The SEC, Big Ten and ACC might have stronger overall teams from top to bottom, but the Big 12 just might have the two most talented players in the nation.
They are Kansas’ Darryn Peterson and BYU’s AJ Dybansta, who are seen by fansas the likely top two picks in the 2026 NBA Draft. They both make their teams strong contenders in the Big 12, and, perhaps, beyond. Oh, and we need to mention that Houston and Texas Tech are viewed by fans as legitimate national title contenders.
1. HOUSTON
Coach Kelvin Sampson’s Cougars are the heavy fan favorite to win their third straight Big 12 championship and a team that is frequently mentioned in conversations about a potential national title. Counting Big 12 Tournament games, Houston is 39-5 in conference play over the last two seasons. All-Big 12 guard Milos Uzan (11.4 points per game last season) will be joined in the backcourt by another returning double-digit scorer in Emanuel Sharp. Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year Joseph Tugler also returns and the Cougars added an elite recruit in freshman Chris Cenac Jr.
2. KANSAS
The Jayhawks used to dominate the Big 12, but that hasn’t been the case in the last few seasons. Kansas finished sixth in the conference in 2025 and fifth in 2024. Veteran coach Bill Self will by trying to get the Jayhawks back to the top of the pack and that task got a little easier when five-star freshman Darryn Peterson, a likely lottery pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, arrived on campus.
3. TEXAS TECH
Hopes among Texas Tech fans are extremely high and there are good reasons for that. Big 12 Player of the Year J.T. Toppin chose to skip the 2025 NBA Draft and stay at Texas Tech. Coach Grant McCasland has a history of getting his teams to overachieve and his 10th Texas Tech team might be his most talented.
4. ARIZONA
Arizona reached the Sweet 16 last season and fans are expecting at least that much for this season. Guard Jaden Bradley is the top returner after averaging 12.1 points and 3.7 assists last season. He’ll be joined by a pair of five-star freshman in Koa Peat and Brayden Burries.
5. BYU
BYU has potentially has the most talented roster in school history. At the very top of that roster is forward AJ Dybansta, a potential lotter pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Dybansta is the most talented player in BYU history (sorry, Danny Ainge) and his supporting cast got a lot stronger with the arrival of transfer guard Rob Wright, who averaged 11.5 points and 4.2 assists at Baylor last season.
6. BAYLOR
Scott Drew’s team is basically starting over. Baylor doesn’t have a returning player that even scored a single point last season. But the rebuilding process will be made easier because the Bears brought in an elite recruit in guard Tounde Yessofou. He may not be around long because he’s projected as an early pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. But what very well may be his one season at Baylor is expected to be a big one.
7. CINCINNATI
Coach Wes Miller dismissed last season’s leading scorer Jizzle James from the team in August. That leaves Day Day Thomas as the top returner. The Bearcats, who have come up short of an NCAA Tournament berth each of the last four seasons, should be helped greatly by a pair of top transfers — Kerry Kriisa (Kentucky) and Jalen Celestine (Baylor)
8. IOWA STATE
Coach TJ Otzelberger has led the Cyclones to the NCAA Tournament every season since taking over in 2021. With the return of Milan Momcilovic, Tamin Lipsey and Joshua Jefferson, fans are expecting that streak to continue.
9. KANSAS STATE
Jerome Tang used the transfer portal as well as any coach in the nation in an attempt to get his team back to the NCAA Tournament after not getting bids the last two seasons. P.J. Haggerty is the gem of the incoming transfers. At Memphis last season, Haggerty averaged 21.7 points and 5.8 rebounds. while earning AAC Player of the Year honors. Another transfer, Nate Johnson was the conference Player of the Year in the MAC after averaging 14 points and 4.9 assists for Akron last season.
10. TCU
After falling short of the NCAA Tournament last season, coach Jamie Dixon reached deep into the transfer portal and pulled off what looks to be a quick rebuild. His top two transfers are guard Jayden Pierre, who averaged 12.3 points for Providence last year, and guard Brock Harding, a three-point specialist who played at Iowa last season.
11. OKLAHOMA STATE
The Cowboys hit the transfer portal hard and brought in seven players that spent last season at different schools. The top transfer is guard Anthony Roy, who was leading the nation in scoring for Green Bay last year before an injury cut his season short. Oklahoma State also added Christian Coleman, who averaged 11.6 points for UAB last season.
12. WEST VIRGINIA
With Russ Hodge now onboard, West Virginia has its fourth coach in four years. Hodge has quickly rebuilt his roster by adding transfers Honor Huff, who averaged 15.2 points at Chattanooga last season and forward Treysen Eaglestaff, who averaged 18.9 points for North Dakota last season.
13. ARIZONA STATE
After going 4-16 in conference play last season, coach Bobby Hurley turned to the transfer portal to overhaul his roster. His top transfer is guard Moe Odsom, who averaged 13.1 points and 7.5 assists for Pepperdine last season. CSUN transfer Marcus Adams Jr. also is expected to be a top scorer immediately.
14. UTAH
New coach Alex Jensen could face a challenging first season. A once-promising class of transfers took a major hit when forward Babacar Faye, who averaged 15.2 points and 7.8 rebounds at Western Kentucky last season, suffered a leg injury during preseason workouts. Faye will miss the entire season.
15. COLORADO
Fan expectations in Boulder aren’t very high. But the Buffaloes look capable of pulling off some upsets in conference play. That’s mainly because Colorado brings back three key returners — Bangot Dak, Elijah Malone and Sebastian Rancik.
16. UCF
Milwaukee transfers Themus Folks and Jamichael Stillwell combined to average 27.6 points and 13.7 rebounds while leading the Panthers to a second-place finish in the Horizon League last season. UCF coach needs them to step up quickly as they adjust to playing in a stronger conference this season.
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