Big 12 Power Shift: Surprising New Rankings Shake Up USA TODAY Sports Preseason Bracketology

As the college basketball scene kicks into high gear, the latest USA Today Sports bracketology unveils a striking forecast: eight Big 12 teams are primed to punch their tickets to the NCAA Tournament. That’s right, the conference that’s been grinding quietly is now poised to flex hard on the national stage, with Houston standing tall as a top-tier 1-seed after their near-miss in the national championship last season. There’s a buzz in the air — the Big 12 isn’t just participating; it’s commanding respect, aiming to overshadow other power conferences and stake a claim as basketball’s premier battlefield. From seasoned powerhouses to fresh talent rising through the ranks, this bracketology paints an intriguing narrative — one that’s as much about grit and strategy as it is raw talent and ambition. Curious to see which teams are ready to shine under the spotlight? Dive in and explore this bracket landscape that promises drama, upsets, and maybe a Cinderella story or two. LEARN MORE

USA Today Sports’ initial Bracketology projects eight Big 12 teams will make the NCAA Tournament.
Houston is projected as a 1-seed after finishing as the national runner-up last season.

In USA Today Sports’ first official bracketology, many Big 12 teams made the 68-team cut, as the experts pegged eight Big 12 schools to make March Madness. With the college basketball season now upon us, the Big 12 will look to assert its dominance as the best conference in the country, as, unlike in football, the conference seems increasingly likely to cannibalize itself ahead of the College Football Playoff.

Here are the teams and their rankings from USA Today ahead of the season start.

PJ Haggerty during a Kansas State basketball exhibition against Newman on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025, at Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan, Kansas.

Analysts projected Kansas State as an 11-seed set to face Marquette in a play-in game. With one of the nation’s strongest transfer portal classes, the Wildcats are poised to make noise this season and hope to carry that momentum into a deep run in March.

Feb 8, 2025; Waco, Texas, USA; Baylor Bears guard Jayden Nunn (2) scores a layup ahead of UCF Knights guard Jordan Ivy-Curry (0) during the second half at Paul and Alejandra Foster Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images

Drew Scott remains a terrific coach, but the Baylor Bears head into 2025 without a single returning player from 2024. This offseason, they brought one of the nation’s top freshmen, Tounde Yessoufou, to Waco and are counting on him to help lead the program to yet another NCAA Tournament appearance.

Kansas Jayhawks (5-seed)

Nov 3, 2025; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson (22) reacts during the first half against the Green Bay Phoenix at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Darryn Peterson, a projected top-five pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, will be must-see TV for Kansas this season. Bill Self and the Jayhawks aim to climb back into the Big 12’s top three after a rare sixth-place finish last year.

Iowa State (4-seed)

Iowa State Cyclones men's basketball head coach T.J. Otzelberger calls a play against FDU during the first half of the season-opener on Nov. 3, 2025, at Hilton Coliseum in Ames.

The Cyclones are a gritty, relentless team that no one wants to face on their home court. Under head coach T.J. Otzelberger, they’ve yet to miss the NCAA Tournament, and they’ll look to keep that streak going this season.

Arizona (4-seed)

Arizona Wildcats guard Jaden Bradley (0) celebrates with Arizona Wildcats guard Caleb Love (1) during the first half against the Utah Utes at McKale Center in Tucson on Feb. 26, 2025.

Arizona reached the Sweet 16 last season and may have improved even more over the offseason. While the Wildcats lost some key pieces, they reloaded with one of the nation’s top recruiting classes, featuring multiple five-star freshmen eager to make an immediate impact.

Texas Tech (3-seed)

Texas Tech forward JT Toppin (15) controls the ball against Drake guard Tavion Banks (6) during their 2025 NCAA men's tournament game at Intrust Bank Arena.

The Red Raiders return JT Toppin, the reigning Big 12 Player of the Year, to lead the way this season. When Texas Tech hits its stride, it’s among the best teams in the country, and head coach Grant McCasland has a knack for exceeding expectations.

BYU (2-seed)

BYU Cougars freshman forward AJ Dybantsa speaks to media during Big 12 Men’s Basketball media day at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.

BYU invested heavily this offseason to bring elite talent to Provo, and on paper, this team looks dangerous. Five-star freshman AJ Dybantsa, one of the most coveted recruits in the country, headlines the class, while Baylor transfer guard Rob Wright adds experience and scoring. The Cougars are built to turn heads when March arrives.

Houston (1-seed)

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - MARCH 15: Head coach Kelvin Sampson of the Houston Cougars reacts from the bench during the championship game of the Big 12 men's basketball tournament against the Arizona Wildcats at T-Mobile Center on March 15, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 776262698 ORIG FILE ID: 2205302082

Kelvin Sampson continues to make his case as one of the best coaches in college basketball, and his Cougars came up just short last season, falling to Florida in the national championship game. Houston brings back plenty of talent and adds a five-star freshman to an already loaded roster. Expect the Cougars to be right back in the mix, no surprise there.

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