Arizona (8-1, 14-6)

Tommy Lloyd has the Wildcats at 8-1 in the Big 12 and undefeated at home.

With multiple weapons on offense and key contributors coming off the bench, Arizona continues to get better. But it’s a long season.

Facing Arizona State and BYU on the road this week, there’s no guarantee the Cats go 2-0. Beating ASU in Tempe is never easy and beating the Cougars in Provo might be even harder.

The team lacks consistency and Lloyd’s personnel decisions are questionable at times. Arizona is far from a finished product. The next two games are critical.

BYU (5-4, 14-6)

The Cougars are above .500 in the Big 12 and in position for an at-large bid. The home wins against Baylor and Cincinnati were significant. Perceptions are everything and BYU’s victories helped bolster its resume.

Now, the expectations are raised. UCF is a quality team and beating the Knights in Orlando would be well-received.

Beating Arizona in Provo on Tuesday would have the same effect, too, even if the Cougars lose to UCF.

But if BYU goes winless over its next two games, the perceptions would be reset.

Utah (4-5, 12-8)

It’s one thing to lose to Baylor at home. It’s an entirely different story to get blown out. The margin of defeat to the Bears was disappointing to say the least.

The defeat illuminates where Utah really stands in the new Big 12.

Credit Craig Smith and his staff for rallying the team to beat Cincinnati a few days later. But the Utes really should have gone 2-0 at home this past week.

This Saturday’s matchup at Oklahoma State presents a redemption opportunity. If Utah can go into Stillwater and leave with a win, it will gain respect.

Arizona State (3-6, 12-8)

The Sun Devils remain on the Bubble midway through the Conference season.

Joe Lunardi might be a mouthpiece for the SEC, but his latest bracketology has just seven teams from the Big 12 receiving bids to the NCAA Tournament.

Arizona State is currently 11th in the Big 12 standings, although Lunardi has ASU in his “Next Four Out” category. The program has a respectable brand that the Committee seems to reward on a consistent basis.

If the Sun Devils continue to beat the teams they are supposed to and secure a key upset, they could find themselves in the Play-In game once again.

(Colorado 0-9, 9-11)

Looking at Colorado’s schedule, its next winnable game might be a March 2nd matchup at Kansas State. That’s a long way out for a struggling Buffaloes team.

They came close against Arizona State on Tuesday. But moral victories are meaningless when you are winless in conference play. Still, upsets happen and if TCU is overlooking Tad Boyle’s group they might get the job done on Saturday.

If anything, CU’s nonconference wins over UConn and Colorado State show how difficult it is to win in the Big 12. If the Buffs can beat those teams but can’t win a single game in the Conference.

What does that say about the strength of the league?

Kansas (6-3, 15-5)

The Jayhawks may have a grip on certain members of the national media. But it’s clear that this team is not it.

Kansas collapsed at the end of the game against Houston and has two home losses in the early part of the Big 12 season. But KU is still projected as a 3-seed? No, anyone pushing that narrative has an agenda that likely comes down to financial interests.

There’s a reason why ESPN pushes certain brands. Forget the actual quality on the court this season.

As long as it says “Kansas” on the front of the jersey, that’s all that matters.

Iowa State (7-2, 17-3)

Iowa State plays elite defense. There isn’t another team in the Big 12 outside of maybe Houston that can match what the Cyclones bring on that side of the ball.

And while that’s usually a recipe for wins, the offensive component is somewhat lacking. The Clones are dealing with an injury to a starting wing, but the production on offense primarily comes down to two players.

The lack of contributors off the bench is a problem that could bite in March. Especially when ISU faces an opposing defense that is close to their level.

Texas Tech (7-2, 16-4)

Ihe Red Raiders remain in the hunt for a Top 4 finish in the regular season standings. Finishing in that range would provide them with a critical bye to the Quarterfinals of the Big 12 Tournament.

Winning in this league is difficult and winning on the road is almost impossible. But playing on a neutral court is the ultimate equalizer.

Texas Tech could thrive in Kansas City and significantly boost its projected seed with a strong showing in the Tournament.

Until then, it will probably continue to prove that it’s one of the top teams in the Big 12.

Houston (9-0, 17-3)

Houston is 17-3 overall and has opened Big 12 play with nine-straight wins.

Clearly in contention for a 1-seed, the Cougars are the league’s best hopes for a National Championship this season. Kelvin Sampson’s team is elite.

The Cougars have the No. 1 defense and the No. 8 offense, per KenPom. Those metrics make UH a legitimate contender for the Title.

And until someone in the Big 12 knocks them off, it’s hard to see when Houston’s domination of the Conference will end.