Happy New Year and welcome to Big 12 play!

No more cupcake wins and tiny schools with weird names. It’s time for Big 12 basketball, Big Monday games and huge match-ups that not only shake up conference rankings, but the national college basketball landscape. 

Without further ado, here are The Daily’s first Big 12 power rankings for the 2016 season. Let’s go:

1. No. 2 Kansas (11-1) 

The Jayhawks have won 11 straight Big 12 regular season titles and with a stacked roster that includes Perry Ellis, Frank Mason III and Wayne Selden, Jr., there is no reason to pick against Kansas taking the Big 12 for the 12th straight year.

2. No. 3 Oklahoma (11-0)

While Kansas is the favorite to win the conference again, Oklahoma and Iowa State will both have something to say about that as they look to dethrone the Jayhawks. Oklahoma is led by National Player of the Year candidate Buddy Hield, who is averaging just under 25 points a game and shooting better than 50 percent from 3-point land. 

3. No. 11 Iowa State (11-1)

The Cyclones are sporting a new coach in Steve Prohm, but return a host of experienced talent, led by Georges Niang, Monté Morris and Jameel McKay. The loss of Naz Mitrou-Long for the season hurts, but Iowa State has enough talent in its rotation to overcome it. Along with Oklahoma, Iowa State posses a major threat to Kansas’ 11-year conference streak.  

4. No. 19 West Virginia (11-1)

The Bob Huggins-led squad’s lone loss came against No. 11 Virginia, but the Mountaineers have been clicking on all cylinders besides that slip-up. West Virginia is 14th nationally at 85.7 points per game and 13th nationally in points allowed at just 59.8 points per game. West Virginia’s fast pace of play and hyperactive defense is difficult for opponents to overcome.

5. No. 23 Baylor (10-2)

Baylor has losses to Texas A&M and Oregon this season, but Taurean Prince, Rico Gathers and company are no pushovers in the Big 12. Gathers and Johnathan Motley are a formidable front-court duo, while Prince and Al Freeman have the ability to light it up.  

6. Texas (8-4)

Texas doesn’t have a record that warrants this high of a ranking, but the Longhorns have played a tough schedule, with losses to Texas A&M, Washington, Michigan and UConn. Texas downed North Carolina but will have to find more firepower with second-leading scorer Cameron Ridley out indefinitely. Isaiah Taylor can’t do it all by himself.

7. Kansas State (10-2)

The Wildcats have quality wins against a few SEC teams, but nothing that jumps off the page. They have lost to North Carolina and Texas A&M. Kansas State’s offense hasn’t shown anything special yet this season, but its been solid defensively, allowing just 61.5 points per game, good for 17th best in the nation. 

8. Oklahoma State (8-4)

The Cowboys have some bad losses at the hands of Tulsa and Missouri State and no marquee wins yet. Oklahoma State has four players averaging double-figures and a fifth player who is averaging 9.9 points per game. The spread-out attack and sharpshooter Phil Forte’s ability to go off at any times makes the Cowboys a dangerous opponent even if they are toward the bottom of the Big 12.

9. Texas Tech (10-1)

Texas Tech has a great record and even received votes in the latest AP Top 25 poll, but Tubby Smith’s Red Raiders haven’t played a formidable opponent yet. Texas Tech has wins against Minnesota and Mississippi State but no other wins against a Power Five school. The Red Raiders lost to No. 16 Utah. Until Texas Tech beats a legitimate team, it’ll stay toward the bottom of the Big 12 rankings. 

10. TCU (8-4)

TCU has played two solid teams, Washington and SMU, and lost both. Aside from that, it hasn’t played a tough opponent and still ended the non-conference schedule with a so-so record. It could be another long season for Horned Frogs.