The Big 12 lost two premier programs when Oklahoma and Texas left for the SEC.
But with one week of the 2024-25 women’s college basketball season in the books, the conference is off to a good start. The 16 Big 12 teams boast a combined 38-5 record, and four of them are ranked.
Let’s get into this week’s power rankings:
More: USA Today Sports Network preseason All-Big 12 women’s basketball, awards for 2024-25
Last week: 2
This week: vs. St. Thomas-Minnesota (Thursday); at Northern Illinois (Nov. 20)
No. 8-ranked Iowa State has won its games by an average of 30 points, and it boasts one of the best young duos in the country. Sophomores Addy Brown and Audi Crooks have combined for averages of 34 points and 17.4 rebounds.
Last week: 1
This week: vs. Creighton (Thursday); vs. Little Rock (Monday); vs. Milwaukee (Nov. 20)
No. 11 Kansas State had no problem in its first two games against Green Bay and Belmont. And while Ayoka Lee missed the Belmont game due to injury, the hope is that she’ll be back in time for a home game against Creighton on Thursday.
Last week: 4
This week: vs. Texas A&M (Friday); vs. Bowling Green (Tuesday)
Defense was expected to be a strength of No. 13 West Virginia, but how about the offense? The Mountaineers are averaging 92.3 points this season, and Jordan Harrison is leading the way with an average of 19.3 points.
Last week: 5
This week: vs. North Carolina State (Sunday)
TCU broke triple digits in its 107-52 home win over New Orleans. Few Big Threes in the country are as strong as that of Sedona Prince, Madison Conner and Hailey Van Lith.
More: USA TODAY Sports Network Preseason All-Big 12 basketball team, coach and player of the year
Last week: 3
This week: vs. East Texas A&M (Thursday); vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (Sunday)
No. 17 Baylor suffered a 76-74 road loss to Oregon, which had lost 14 straight games against ranked opponents. It’s not a great start for the Bears, but this is still a dangerous group with Darianna Littlepage-Buggs and Jada Walker in the mix.
Last week: 7
This week: at Northwestern (Thursday); vs. McNeese State (Monday)
Utah has dominated on both ends of the floor so far, averaging 95.5 points per game and allowing an average of just 49. A ton of credit has to go to Gianna Kneepkens, who looks sharp after she missed most of last season due to a broken foot.
Last week: 9
This week: at Chicago State (Saturday); at Northern Arizona (Wednesday)
Arizona lost five of its top six scorers this offseason, but returning forward Breya Cunningham has stepped up. The sophomore is stuffing the stat sheet with averages of 13.3 points, nine rebounds, two blocks and 1.8 steals.
Last week: 11
This week: vs. Fairfield (Saturday); vs. Central Arkansas (Wednesday)
Oklahoma State is shooting an impressive 40.5% on 3-pointers, and Anna Gret Asi is leading the way. The senior guard is averaging 18.3 points on 42.3% shooting from deep.
More: Oklahoma State women’s basketball schedule: Dates, times, TV channels for 2024-25 season
Last week: 8
This week: vs. Omaha (Thursday); vs. North Alabama (Sunday); vs. Iowa (Wednesday)
Kansas beat Lindenwood and Sam Houston by an underwhelming average of 14 points. S’Mya Nichols is scoring with great efficiency, but the rest of the offense still needs to come along.
Last week: 10
This week: vs. Washington State (Saturday); vs. Abilene Christian (Tuesday)
Texas Tech got a slight scare in its 75-68 home win over New Mexico. But the Lady Raiders are still undefeated thanks in large part to Jasmine Shavers, who’s averaging 16 points.
Last week: 14
This week: at Idaho State (Saturday); vs. McNeese State (Tuesday)
The biggest question entering this season was how BYU would replace the scoring production of All-Big 12 first-team forward Lauren Gustin. The answer so far has been true freshman guard Delaney Gibb, who’s 19.3 points for the Cougars.
Last week: 6
This week: vs. Southern (Sunday); vs. Utah State (Tuesday); at Utah Tech (Wednesday)
Colorado stumbled in its 50-47 road loss to Boise State. But it can bounce back against its next three opponents, who have a combined record of 1-8.
More: Why Oklahoma State coach Jacie Hoyt says Jadyn Wooten among ‘best freshmen’ in country
Last week: 13
This week: vs. Stetson (Saturday); vs. North Florida (Tuesday)
Kaitlin Peterson seems to have found a scoring partner in true freshman guard Emely Rodriguez (15.5 points per game), and Hannah Gusters is providing a presence on the glass. Those are both great signs for UCF.
Last week: 15
This week: vs. Seton Hall (Monday)
After earning an All-Big 12 honorable mention last season, Jillian Hayes has taken her game to another level. Cincinnati got off to a 3-0 start thanks in large part to the fifth-year forward, who’s averaging 20.3 points and 9.7 rebounds.
Last week: 12
This week: vs. Grand Canyon (Thursday); vs. SMU (Saturday); vs. Oregon State (Sunday)
Arizona State suffered a disappointing 100-96 home loss to Arkansas State. Scoring isn’t a problem for the Sun Devils with Tyi Skinner (23 points per game) back in the mix, but the defense needs to tighten up.
Last week: 16
This week: at Rice (Thursday); vs. Houston Christian (Sunday)
Houston entered Thursday as the only winless team in the Big 12. Still, transfer guards such as Maryland’s Gigi Cooke, Louisville’s Eylia Love and Troy’s Leilani Augmon look promising.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Big 12 women’s basketball power rankings: Baylor drops after upset loss
