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Houston’s Ja’Vier Francis (5) celebrates during an NCAA college basketball game against Central Florida on Jan. 20, 2024. No. 4 Houston plays at No. 21 BYU Tuesday night. | David J. Phillip, Associated Press
Editor’s note: Each week during the remainder of the 2023-24 men’s college basketball season, the Deseret News will release power rankings that take a look at the 16 teams that will make up the Big 12 Conference beginning with the 2024 season.
The rankings do not include Texas and Oklahoma — as those schools are leaving for the SEC next year — but do include Utah, Arizona, Arizona State and Colorado, the four Pac-12 teams joining the league next season.
Hello, Houston. What happened, Kansas?
Oh, and keep it up, Kansas State and Arizona.
The third week of January provided another round of parity and entertaining matchups for the schools that will be members of the Big 12 next season.
That entertainment extended to the Utah schools — BYU went 1-1 against a pair of top-25 teams, while Utah earned a sweep, including finally knocking off nemesis Oregon.
Here’s the latest power rankings for the 16 teams who will make up the Big 12 next season, following the third week of January.
1. Houston Cougars (16-2, 3-2 Big 12)
Poll movement: Climbed four spots.
Last week: Beat then-No. 25 Texas Tech, 77-54; beat UCF, 57-42.
This week: Tuesday at No. 21 BYU; Saturday vs. Kansas State.
The Cougars got back on track with a couple of blowout victories, including an impressive — even by their standards — defensive showing against UCF where the Knights shot just 15.9% from the floor.
2. Kansas Jayhawks (16-3, 4-2 Big 12)
Poll movement: Dropped one spot.
Last week: Beat Oklahoma State, 90-66; lost to West Virginia, 91-85.
This week: Beat Cincinnati, 74-69; Saturday at No. 23 Iowa State.
The Jayhawks had another surprising loss, falling…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/future-big-12-basketball-power-213000695.html
Author : Deseret News
Publish date : 2024-01-23 21:30:00
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