- Houston
The Cougars were a turnover away from winning it all.
After a dominant season that included a 19-1 record in Big 12 play, Houston captured the conference tournament title and advanced to the national championship game, where it fell just short in a 65-63 loss to Florida.
Now, in his 12th season leading the program, head coach Kelvin Sampson looks to guide his team back to the national stage. The Cougars enter the 2025–26 season ranked No. 2 nationally, the highest of any Big 12 team.
Houston returns several key contributors, including senior guard Emanuel Sharp and senior guard Miles Uzan, both of who were among the team’s top scorers last year. Junior forward Joseph Tugler, the reigning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, also returns to anchor the defense.
The Cougars bring in one of the nation’s top recruiting classes and retain most of last season’s roster. Their most significant loss is guard L.J. Cryer, who graduated after averaging 15.7 points per game.
With four consecutive 30-win seasons, expectations remain sky-high for Houston as it eyes another deep tournament run.
2. Arizona
When November arrives in Tucson, one familiar phrase always seems to echo around town.
“I can’t wait for basketball season.”
While Arizona football is putting together a respectable year, the excitement surrounding the Wildcats’ men’s basketball program remains unmatched.
In their first season in the Big 12, the Wildcats finished third in the conference and advanced to the Big 12 Tournament championship game before falling to Houston. Arizona followed that with a run to the Sweet 16, where it lost to Duke.
This year, the Wildcats are aiming to reach heights they haven’t seen in decades. Despite being one of the nation’s most consistent programs over the past 40 years, Arizona hasn’t appeared in the Final Four since 2001 or the Elite Eight since 2015.
That could change with the arrival of freshman forward Koa Peat, one of the top recruits in the country. A dominant force at Gilbert Perry High School, Peat chose the Wildcats over several major programs, including in-state rival Arizona State.
Though Arizona lost star guard Caleb Love to the NBA, head coach Tommy Lloyd returns much of last season’s roster. With Peat’s addition and a veteran core intact, the Wildcats hope this is the year they make a serious push for a national championship.
3. BYU
BYU is ranked No. 8 in the country. And if there’s any confusion about which sport, it’s both football and men’s basketball.
Last season, the Cougars emerged as one of college basketball’s biggest surprises. After a rough 2-4 start to Big 12 play that included a blowout loss to No. 14 Houston and an overtime defeat to Utah, BYU turned things around in dramatic fashion.
The Cougars won 12 of their final 14 conference games to finish 14-6 and advanced to the semifinals of the Big 12 Tournament, where they once again fell to Houston 74-54.
In the NCAA Tournament, BYU defeated VCU 80-71 and Wisconsin 91-89 to advance to its first Sweet Sixteen since 2011. Although the Cougars’ run ended with a 113-88 loss to Alabama, it marked a major success for head coach Kevin Young in his debut season.
Now, BYU aims to build on that momentum. Ranked No. 8 in the preseason AP Poll, the Cougars search for another deep postseason run.
While the team lost several key contributors from last year, Young added multiple transfers and landed a strong recruiting class headlined by five-star freshman forward AJ Dybantsa from Utah Prep.
With renewed confidence and a top-10 ranking, expectations in Provo are higher than ever — and the Cougars hope this season ends even deeper in March.
4. Texas Tech
Although Texas Tech football has started to build a reputation as a consistent contender, the Red Raiders have established that status on the basketball court.
Last season, Texas Tech finished second in the Big 12 with a 24-7 overall record and a 15-5 mark in conference play. One of their most notable victories came in an 82-81 overtime thriller against No. 6 Houston — the Cougars’ final loss before the national championship game.
Despite a surprising 86-80 loss to Arizona in the Big 12 Tournament quarterfinals, Texas Tech rebounded with an impressive NCAA Tournament run, reaching the Elite Eight before falling to eventual national champion Florida.
This season, expectations are even higher. Sophomore guard Christian Anderson and junior forward JT Toppin were both named to the All-Big 12 Preseason First Team, with Toppin also earning preseason Big 12 Player of the Year honors. In addition, junior LeJuan Watts, a transfer from Washington State, was tabbed as the conference’s Co-Newcomer of the Year.
