Over the past several seasons, the Big 12 Conference has garnered national attention as one of the best leagues in college basketball.

That hasn’t been any different this season.

Three teams are ranked in the AP Top-25 poll — two of which are in the Top-5 — and two more are receiving votes. All but three teams in the league have lost no more than six games total this season, and 8-of-10 have a winning record.

ESPN’s Joe Lunardi picked seven Big 12 teams to make the NCAA Touranment in his latest Bracketology, and as of Friday, ESPN had the Big 12 with the highest BPI raking in the country.

There’s no question the league is good.

“There is no easy nights,” Iowa State coach Steve Prohm said. “We go to Oklahoma, two nights before that they beat West Virginia at West Virginia. TCU is just so much more improved. Texas Tech, Tubby did a great job building them and now Chris is taking that another step. It’s tough to win on the road. The league is really, really good. And you look when you have three teams in the top-10, top-15, the balance is just so good.”

Iowa State (12-6, 4-3 Big 12) will have another tough test when it hosts Kansas State (15-4, 4-2 Big 12) at 8 p.m. on Tuesday night at Hilton Coliseum.

The Wildcats, who finished just 5-13 in conference play last season, are a much different team. Its four losses this season have been incredibly close. It fell by one to No. 22 Maryland, one point to Texas Tech and by nine points to No. 5 Baylor.

And its loss to No. 2 Kansas came in the final seconds when officials missed a blatant traveling call that would have forced overtime, instead giving Kansas the win.

Prohm has noticed how improved the Wildcats are this season, and isn’t doubting them one bit.

“It’s just a tough-minded group,” Prohm said. “I think them bringing guys back, then those guys all get a little bit better. I think their chemistry is good. It’s hard to win in Manhattan. They got a good team … it’s a great opportunity for us to get a really, really good win tomorrow.”

Iowa State point guard Monté Morris fits in with the conference’s best players again this season, too. So far in conference play, Morris is averaging 18.4 points per game, has a league-high assist-to-turnover ratio of 7.5 (45 assists to just six turnovers), and is playing 39.4 minutes per game.

While Prohm wanted to limit Morris’ minutes this season so he isn’t constantly out on the court, Morris said it hasn’t been an issue.

“Some games I would have to [be on the court the whole time]. But the way it’s going, I feel good,” Morris said. “As opposed to last year, I was just on the ball so much. Now, Donovan [Jackson], Naz [Mitrou-Long] and those guys can take the load off. I can guard wings and not have to pick up full and do everything. I feel good as of playing 39 minutes. I didn’t even know I was playing that much.”

With the way Morris is playing right now, though, Prohm isn’t likely to shy away from the All-American point guard.

“His Big 12 numbers are off the charts. He’s good in every area,” Prohm said. “And I think with how good Donovan is playing right now … I think that’s what’s put him in the situation. But as [Jackson] continues to grow, maybe take Monte’s minutes a little bit. But I have a peace about me when he’s on the floor.”

Iowa State and Kansas State are tied for third place in the conference with No. 18 West Virginia, behind only Baylor and Kansas.

And while it will be a tough stretch for the Cyclones over the next week, with the Mountaineers coming to Ames next week and the Wildcats — who received more votes than any team outside of the AP Top-25 this week — on Tuesday, Morris said he sees potential to make a move in the league standings.

“Every given night is different,” Morris said. “We’re tied for third. So we take care of business tomorrow, move on from it and get ready for West Virginia after [Vanderbilt], we should be in pretty good shape.”