1. Kansas (22-6, 11-4 Big 12) [No change [—] from last week]

My, oh my, have things become interesting. After starting the Big 12 season 8-1 after a home win against Iowa State, it appeared the Jayhawks were all but a lock as Big 12 champions. But in the last 17 days, Kansas has dropped 3 of 6 games, making their last three-game stretch one of the highest-stakes Big 12 season finishes in recent memory.

2. Iowa State (20-6, 10-4 Big 12) [—]

The “glimmer of hope” for a Big 12 championship I gave the Cyclones in last week’s rankings has grown into a full blown beam of opportunity. After winning back-to-back games on the road, the possibility of winning looks more and more promising. Iowa State still has a difficult road ahead of them, but if they can avoid a stumble in the final weeks, they will fare no worse than co-Big 12 champions. 

3. Oklahoma (19-8, 10-5 Big 12) [—]

While Oklahoma sits only one game behind the Big 12 lead, the Sooners have been anything but consistent in the past two weeks. Since beating Iowa State at home, the Sooners fell to Kansas State on the road, struggled to pull out a win against Texas at home and needed overtime to beat Texas Tech. The team finishes with the brutal duo of Iowa State and Kansas in its road and home finales.

4. West Virginia (22-6, 10-5 Big 12) [—]

West Virginia is nipping at Oklahoma’s heels as the Mountaineers were able to take down Oklahoma State and Texas. With road games against Baylor and Kansas ahead, Oklahoma likely stays ahead of them in the standings, but West Virginia can surprise and upset the Big 12 standings.

5. Baylor (20-7, 8-6 Big 12) [+1]

Rico Gathers continues to be one of the nation’s best rebounders and the Bears have established themselves as a team no one wants to face late in the season. Their back-to-back matchups against Iowa State and West Virginia could change the outlook of the season from good to great if they can grab a win or two. 

6. Oklahoma State (17-10, 7-8 Big 12) [-1]

No one had a tougher week than the Cowboys of Oklahoma State, who went from being a legitimate contender for third place in the conference to sliding into the bottom half with two home losses. They still have a chance to get to 20 wins in the regular season, but the excitement has died down in Stillwater after three straight losses.

7. Kansas State (14-15, 7-9 Big 12) [+1]

It’s not easy to win in Bramlage Coliseum, but it’s been nearly impossible for in-state rivals, the Kansas Jayhawks. The Wildcats have now upset a top-10 KU team four times since 2008. More importantly, the team played as if it wanted to be playing with each other — an important development after reports of locker room hostility in the past few weeks.

8. Texas (17-11, 6-9 Big 12) [-1]

“N-I-T!” chants echoed through West Virginia’s arena as Texas dropped its 3rd straight game, making its NCAA tournament hopes dependent on winning at least two of its remaining three games. That’s no easy task with Kansas, Baylor and Kansas State on the schedule. The Longhorns are one of the most disappointing teams of the season after a No. 10 preseason ranking.

9. Texas Christian (16-11, 3-11 Big 12) [—]

The Horned Frogs showed fight against the Kansas Jayhawks, but could not pull off the upset in the high school gym they call home. Basketball is not much more of an afterthought in Fort Worth at this point in the season, but they host an IoSU team with Big 12 title aspirations in the season finale. Mark your calendars for what could be a wild finish for a team that has nothing to lose.

10. Texas Tech (12-15, 2-12 Big 12) [—]

Like Texas Christian, the Red Raiders gave a ranked team a tough time at home, but couldn’t pull off the upset. The Red Raiders just don’t have a lot to be excited for at this point in the season.