With star power, depth, and momentum on their side, the Red Raiders are looking to build on last year’s success.
5. Iowa State
Last season appeared to have the makings of a special year for Iowa State. While the Cyclones ultimately fell short of their loftiest goals, it was still a strong showing in one of the nation’s toughest conferences.
Iowa State climbed as high as No. 2 in the national rankings in January and finished the season 25-10 overall and 13-7 in Big 12 play. The Cyclones reached the conference tournament semifinals before falling to BYU, then earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, where Ole Miss eliminated them in the second round.
Like BYU, Iowa State lost several key contributors from last year’s roster but reloaded through the transfer portal and a solid recruiting class.
Ranked No. 16 in the preseason AP Poll, head coach T.J. Otzelberger’s squad aims to return to the NCAA Tournament — and this time, make a deeper run in March.
6. Kansas
By most programs’ standards, Kansas had a good season. Yet for the Jayhawks, it fell short of expectations.
Entering the 2024–25 campaign as the preseason No. 1 team, Kansas struggled to maintain that form as the year went on, eventually dropping out of the Top 25 by season’s end. The Jayhawks earned an NCAA Tournament berth but were eliminated in the first round by Arkansas, marking an uncharacteristically early exit for one of college basketball’s bluebloods.
Head coach Bill Self, now entering his 23rd season at the helm in Lawrence, Kansas, is determined to guide his team back to national prominence. Although the Jayhawks lost senior forward AJ Storr to the transfer portal, they added several veteran players through the portal to bolster their depth and experience.
The centerpiece of this year’s roster is freshman guard Darryn Peterson, a five-star recruit from Canton, Ohio, whose talent and versatility have Jayhawk fans optimistic for a bounce-back season in 2025–26.
7. Baylor
As the list of ranked teams winds down, Baylor finds itself leading the pack of unranked contenders entering the 2025–26 season.
The Bears are coming off a 20-15 campaign that included a 10-10 mark in conference play. They earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, where they defeated Mississippi State in the first round before falling to Duke in the second.
Baylor’s biggest offseason loss came when freshman guard V.J. Edgecombe declared for the NBA Draft and was selected third overall by the Philadelphia 76ers. His departure leaves a major scoring void, but head coach Scott Drew hopes the program’s next wave of talent can step up.
That next wave begins with freshman forward Tounde Yessonfou, a five-star recruit from Santa Maria, California, who headlines Baylor’s incoming class.
Four years removed from its national championship, Baylor aims to remain competitive in one of college basketball’s toughest conferences, and prove it can still hang with the Big 12’s elite.
8. Cincinnati
The Bearcats find themselves in a familiar position entering the new season — near the middle of the pack, looking to take the next step forward.
Last year, Cincinnati started strong with a 12-3 nonconference record and climbed as high as No. 14 in the national rankings before conference play brought challenges. The Bearcats finished 7-13 in conference play and were eliminated by Iowa State in the second round of the Big 12 Tournament.
Cincinnati received an invitation to the College Basketball Crown postseason tournament but once again bowed out in the second round, losing to conference rival UCF.
The offseason brought significant roster turnover. The Bearcats lost several players to the transfer portal and dismissed sophomore guard Jizzle James from the team in July.
However, head coach Chad Dollar, entering his fifth season at the helm, restocked the roster. He brought in five transfers and two promising four-star recruits: freshman guard Keyshaun Tillery and freshman forward Shon Abaev.
With a mix of new faces and returning contributors, Cincinnati hopes to regain its early-season form from a year ago and climb back into contention.
9. Kansas State
Kansas State hovered around the middle of the conference standings last season, and expectations are similar heading into the 2025–26 campaign.
The Wildcats finished 16-17 overall and 9-11 in conference play. They opened the Big 12 Tournament with a win over Arizona State before falling to Baylor in the next round.
The offseason brought both losses and new opportunities for head coach Jerome Tang, now entering his fourth season in Manhattan.
Kansas State lost senior forward Coleman Hawkins to graduation and junior guard Dug McDaniel in the portal to Memphis.
