Big 12 Basketball Power Rankings: Week 1 Of 2025-26 Season

Big 12 Basketball Power Rankings: Week 1 of 2025-26 Season

The 2025-26 Big 12 basketball season has officially begun, promising another competitive year. This marks the second season of the 16-team era for the conference.

Conference Outlook

The Big 12 aims to reestablish itself as the premier basketball conference in the country. Last season, even though the SEC led the spotlight, the Big 12 made a strong showing with seven teams qualifying for the NCAA Tournament. Houston notably advanced to the National Championship Game.

Top Teams and Players

Houston remains the favorite to win the Big 12 title for the third straight regular season under coach Kelvin Sampson. The team features a youthful roster bolstered by an acclaimed freshman class led by Chris Cenac.

Freshmen stars to watch across the conference include:

AJ Dybantsa from BYU
Darryn Peterson, the nation's No. 2 recruit, representing Kansas
Tounde Yessoufou from Baylor
Chris Cenac from Houston
Koa Peat from Arizona

Strong Contenders for the Season

Four Big 12 teams—Houston, BYU, Texas Tech, and Arizona—reached the NCAA Sweet 16 last year and appear poised to perform equally well or better this season.

Last year, four teams from the Big 12 reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.

KSL Sports will provide weekly Big 12 basketball power rankings every Monday throughout the college hoops season.

Author's Summary

The Big 12 opens the 2025-26 season with a talented mix of proven contenders and exciting freshmen stars, aiming to reclaim its top national standing in college basketball.

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KSL Sports — 2025-11-04