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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. Big 12 power rankings. . 14-4, 2-3 Big 12. . . 8. . 540.

As another new team in the Big 12, the Cougars have struggled to hold their own. Coming into conference play, BYU was undefeated. They then dropped their first two conference games, their first Big 12 win coming over fellow newcomer UCF.

This past week, the Cougars picked it up a little bit, beating No. 24 Iowa State easily at home. However, the reason the Cougars are a little lower on this list is because they held a lead over Texas Tech, the top team in the conference, for the majority of the game, only to give it up in the end. The Red Raiders came back to win 85-78, sending the BYU home with their third loss in the conference.

It is hard to believe that BYU will still be ranked in this week's rankings, but maybe that win over Iowa State can help them out. Going forward, the Cougars face a tough test as they take on No. 5 Houston, who is coming off a dominant defensive game over UCF. In a battle between the Cougars, if BYU can hold on for a win, they could really boost their season.

If BYU beats Houston, it could also help them in the power rankings, but until then, they remain in the bottom half going forward.

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