Big 12 Basketball Roundup: Kansas surges, while several teams slump

After several monumental matchups, the Big 12 Conference men’s basketball picture is beginning to come into full view in the early stretches of February.

Despite some upsets, the conference still leads the nation with the most ranked teams in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, with a newcomer even attempting to claw its way into the top 25. Welcome back to the Big 12 basketball round-up, where I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the conference’s action every week leading up to the big dance.

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Best team: No. 1 Arizona (22-0)

Jan 31, 2026; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Koa Peat (10) celebrates against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the second half at Desert Financial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Arizona played only one game last week, but its manhandling of rival Arizona State keeps it undefeated and at the top of every poll in the nation. While the star of the season has been true freshman guard Brayden Burries, it was their big man Koa Peat, who stole the show against the Sun Devils, racking up 21 points on 9-16 shooting.

The Wildcats’ rotation is as deep as any in the nation, allowing them to attack opponents in so many different ways. Every starter scored double figures against Arizona State, and Tobe Awaka came off the bench to nab 13 rebounds, a team high, which included six offensive. Arizona enters its most challenging stretch of the season yet in two weeks, facing four ranked teams in a row, but first, it’ll have to clear Oklahoma State on Feb. 7.

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Hottest team: No. 11 Kansas (16-5)

Kansas’ Darryn Peterson hits the game-winning 3-pointer against Texas Tech during a Big 12 Conference men’s basketball game, Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, in United Supermarkets Arena.

Led by projected No. 1 overall pick, the Kansas Jayhawks got off to a slow start in conference play, dropping a game to West Virginia and struggling against TCU and Colorado. However, that stretch appears to be behind Darryn Peterson and…

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Publish date : 2026-02-04 18:53:00

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