Arizona leads early Big 12 men’s basketball rankings for 2026-27
The Big 12 enters the 2026-27 men’s college basketball season after placing eight teams in the NCAA Tournament and sending 13 players to the NBA Draft. Arizona tops the preseason power rankings following a Final Four run, while Houston remains a strong contender under Kelvin Sampson. The article also notes key roster returns, transfers, and freshmen across the conference.
The Big 12’s 16-team period has already produced a lively season: eight league programs reached the NCAA Tournament, and Arizona ended a 25-year Final Four drought. The conference also had 13 players selected in the NBA Draft, led by the first two picks, AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson.
Arizona sits first after going 36–3 and 16–2. Motiejus Krivas and Ivan Kharchenkov return, but Koa Peat, Tobe Awaka, Brayden Burries and Jaden Bradley depart. North Carolina transfer Derek Dixon and five-star Caleb Holt arrive, with Clemson transfer RJ Godfrey awaiting eligibility. Houston, Texas Tech and Kansas follow.
This early ranking may shape fan expectations and media attention around Big 12 basketball, potentially affecting ticket demand, travel, and local business activity near campuses. It could also influence how recruits, transfers, and current players view programs, though preseason projections often shift once games begin. Students, alumni, and casual viewers may engage more with teams like Arizona and Houston if the forecast holds.