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Houston and Iowa State look dominant, Arizona is fitting in immediately, and the middle of the league is stacked with NCAA-tournament-level depth.

Two weeks into the new season, the Big 12 looks like the same beast it has been for the better part of a decade. The arrival of Arizona, Colorado, Utah, and Arizona State has only deepened the field, and the early numbers confirm that the league remains a national powerhouse—ranked No. 3 in conference efficiency, behind only the SEC and Big Ten.

From Houston’s suffocating defense to Iowa State’s balanced execution to a handful of undefeated teams with shaky statistical profiles, there’s already plenty to unpack. The Big 12 might not have a bad team this year, but it does have a fascinating range of contenders, climbers, and potential trouble spots.

Below is where every team stands after two weeks—what’s real, what might be noise, and what to watch next.

Big 12 Team-by-Team Capsules

Houston (4–0, +29.3 Proj | NetRtg: 119.1 | AdjD: 89.8 | Conf SOS: 355)

Houston looks exactly like Houston. The Cougars are once again a defensive buzzsaw, posting an absurd 89.8 DRtg, which would be elite even by their standards. Yes, the schedule has been soft, but their dominance is unmistakable. Their offensive efficiency remains comfortably in the top 30, and nothing suggests they won’t enter league play as the clear favorite.
Next major test: A real one doesn’t arrive until mid-December.

Iowa State (4–0, +26.3 Proj | NetRtg: 119.2 | AdjD: 92.6)

The Cyclones’ offense is way ahead of where it usually is at this point in the season. They’re shooting incredibly well, ranking top-15 nationally in ORtg and showing the kind of balanced profile usually reserved for March threats. Their tempo control and turnover avoidance match the analytics.
Next major test: St. John’s in a strength-of-style matchup.

Arizona (4–0, +24.6 Proj | NetRtg: 121.4 | AdjD: 93.2)

So far, the Wildcats look like they’ve been in the Big 12 for years. A top-5 offense and top-30 defense give them a contender’s profile, and their ball movement looks Big 12-ready. Their upcoming trip to UConn should give us the clearest early indicator of whether this is just a fast start or a true title chase.

Next major test: At Connecticut in a game with seeding implications.

Texas Tech (3–1, +23.8 Proj | NetRtg: 123.1 | AdjD: 86.5)

Texas Tech might be the league’s most quietly impressive team through two weeks. Their 8th-rated defense pairs with a high-functioning offense, and the Raiders are winning with physicality and discipline. Their upset loss isn’t concerning—the underlying numbers remain outstanding.
Next major test: Wake Forest is a resume-building opportunity.

BYU (3–1, +20.8 Proj | NetRtg: 118.0 | AdjD: 92.8)

BYU’s win at Wisconsin is one of the Big 12’s best early results, and the Cougars’ efficiency numbers suggest they’re legitimately top-20 good. The shooting is strong, the shot selection is clean, and the defense is significantly ahead of last year’s pace.
Next major test: A late-week meeting with Creighton.

Baylor (3–0, +20.7 Proj | NetRtg: 120.3 | AdjD: 91.0)

Baylor is absolutely cooking offensively, ranking 12th in ORtg and showing the usual guard play that makes them dangerous. The Bears haven’t been tested much yet, but their balance is promising: high-level offense with a top-50 defense is the blueprint for a Big 12 contender.
Next major test: Creighton—by far their best opponent so far.

Cincinnati (4–0, +17.0 Proj | NetRtg: 108.5 | AdjD: 94.8)

Cincinnati is a grinder. Their offense is just okay, but their defense is sturdy enough to keep them competitive in virtually every game. The Bearcats look like the type of team that will create chaos in the middle of the conference—and they’re probably a tournament team if the offense develops.
Next major test: Louisville on Friday.

Kansas (3–2, +19.7 Proj | NetRtg: 120.1 | AdjD: 91.7)

Yes, Kansas already has that puzzling early-season loss—but the metrics still love them. Their defense is top-25 level, and the offense should stabilize. The Jayhawks’ rotation is still forming, which explains some inconsistency, but the underlying numbers remain strong.
Next major test: Notre Dame on Monday.

Oklahoma State (4–0, +14.6 Proj | NetRtg: 116.2 | AdjD: 92.6)

Oklahoma State is winning differently this year: they’re playing fast—really fast. A 75.4 pace makes them the quickest team in the Big 12, and the offense looks much improved. Their defense is top-50 as well. This profile screams “tournament team,” but their schedule ramps up soon.
Next major test: South Florida, though the December slate is tougher.

West Virginia (5–0, +13.9 Proj | NetRtg: 111.5 | AdjD: 97.6 | Conf SOS: 360)

The record says 5–0, but the numbers urge caution. WVU’s undefeated mark is buoyed by the weakest schedule in the Big 12, and its efficiency numbers lag behind the other unbeatens. The offense has been fine, but the defense needs to tighten up. Their next two games will tell us a lot.
Next major test: Clemson on Friday—finally a challenge.

Kansas State (4–0, +7.1 Proj | NetRtg: 116.0 | AdjD: 73.9)

Kansas State’s efficiency profile is one of the strangest in the league. They’re undefeated, yet their defensive rating (96th nationally) and overall efficiency suggest they’re closer to a bubble team than a contender. The Wildcats need a statement performance soon.
Next major test: Mississippi State on Friday.

UCF (4-1, +9.7 Proj | NetRtg: 108.6 | AdjD: 92.8)

UCF hasn’t played enough games to generate a clear profile, but the early signs are positive. They’re defending well and scoring just efficiently enough. Their next game—Pittsburgh—will be their first true test.
Next major test: Pittsburgh.

TCU (2–2, +9.7 Proj | NetRtg: 110.2 | AdjD: 100.7)

TCU is the definition of inconsistent. Their offense is powerful, but the defense has struggled badly against decent opponents. Their profile is screaming “high variance,” and their next stretch of games should tell us whether they’re a top-50 team or something closer to the bubble.
Next major test: Kansas City—should be a stabilizer.

Arizona State (3–1, +6.5 Proj | NetRtg: 112.2 | AdjD: 100.0)

ASU looks exactly like the team everyone expected: streaky, up-and-down, occasionally explosive, occasionally lost. Their efficiency ratings are mediocre on both ends, and nothing suggests they’re more than a bubble hopeful at this stage.

Next major test: Hawaii on Thursday.

Colorado (4–0, +9.4 Proj | NetRtg: 115.3 | AdjD: 95.3)

Colorado is one of the quiet risers in the Big 12 so far. Their +9.4 projection undersells how solid they’ve been: top-40 offense, top-60 defense, clean shot selection, and balanced rotation scoring. They’re not flashy, but they’re efficient.
Next major test: UC Davis on Friday.

Utah (5–0, +5.9 Proj | NetRtg: 109.2 | AdjD: 106.7)

Utah is undefeated, but the metrics aren’t buying stock yet. Their defense ranks in the triple digits, and their winning margins aren’t impressive relative to the competition. Still, they’re 5–0, and the shooting is at least trending upward.
Next major test: Cal Poly—won’t reveal much.

What the Big 12 Landscape Looks Like

The Big 12 ranks third nationally in conference efficiency, putting it on pace for another season of 8–10 bids. The top group is Final Four-caliber, the middle is tournament-caliber, and the bottom… isn’t really a bottom at all.

Conference play is still weeks away, but one thing already feels certain: this league is going to be a gauntlet again, and the analytics suggest that the separation between 3rd and 10th place will be razor thin.

Projected Big 12 Records (18-game slate)