21
8. Kansas State (6-5)
Kenpom/NET ratings: 90/122
Best win: 83-71 over George Washington on Nov. 22 at St. Thomas, Virgin Islands
Worst loss: 84-65 at Wichita State on Dec. 21
What’s new: Those contributing to K-State’s NIL collective aren’t getting much of a return on their investment. The Wildcats' reported $2 million player Coleman Hawkins is averaging less than 10 points a game and shooting only 37.4%, while K-State has struggled far more than expected across the board so far.
He said it: “I feel like it's us versus everybody. I can't go on my phone without people wishing the worst for me and not just for me, but for our team. It devastates me. I just went on my phone and saw someone say, ‘I hope you break your leg.' That's the kind of stuff that our team has been dealing with all year. It just affects me so much because I don't wish that upon my worst enemy." — Hawkins, on Dec. 17
9. BYU (9-2)
Kenpom/NET ratings: 41/43
Best win: 72-61 over N.C. State on Nov. 29 at San Diego
Worst loss: 83-64 at Providence on Dec. 3
What’s new: NBA scouts are abuzz over Russian freshman Egor Demin, a unicorn-ish point forward who has missed the Cougars’ past three games with a knee injury but is expected to return soon. The Cougars’ quality depth helped them win their past three games without him.
He said it: “I think I probably learned more than the players. I’m extremely critical of what we do and I always ask myself, ‘Are we on the right path?’ … In hindsight, I wish there would have been a few more ... power teams we could have played to learn even more.” — BYU coach Kevin Young, on Dec. 20
10. TCU (7-4)
Kenpom/NET ratings: 74/74
Best win: 76-72 over Xavier on Dec. 5
Worst loss: 69-52 to Santa Clara on Nov. 28 at Palm Springs
What’s new: ASU transfer point guard Frankie Collins led the Horned Frogs in scoring (11.4) and assists (4.4) before breaking his foot in TCU’s loss to Vanderbilt on Dec. 8. He'll miss the rest of the season.
He said it: “It’s been a process and why wouldn’t it be? We’ve got 12 new guys. We reorganized and restructured because we had some injuries.” — TCU coach Jamie Dixon, on Dec. 22
11. UCF (9-2)
Kenpom/NET ratings: 75/81
Best win: 64-61 over Texas A&M on Nov. 4
Worst loss: 109-102 to LSU on Nov. 24 at White Sulphur Springs, W. Va.
What’s new: The Knights have played only two Top 100 Kenpom teams and only left the state of Florida to visit West Virginia, where they lost both games they played. But they just received last season’s leading scorer, Jaylin Sellers, back after he missed 10 games with an undisclosed injury.
He said it: “(Sellers has) been missing for quite some time, and in several cases guys went out of their way to make sure they found him to make a play. He came through and made the play. We’re better with him on the court.” — UCF coach Johnny Dawkins, on Dec. 21
12. Arizona State (9-2)
Arizona State head coach Bobby Hurley walks on the court after a game against Gonzaga, Nov. 10, 2024, in Spokane, Wash.
Kenpom/NET ratings: 59/50
Best win: 68-64 over Saint Mary’s on Nov. 29 at Palm Springs
Worst loss: 83-66 to Florida on Dec. 14 at Atlanta
What’s new: After the Sun Devils' brutal 103-47 exhibition loss at Duke, ASU coach Bobby Hurley has meshed together a talented team featuring Ball State transfer forward Basheer Jihad and highly regarded freshmen Jayden Quaintance and Joson Sanon despite playing only four games at Desert Financial Arena.
He said it: “Our guys are ready to start Big 12 play, and they’re excited to get after it. Hopefully, we shock a lot of people and make an impact in conference play.” — ASU guard Alston Mason, on Dec. 21
13. West Virginia (9-2)
West Virginia's Tucker DeVries, rear, reacts at the end of the game against Gonzaga at the Battle 4 Atlantis in Paradise Island, Bahamas.
Kenpom/NET ratings: 48/33
Best win: 86-78 over Gonzaga on Nov. 27 at Paradise Island, Bahamas
Worst loss: 86-62 at Pittsburgh on Nov. 15.
What’s new: The Mountaineers have largely gone where forward Tucker DeVries takes them — including a win over Arizona in which he hit 8 of 12 3-pointers — but he’s missed the past three games with an undisclosed upper-body injury and remains out indefinitely.
He said it: “Like I told the guys, the nonconference portion is over, and they did their job in terms of putting themselves in position and now they get ready for Big 12 play.” — West Virginia coach Darian DeVries, on Dec. 22
14. Oklahoma State (8-3)
Kenpom/NET ratings: 104/108
Best win: 80-74 over Miami (Fla.) on Nov. 22 at Charleston, S.C.
Worst loss: 86-78 to Florida Atlantic on Nov. 21 at Charleston, S.C.
What’s new: In his first year of a potentially rough rebuilding job, coach Steve Lutz may have the Cowboys ready to at least compete in the Big 12. They’re deep and have the experience of playing six games away from home already.
He said it: “We’ve continued to get better in spurts but our problem is we’ve still got to find a way to put 40 minutes together.” — Lutz, on Dec. 22
15. Colorado (9-2)
Kenpom/NET ratings: 76/77
Best win: 73-72 over UConn on Nov. 26 at Lahaina, Hawaii
Worst loss: 72-56 to Michigan State on Nov. 25 at Lahaina, Hawaii
What’s new: Once the Pac-12’s most stable program, Colorado is dealing with the loss of three players to the 2024 NBA Draft and three key transfers. But NAIA transfer Elijah Malone and Washington State transfer Andrej Jakimovski have played key roles alongside veteran guard Julian Hammond.
He said it: “I think we've made progress in a lot of areas on both sides of the ball. We've shown in stretches we can really defend, that we can understand a scouting report and play for each other. Offensively, we share the ball.” — Colorado coach Tad Boyle, on Dec. 21
16. Utah (8-3)
Kenpom/NET ratings: 63/63
Best win: 81-63 over Radford on Dec. 14
Worst loss: 72-63 to Saint Mary’s on Dec. 7
What’s new: The Utes are 8-0 in Quad 4 games, which basically means nothing for a high-major team. But they've been competitive against better competition in three losses, and they're a decent-shooting team (58.2% from 2-point range and 37.9% from 3).
He said it: “We have to be able to finish, whether it’s finish the possession or finish with the defensive rebound or finish plays at the rim, or make your free throws or finish.” — Utah coach Craig Smith, on Dec. 7