However, the Wildcats made a major addition of their own by landing former Memphis guard PJ Haggerty, the reigning AAC Player of the Year. Haggerty led the American Athletic Conference in scoring and poured in 42 points against Wichita State in last season’s conference quarterfinals.
Kansas State’s 2025 recruiting class includes freshman guard Exavier Wilson, a three-star prospect from Columbia, Missouri. In addition, international newcomers freshman guard Andrej Kostić and junior forward Elias Rapieque will be looking to get involved.
With a mix of experienced transfers and promising young talent, the Wildcats aim to climb back into the upper half of the Big 12 and return to postseason contention.
10. TCU
After hovering around the middle of the standings last season, TCU looks to take a step forward in 2025–26.
The Horned Frogs finished 16-16 overall and 9-11 in conference play. As the No. 9 seed in the Big 12 Tournament, they were upset by Colorado in the opening round and did not receive an at-large bid to any postseason tournament.
Head coach Jamie Dixon, entering his ninth season, faces a transitional year after several departures from last season’s roster. The most notable loss was graduate senior guard Frankie Collins, who transferred to Vanderbilt after serving as one of TCU’s top players.
The program adds a promising in-state recruit in freshman guard Kayden Edwards, a four-star prospect from the Fort Worth area. His role and development will be key as the Horned Frogs reshape their rotation.
With new faces and a desire to rebound from a .500 season, TCU aims to reestablish itself as a contender in a competitive Big 12 field.
11. West Virginia
West Virginia enters the 2025–26 season seeking stability and redemption after a promising start last year gave way to a frustrating finish.
The Mountaineers opened the 2024–25 campaign with a 13-4 record, highlighted by a 64-57 upset over No. 2 Iowa State. However, they stumbled down the stretch, finishing 6-8 over their final 14 games and ending with a 10-10 mark in Big 12 play.
Despite earning a first-round bye in the conference tournament, West Virginia was upset by No. 16 Colorado in the second round and did not receive a postseason invitation.
The offseason brought sweeping change. The Mountaineers lost 15 players from last year’s roster, including graduate guard Tucker DeVries, who transferred to Indiana to play for his father, former WVU head coach Darian DeVries.
Senior guard Javon Small also departed, ending up in the draft and being selected by the Memphis Grizzlies.
Taking over the program is Ross Hodge, one of two new head coaches in the Big 12 this season. Hodge spent the past two years at North Texas, where he led the Mean Green to back-to-back NIT appearances.
West Virginia replenished its roster with several transfer additions, including graduate guard Treysen Eaglestaff, who gained national attention last season with a 40-point performance against No. 6 Alabama.
The Mountaineers also bring in five recruits from the 2025 class, headlined by four-star prospects forward Jayden Forsythe and guard Amir Jenkins.
12. Oklahoma State
With the football season disappointing the Oklahoma State faithful the past two years, fans are turning their attention to men’s basketball in hopes of a rebound.
The Cowboys opened the 2024–25 campaign strong, going 8-3 in nonconference play, but struggled once Big 12 competition began. Oklahoma State finished 7-13 in conference action and was eliminated by Cincinnati in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament.
The Cowboys earned an NIT berth as a No. 4 seed and made a modest postseason run, defeating Wichita State 89-79 and top-seeded SMU 85-83 before falling to No. 2 North Texas 61-59 in the quarterfinals.
Head coach Steve Lutz, entering his second season in Stillwater, faces a retooled roster after several departures due to graduation and transfers. Among the newcomers is sophomore guard Vyctorius Miller, a transfer from LSU.
Oklahoma State’s 2025 recruiting class also brings in two highly regarded four-star prospects — freshman center Benjamin Ahmed and freshman guard Ryan Crotty.
With new faces and growing expectations, the Cowboys aim to take a step forward in Lutz’s second year and reestablish themselves as a competitive force in the Big 12.
13. Utah
Like many teams in the Big 12 last season, Utah found itself hovering around the middle of the pack, finishing with a 16-17 overall record and an 8-12 mark in conference play.
