Big 12 basketball Power Rankings: Kansas State moving up, Jayhawks fall

Two weeks into conference play and the Big 12 is out of control. The most competitive conference is proving why it is elite. Here are this week's Big 12 Power Rankings.

Jan 20, 2024; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys guard John-Michael Wright (51) tries to swat the ball away from Wildcat guard Tylor Perry (2). / Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

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13-5, 2-3 Big 12. . 467. . Big 12 power rankings. . . . . 11

The Longhorns had a very up-and-down week. They held a 15-point lead over UCF at home with 10 minutes left in the second half. They looked poised to put the Knights away in a must-win game sitting at 1-2 in the conference.

The Knights buckled down and had good stops on defense, forcing the Longhorn's best shootings to go cold. Texas let the game slip away and ended up losing 77-71, dropping to 1-3 in the conference. I talked earlier about the drama after the game, which was not a good look for Texas and Rodney Terry. The Longhorns had to bounce back in their next game if they wanted to stay somewhat in the Big 12 race.

Texas played No. 9 Baylor, a team also coming off a tough loss against Kansas State, at home Saturday. Both teams came out hot shooting well beyond the arc, going back and forth. In the second half, the Longhorns were able to sink shots when needed most and took down Baylor in a close on 75-73.

Going forward, Texas might have some trouble moving up in the rankings as they hit the road for two games against No. 15 Oklahoma and No. 20 BYU. The Longhorns' win over Baylor is what helped them from falling lower in the rankings.

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