OSU women’s basketball coach Jacie Hoyt with baby Harlow, who got her first Big 12 win
OSU women’s basketball coach Jacie Hoyt with baby Harlow, who got her first Big 12 win
Only four teams remain undefeated in Big 12 play.
That group consists of No. 11 Kansas State, No. 12 TCU, Oklahoma State and Utah. But with other teams such as West Virginia, Baylor and Iowa State in the mix, there’s no shortage of conference title contenders.
Let’s get into this week’s conference power rankings:
Last week: 2
This week: vs. Cincinnati (Saturday); at Kansas (Tuesday)
No. 12-ranked TCU (14-1, 2-0 Big 12) didn’t light up the scoreboard in its 63-50 home win over Colorado on Wednesday. It instead leaned on its defense by holding the Buffaloes to 18-for-51 shooting from the field (35.3%) and forcing 17 turnovers.
Last week: 1
This week: vs. Texas Tech (Saturday); at Utah (Wednesday)
After being tied with Houston entering the fourth quarter, No. 11 Kansas State (14-1, 2-0 Big 12) avoided the upset on Wednesday by earning a 74-55 road win. The Wildcats got 15 points apiece from Ayoka Lee, Temira Poindexter and Jaelyn Glenn.
Last week: 3
This week: vs. Kansas (Saturday); at Cincinnati (Wednesday)
Oklahoma State (12-1, 2-0 Big 12) dismantled Baylor for an 84-61 road win on Wednesday. The Cowgirls rank ninth in the nation in points per game (87.4) and have proven that their offense is legit, even against tougher competition.
Last week: 4
This week: vs. BYU (Saturday); at Texas Tech (Wednesday)
No. 18 West Virginia (11-2, 1-1 Big 12) got back on track with an 80-58 home win over UCF on Wednesday. The Mountaineers forced 23 turnovers, and Sydney Woodley recorded a game-high five steals in only 18 minutes.
Last week: 8
This week: at Iowa State (Sunday); vs. Kansas State (Wednesday)
Utah (11-2, 2-0 Big 12) has handled its business so far in Big 12 play with wins over Arizona State (102-82) and Arizona (69-48). But it’ll be tested when it faces Iowa State and Kansas State.
Last week: 6
This week: at Baylor (Saturday); vs. UCF (Wednesday)
Colorado (10-3, 1-1 Big 12) suffered a 63-50 road loss to TCU on Wednesday. Still, it can’t be mad at splitting its first two Big 12 games against West Virginia and TCU.
Last week: 5
This week: vs. Colorado (Saturday); at Arizona (Wednesday)
No. 24 Baylor (11-3, 1-1 Big 12) got stifled in its 84-61 home loss to Oklahoma State on Wednesday. The Bears will need more production moving forward from star guard Darianna Littlepage-Buggs, who has yet to score double-digit points in conference play.
Last week: 10
This week: vs. Utah (Sunday); at Arizona State (Wednesday)
Iowa State (10-5, 1-1 Big 12) earned a 78-64 home win over Kansas on Wednesday, and star center Audi Crooks racked up 33 points and seven rebounds. That’s an encouraging sight for the Cyclones, who’ve had a tough start to the season.
Last week: 7
This week: at Oklahoma State (Saturday); vs. TCU (Tuesday)
Kansas (10-3, 0-2 Big 12) suffered a 78-64 road loss to Iowa State on Wednesday. The Jayhawks rank 15th in the conference in points per game (67.6), and they need to find consistent scoring production outside of sophomore guard S’Mya Nichols.
Last week: 13
This week: at TCU (Saturday); vs. Oklahoma State (Wednesday)
Cincinnati (9-3, 1-1 Big 12) earned a 72-63 home win over BYU on Wednesday, and Jillian Hayes recorded 16 points and 13 rebounds. But 12 of those points came from free throws, and the fifth-year forward has now shot 3 for 24 (12.5%) in her last three outings.
Last week: 9
This week: at Kansas State (Saturday); vs. West Virginia (Wednesday)
Texas Tech (12-3, 1-1 Big 12) stumbled in its 79-61 road loss to Arizona State on Wednesday. The Lady Raiders committed 21 turnovers, and they’re now averaging a conference-high 18.1 turnovers per game.
Last week: 11
This week: at UCF (Saturday); vs. Baylor (Wednesday)
Arizona (10-5, 1-1 Big 12) suffered a 69-48 home loss to Utah on Tuesday. The Wildcats fell short despite a stellar performance by freshman guard Lauryn Swann, who scored a career-high 22 points in 22 minutes off the bench.
Last week: 15
This week: at Houston (Saturday); vs. Iowa State (Wednesday)
Arizona State (7-7, 1-1 Big 12) showcased its depth in a 79-61 home win over Texas Tech on Wednesday. Six players scored double-digit points for the Sun Devils, and junior guard Kennedy Fauntleroy led the way with 17 points.
Last week: 12
This week: at West Virginia (Saturday); vs. Houston (Wednesday)
BYU (9-4, 0-2 Big 12) suffered a 72-63 road loss to Cincinnati on Wednesday. The Cougars have struggled in conference play, and things won’t get any easier when they face West Virginia on the road Saturday.
Last week: 14
This week: vs. Arizona (Saturday); at Colorado (Wednesday)
UCF (7-5, 0-2 Big 12) suffered an 80-58 road loss to West Virginia on Wednesday. The Knights rank 15th in the conference in points allowed per game (66.8).
Last week: 16
This week: vs. Arizona State (Saturday); at BYU (Wednesday)
Houston (4-9, 0-2 Big 12) gave Kansas State a scare on Wednesday, but it still suffered a 74-55 home loss. Next up are two winnable games against Arizona State and BYU, though.