Nonconference play just wrapped up in the Big 12 Conference, and the Big 12 continues to make its case as the best conference in college basketball.
In the latest AP Poll, once again, the Big 12 had a nation-high six teams represented in it, with those teams being Kansas at second, Houston at third, Oklahoma at 11th, BYU at 12th, Baylor at 18th, and Texas at 20th. The Big 12 also has Iowa State receiving votes.
As of games through Jan. 3, the Big 12 has one of the three undefeated teams remaining in college basketball in No. 3 Houston. With every team having played at least 12 games, 10 of the 14 Big 12 teams have two or fewer losses.
West Virginia remains the only Big 12 team without a winning record as conference play ensues.
Let’s take a look at each Big 12 team and how they fared in games from Dec. 28 through Jan. 3. This list is sorted alphabetically.
No. 18 Baylor (11-2)
Baylor closed out nonconference play with a 98-79 home win against Cornell on Tuesday, Jan. 2. This was their first game at their new arena, the Foster Pavilion.
Baylor opens conference play with a road game against Oklahoma on Saturday, Jan. 6, then will have a home game against BYU on Tuesday, Jan. 9.
No. 12 BYU (12-1)
BYU closed out nonconference play with a 94-68 home win against Wyoming on Saturday, Dec. 30.
BYU opens conference play with a home game against Cincinnati on Saturday, Jan. 6, then will have a road game against No. 18 Baylor on Tuesday, Jan. 9.
Cincinnati (11-2)
Cincinnati closed out nonconference play with a 76-58 win over Evansville on Friday, Dec. 29. They trailed 40-32 at halftime but had a strong second half to eventually win by 18 points.
Cincinnati opens conference play with a road game against No. 12 BYU on Saturday, Jan. 6, then will have a home game against No. 20 Texas on Tuesday, Jan. 9.
No. 3 Houston (13-0)
Houston closed out nonconference play with an 81-42 win over Penn on Saturday, Dec. 30. Houston leads the nation in scoring defense, and they held an opponent to under 45 points for the fifth time this season.
Houston opens conference play with a home game against West Virginia on Saturday, Jan. 6, then will have a road game against Iowa State on Tuesday, Jan. 9.
Iowa State (11-2)
Iowa State closed out nonconference play with an 85-70 home win against New Hampshire on Sunday, Dec. 31. Iowa State is fifth in the nation in scoring defense, and this was only the fourth time this season in which they have allowed 70 or more points.
Iowa State opens conference play with a road game against No. 11 Oklahoma on Saturday, Jan. 6, then will have a home game against No. 3 Houston on Tuesday, Jan. 9.
No. 2 Kansas (12-1)
Kansas closed out nonconference play with an 86-67 neutral site win over Wichita State on Saturday, Dec. 30.
Kansas opens conference play with a home game against TCU on Saturday, Jan. 6, then will have a road game against UCF on Wednesday, Jan. 10.
Kansas State (10-3)
Kansas State closed out nonconference play with a 62-55 home win over Chicago State on Tuesday, Jan. 2. Kansas State trailed at halftime 30-27 but had a strong second half to win the game.
Kansas State opens conference play with a home game against UCF on Saturday, Jan. 6, then will have a road game against West Virginia on Tuesday, Jan. 9.
No. 11 Oklahoma (12-1)
Oklahoma closed out nonconference play with a 72-56 home win over Monmouth on Sunday, Dec. 31. Four starters had at least 10 points for the Sooners and only nine points came off the bench.
Oklahoma opens conference play with a home game against Iowa State on Saturday, January 6, then will have a road game against TCU on Wednesday, Jan. 10.
Oklahoma State (8-5)
Oklahoma State closed out nonconference play with a 72-53 home win over Chicago State on Wednesday, Jan. 3. This is their fifth straight win after starting out the season 3-5.
Oklahoma State opens conference play with a home game against No. 18 Baylor on Saturday, Jan. 6, then will have a road game against Texas Tech on Tuesday, Jan. 9.
TCU (11-2)
TCU closed out nonconference play with a 77-42 home win against Texas A&M-Commerce on Monday, Jan. 1. Their 42 points allowed were their fewest on the season.
TCU opens conference play with a road game against No. 2 Kansas on Saturday, Jan. 6, then will have a home game against No. 11 Oklahoma on Wednesday, Jan. 10.
No. 20 Texas (11-2)
Texas closed out nonconference play with home wins against UNC Greensboro 72-37 and then UT Arlington 79-62. Their 37 points allowed against UNC Greensboro were their fewest points allowed in a game this season.
Texas opens conference play with a home game against Texas Tech on Saturday, Jan. 6, then will have a road game against Cincinnati on Tuesday, Jan. 9.
Texas Tech (11-2)
Texas Tech closed out nonconference play with home wins against Sam Houston 96-60 and North Alabama 85-57. Texas Tech has scored at least 76 points in each of their last seven contests.
Texas Tech opens conference play with a road game against No. 20 Texas on Saturday, January 6, then will have a home game against Oklahoma State on Tuesday, January 9.
UCF (9-3)
UCF closed out nonconference play with a 98-54 home win against Bethune-Cookman on Friday, December 29. Their 98 points scored were their most in a game this season.
UCF opens conference play with a road game against Kansas State on Saturday, Jan. 6, then will have a home game against No. 2 Kansas on Wednesday, Jan. 10.
West Virginia (5-8)
West Virginia closed out nonconference play with a 78-75 overtime loss to Ohio State in the Legends of Basketball Showcase in Cleveland on Saturday, Dec. 30.
West Virginia opens conference play with a road game against No. 3 Houston on Saturday, Jan. 6, then will have a home game against Kansas State on Tuesday, Jan. 9. Tipoff for the Houston game is set for 2 p.m. EST, while the Kansas State game is set for a 7 p.m. EST tipoff.