The Utes notched a few marquee victories, including a 74-67 upset over No. 17 Kansas and a 73-72 overtime win against in-state rival BYU. However, consistency proved elusive down the stretch.
Utah was eliminated by UCF in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament and fell 86-84 to Butler in the opening round of the College Basketball Crown postseason event.
Head coach Craig Smith was dismissed after four years at the helm, capped by a 76-72 loss to UCF. The program turned to the professional basketball realm, hiring Dallas Mavericks assistant coach Alex Jensen to lead the team into a new era.
Utah’s offseason featured significant roster turnover, with several players departing via the transfer portal and graduation. The Utes replenished their depth with a trio of transfers: sophomore forward Jahki Howard (Auburn), sophomore guard Elijah “Choppa” Moore (Syracuse), and junior forward Seydou Traore (Iowa).
Their lone addition from the 2025 recruiting class is freshman forward Kendyl Sanders, a three-star prospect from Florida.
With a new coach, a retooled roster, and hopes for a fresh start, the Utes aim to find stability and climb the Big 12 standings in Jensen’s first season at the helm.
14. UCF
UCF ended last season on a high note, but the Knights now face major uncertainty as they head into the 2025–26 campaign with nearly an entirely new roster.
The Knights struggled through Big 12 play with a 7-13 conference record but found their stride in the College Basketball Crown postseason tournament. UCF defeated Oregon State, Cincinnati, and Villanova to advance to the championship game before falling 77-66 to Nebraska.
Despite that strong finish, the offseason brought sweeping roster changes. Nearly the entire team has turned over, with junior center Elijah Hulsewe standing as the lone returning player from last year’s squad.
While head coach Johnny Dawkins added several transfers to rebuild the roster, the group remains largely unproven.
Entering his 10th season in Orlando, Dawkins faces one of his biggest challenges yet — molding a new lineup into a competitive Big 12 team. While expectations are tempered, UCF hopes to build on last season’s postseason momentum and lay the foundation for future success.
15. Colorado
Colorado endured a season last year that it would rather forget. After a promising 9-2 start, the Buffaloes unraveled in Big 12 play, losing 17 of their next 20 games and finishing near the bottom of the standings.
Despite the struggles, Colorado provided one of the Big 12 Tournament’s biggest surprises. As the No. 16 seed, the Buffaloes upset TCU and West Virginia in back-to-back rounds before falling to top-seeded Houston, 77-68, in a competitive quarterfinal matchup.
Colorado earned a bid to the College Basketball Crown but was eliminated in the first round with an 86-64 loss to Villanova.
Head coach Tad Boyle enters his 16th season in Boulder facing modest expectations. The Buffaloes lost several players from last year’s team, primarily through the transfer portal, and will rely heavily on a young roster featuring five three-star recruits from the Class of 2025.
Whether that incoming class can make an immediate impact remains to be seen, but Colorado hopes to find more consistency and competitiveness as it looks to climb back into the Big 12 mix.
16. Arizona State
While Arizona State has shown encouraging growth on the women’s basketball side, the men’s program enters the 2025–26 season surrounded by uncertainty.
The Sun Devils began last season with high hopes, boasting one of the nation’s top recruiting classes and starting 9-2 in nonconference play. However, injuries derailed their momentum, and ASU struggled mightily once conference play began.
The Sun Devils finished 4-16 in conference action, falling to Kansas State in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament and later to Nebraska in the opening round of the College Basketball Crown.
This offseason brought heavy roster turnover and questions about head coach Bobby Hurley’s future, as he enters what could be a make-or-break year in Tempe. Key contributors such as sophomore forward Jayden Quaintance, sophomore guard Joson Sanon, and senior guard Adam Miller all entered the transfer portal, leaving ASU with a largely rebuilt roster.
Among the newcomers is senior guard Moe Odum, a transfer from Pepperdine who is expected to play a major role in the backcourt. But beyond that, Arizona State’s lineup remains largely untested.
Expectations are low heading into the season, as the Sun Devils navigate a transitional year and look to lay the groundwork for rebuilding stability in a competitive Big 12 landscape.