Home Jayhawker's Big XII Rankings

Jayhawker's Big XII Rankings

The Jayhawker's Rankings are how I break down the Big 12, from first to worst.

Last updated 2/22
 

Kansas Jayhawks

Kansas Jayhawks

Overall Record: 32-2
Conference Record: 15-1
AP: 1 RPI: 1
 

Get it done 'Hawks. 

 

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Baylor Bears

Baylor Bears

Overall Record: 25-7
Conference Record: 11-5

AP: 24 RPI: 17
 

The Baylor Bears are legit, but youth and inexperience playing with the big boys has made it tough for them to win their road games this conference season, most recently losing to Oklahoma State.  I still feel they are the most complete team in the Big 12 besides KU, but losses and the fact that K-State is better coached and more experienced drops them to third.
 
Beginning with the frontcourt, Epke Udho, Anthony Jones and Quincy Acy are as long and athletic as any team in the country, and all create matchup nightmares.  Senior guard Tweety Carter can penetrate effectively while junior guard LaceDarius Dunn is currently the 2nd leading scorer in conference.

 

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Kansas State Wildcats

Kansas State Wildcats

Overall Record: 27-6
Conference Record: 11-5

AP: 6 RPI: 6
 

Kansas State continues to win in impressive fashion, and even though they will not be awarded a #1 seed (short of beating KU in Allen Fieldhouse) they do deserve to be in the conversation.
 

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Fan Blogs:  Bring on the Cats
 

Oklahoma State Cowboys

Oklahoma State Cowboys

Overall Record: 22-10
Conference Record: 9-7
AP: n/a RPI: 29
 

Back to back losses @ Missouri and then against Texas at home have dampered the Cowboys' win in The Octagon of Doom on 1/23.  Oklahoma State has some talent with James Anderson, but their schedule does them no favors the rest of the way, playing Baylor, Texas and Kansas three straight games to end February.  Ok-State can really show they are among the upper-echelon in the Big 12 with a strong finish to their schedule after knocking off Baylor at home, and I am predicting a victory on the road against the Longhorns.

 

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Fan Blogs:  OU Insider
 

Texas A&M Aggies

Texas A&M Aggies

Overall Record: 23-9
Conference Record: 11-5

AP: 22 RPI: 12

This team is well-coached, plays good defense, and has tremendous senior leadership at the guard positions - all of which are ingredients for a strong NCAA team.  A&M played Kansas very close, which this year means you usually get a boost in your RPI and AP polls.  Their upcoming game against Baylor in Waco is a great matchup.
 

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Fan Blogs: I Am the 12th Man, Aggie Fastbreak
 

Texas Longhorns

Texas Longhorns

Conference Record: 24-9

Overall Record: 9-7

AP: 21  RPI: 24
 

The Longhorns seem to field the same exact team every year - a frontcourt of indistinguishable 6'9" power forwards, a quick guard or two, and some very talented freshman.  The only difference this year is that they are incredibly overrated.  This Texas team is a prime candidate to get knocked off against an underrated opponent the first weekend of the NCAA tournament.

 

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Fan Blogs:  Burnt Orange Nation
 

Missouri Tigers

Missouri Tigers

Overall Record: 22-10
Conference Record: 10-6

AP: n/a RPI: 39
 

Some may wonder why I have Missouri so low on these rankings, to which I will ask:  have you seen them play this year?  Their offense is just miserable, and while they play a tough defensive scheme, this team does not impress the jayhawker.  They cannot win away from home, and I am counting neutral courts in that.  Despite the fact their record places them in 3rd place in the Big 12, I think their RPI has them pegged correctly as the 7th strongest.

 

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Fan Blogs:  Rock M Nation
 

Texas Tech Red Raiders

Texas Tech Red Raiders

Overall Record: 17-15
Conference Record: 4-12
AP: n/a RPI: 47
 

Pat Knight's team was a nice story starting off their season with a bang, but the overall lack of talent on the roster has taken its toll in conference play, as Texas Tech understandably has struggled mightily away from home.  Back to back loses against Baylor and Texas have probably sealed this team's ticket to the NIT.

 

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Fan Blogs:  Red Raiders
 

Iowa State Cyclones

Iowa State Cyclones

Overall Record: 15-17

Conference Record: 4-12
AP: n/a RPI: 107
 
My rankings for the three worst statistical teams in the Big 12 (Iowa St, Nebraksa, Colorado) will depend soley upon head to head matchups.  Iowa State ripped off wins against both Nebraska and Colorado thus far, so they sit a top the pile of garbage that is the basement of the Big 12.
 

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Fan Blogs:  Clone Chronicles
 

Colorado Buffaloes

Colorado Buffaloes

Overall Record: 15-16

Conference Record: 6-10

AP: n/a RPI: 143
 
"Is Colorado playing tonight?" asked one Buffalo fan.  "I don't know, pass the bong," responded another.
 

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Nebraska Cornhuskers

Nebraska Cornhuskers

Overall Record: 15-18
Conference Record: 2-14

AP: n/a RPI: 126
 
When does football season begin?
 

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Fan Blogs:  Corn Nation
 

Oklahoma Sooners

Oklahoma Sooners

Overall Record: 13-18
Conference Record: 4-12

AP: n/a RPI: 88
 

I am not sure I have ever seen a team in the Big 12 have such a disappointing season.  Not that OU was supposed to compete for the title, but they were expected at least to compete for an NCAA tournament bid.  At this point they are probably a bubble team...for the NIT.  Actually, I think scoring only 46 points against Nebraska should disqualify you from that as well.  Fine job Willie Warren, fine job.  OU will stay in the bottom of my rankings because you have to at least TRY to be considered by the jayhawker.

 

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Fan Blogs:  Crimson and Cream Machine