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2020-21 Big 12 Basketball Power Rankings: Week 5

Power rankings are back after a week off and movement is happening all across the conference.

NCAA Basketball: Texas at Kansas Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

1. No. 2 Baylor (10-0, 3-0)

This is Scott Drew’s world and we’re all living in it. Oklahoma may be a tournament team this year but the Bears straight-up did not care. They got out to a big lead early and cruised their way to a 15-point win. The tougher portion of their schedule is still ahead though as the Bears have yet to play UT, KU, Tech or West Virginia. NEXT UP: Saturday at TCU.

2. No. 4 Texas (9-1, 3-0)

The Horns are here and after beating KU in Allen Fieldhouse by 25, everyone is aware. This team is locked in. They have, easily, the best conference win of the season and have also staved off a good Oklahoma State team and a pesky Iowa State team. Baylor may be a giant but Texas may have what it takes to slay them. NEXT UP: Saturday at West Virginia.

3. No. 6 Kansas (9-2, 3-1)

Hello History! Texas strolls into the Phog and gives Bill Self a historically bad drubbing and despite KU taking out their anger on middling TCU, questions still abound the Jayhawks. When they’re hitting from outside, they look as good as any team in the country. If they aren’t, it may be open season on the Hawks. NEXT UP: Saturday vs Oklahoma.

4. No. 18 Texas Tech (9-3, 2-2)

The Red Raiders had a middling week and if it wasn’t for strong second half performance (read: shooting a lot more free throws) versus Kansas State it would’ve been an outright disaster. But regardless of the circumstances, they found a way to win. Pesky Iowa State is up next and if they give the ‘Clones the opportunities they gave K-State, I think things will end differently. NEXT UP: Saturday at Iowa State.

5. Oklahoma (6-3, 2-2)

Positive momentum for the Sooners. They take down West Virginia despite losing a big halftime lead right after blowing a win at Texas Tech. Baylor demolished them easily but it’s really only news if Baylor doesn’t demolish you. A reinvigorated Kansas waits for Lon Kruger’s bunch in Lawrence. NEXT UP: Saturday at Kansas.

6. No. 14 West Virginia (9-3, 2-2)

Kind of a weird week for Bob Huggins. First, West Virginia announced that star center Oscar Tshiebwe was going sitting out for the rest season and most likely will be leaving the team. Then, WVU rallied from a 18-point halftime deficit versus Oklahoma on Saturday only to come up four-points short followed later that week by falling behind by 19 to Oklahoma State on Monday only to successfully come back and win. The Mountaineers need stability if they want to climb their way back into the conference race. NEXT UP: Saturday vs Texas.

7. Oklahoma State (7-3, 1-3)

The Cowboys almost had their second top-20 win in a row Monday night over what seemed to be a spiraling West Virginia team. They led by 19 in the second half but the Mountaineers and their veteran leadership battled back and the talented but inexperience Cowboys took a somewhat embarrassing L. Their win over Tech on Saturday was a positive step forward though, so things should still be all good in Stillwater despite their 1-3 conference record. No team in the Big 12 has as many close-call losses than OSU. Seven points separates them from being undefeated and probably a top 15 team. NEXT UP: Saturday at Kansas State.

8. TCU (9-3, 2-2)

After a position-solidifying win over K-State, the Frogs ran headlong into the buzzsaw that is an angry Bill Self team. A 29-point loss later and TCU still is battling for position among the bottom half of the conference. But, if they manage to keep knocking off the the other non-elite Big 12 squads, that still may be more than good enough to punch their ticket to the Big Dance. NEXT UP: Saturday vs Baylor.

9. Iowa State (2-6, 0-4)

Is Iowa State the best 2-6 team in the country? Probably, but on principle, I refuse to do further research. The ‘Clones have not won a conference game this season but three single-digit losses (two on the road) versus ranked Texas, Baylor and West Virginia have me thinking that something good is up in Ames. With their top four guys averaging double-figures, I like the direction Iowa State is headed. NEXT UP: Saturday vs Texas Tech.

10. Kansas State (5-7, 1-3)

I think if the Cats would’ve had an effort more in line with their Texas Tech loss earlier this week versus TCU, they wouldn’t have fallen down to the 10th spot. But with their injuries and other growing pains, this team does not look better than anyone in the conference right now, including Iowa State. I have faith that this young team can have it come together and surprise a couple more teams before the year is up, but for now this is who they are. NEXT UP: Saturday vs Oklahoma State.