Men's Basketball: Ranking the Big 12

World-Herald staff writer Lee Barfknecht ranks the Big 12 teams (with rankings from RealTimeRPI.com):

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1. KANSAS (29-2, 15-1, 1st)

The Jayhawks have won or shared the Big 12 title 10 times in the 14 years the league has operated. They also have three seconds and a fifth.

2. KANSAS STATE (24-6, 11-5, 6th)

The most recent K-State teams to win 11 league games were 1988 under Lon Kruger and 1977 under Jack Hartman.

3. BAYLOR (24-6, 11-5, 8th)

When a newcomer gives you 13.4 points, 9.8 rebounds and 4.1 blocks like Ekpe Udoh did, you start thinking it's your season.

4. TEXAS A&M (22-8, 11-5, 12th)

For the first time in the Big 12, the Aggies led in scoring defense in conference games with a 65.8 average.

5. MISSOURI (22-9, 10-6, 38th)

The Tigers, defending Big 12 tourney champions, are looking to improve their NCAA seeding with a couple of wins.

6. OKLAHOMA STATE (21-9, 9-7, 28th)

Hard to believe James Anderson will return for his senior season after being named Big 12 player of the year.

7. TEXAS (23-8, 9-7, 26th)

The Longhorns were No. 1 in the country and 17-0 in mid-January. Since then, they've gone 6-8 and were lucky to win one of those.

8. COLORADO (15-15, 6-10, 103rd)

With only one senior getting significant playing time and a 7-foot New Zealander being pursued, things look good for the Buffs.

9. IOWA STATE (15-16, 4-12, 113th)

Even with the upset of Kansas State, it looks like a fourth losing season in four years for coach Greg McDermott.

10, TEXAS TECH (16-14, 4-12, 71st)

Even the NIT is looking shaky for the Red Raiders after seven straight losses, and looking bad while doing it.

11. OKLAHOMA (13-17, 4-12, 109th)

Eight straight losses left the Sooners with their worst winning percentage in conference play since the 1969 team went 3-11.

12. NEBRASKA (14-17, 2-14, 155th)

The school record for losses in a season is 19. That's another reason to not even think about pursuing a spot in the CBI or CIT tournaments.

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