The Players Era Championship is here to stay.
The Big 12 made sure of that with its $50 million equity partnership that was recently announced, guaranteeing eight conference teams in the expanded 32-team field moving forward.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThat’s huge, especially with each Big 12 team promised $1 million for name, image and likeness purposes.
But the format needs to change.
This season’s event in Las Vegas was a mess. Iowa State won games over St. John’s and Creighton but did not receive a spot in the money-making games.
No NIL money thanks to a convoluted system? That’s not right.
Fortunately, it appears the format will be four eight-team pods with the winners of each facing off.
For now, the Cyclones will have to live with the fact that they proved they are a Big 12 title contender, maybe more. They’re one of the biggest movers in this week’s Big 12 power rankings, which reflect a shining Feast Week for the conference.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMore: Register's coverage of Iowa State basketball at Players Era Festival
1. Arizona
Last week: 1
This week: vs. Auburn (Saturday)
What to know: If there’s any concern about the Wildcats’ red-hot November, it’s that starting wing Ivan Kharchenkov suffered an ankle injury in Saturday’s win over Norfolk State. But that’s knit-picking. Arizona looks like a national title contender so far.
2. Houston
Last week: 2
This week: vs. Florida State at Houston Hoops Showdown (Saturday); vs. Jackson State (Dec. 10)
What to know: Kelvin Sampson would rather his team play its worst in November. Going 2-1 in the Players Era with a close loss to Tennessee while relying on several freshmen is not too shabby, though. The Cougars will be dominant soon enough.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement3. Iowa State
Last week: 5
This week: vs. Alcorn State (Wednesday); at Purdue (Saturday); vs. Iowa (Dec. 11)
What to know: The Cyclones had every right to be upset about not playing for NIL money in the Players Era championship. They look elite, even if leader Tamin Lipsey suffered a groin injury.
4. BYU
Last week: 3
This week: vs. California Baptist in Salt Lake City (Wednesday); vs. Clemson at Jimmy V Classic in New York City (Jan. 9)
What to know: The Cougars won the ESPN Events Invitational, but should they be concerned about depth? Not a single bench player scored vs. Dayton, a day after veteran Dawson Baker suffered a serious lower body injury.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement5. Kansas
Last week: 6
This week: vs. UConn (Tuesday); vs. Missouri in Kansas City (Dec. 7)
What to know: The Jayhawks took third in the Players Era Championship without freshman phenom Darryn Peterson. That’s just how coach Bill Self drew it up, right?
6. Texas Tech
Last week: 4
This week: vs. LSU at USLBM Coast to Coast Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas (Dec. 7)
What to know: The Red Raiders were smacked by Purdue, a good wake-up call for a talented roster built around transfers still working to find their footing. Oh, and JT Toppin. That guy is still really good.
7. Baylor
Last week: 8
This week: vs. Sacramento State (Tuesday); at Memphis (Saturday); vs. Norfolk State (Dec. 10)
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWhat to know: The Bears went 2-1 in the Players Era despite playing a rotation of seven players. Now, imagine what they could do if they were fully healthy.
8. Oklahoma State
Last week: 9
This week: vs. Sam Houston (Tuesday); vs. Grand Canyon at Jerry Colangelo Classic in Phoenix (Saturday)
What to know: Second-year coach Steve Lutz promised a fun brand of basketball when he arrived. So far, so good. The Cowboys play fast and they score in bunches. They are the first team in program history to score 85 or more points in their first seven games.
More: Oklahoma State basketball holds off Northwestern as Anthony Roy’s hot streak continues
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement9. TCU
Last week: 13
This week: vs. Notre Dame (Friday); vs. North Texas at USLBM Coast to Coast Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas (Dec. 7)
What to know: The Horned Frogs won the Rady Children’s Invitational after taking down defending national champion Florida and Wisconsin, two wins that might have saved the Horned Frogs’ season. And that’s not hyperbole.
10. Kansas State
Last week: 10
This week: vs. Bowling Green (Monday); vs. Seton Hall (Saturday); vs. Mississippi Valley State (Dec. 8)
What to know: Star PJ Haggerty had his first rough night of the season. Unfortunately for the Wildcats, it came at Indiana. They clearly go how he goes.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement11. Cincinnati
Last week: 7
This week: vs. Tarleton State (Monday); at Xavier (Friday)
What to know: The Bearcats lost to Eastern Michigan, a team ranked closer to No. 200 than No. 150 on KenPom.com’s rankings. Just a bad, bad loss.
12. Colorado
Last week: 15
This week: vs. California Baptist (Monday); at Colorado State (Saturday)
What to know: There are four undefeated teams in the Big 12. If you put odds on one being Colorado at this point, you might consider playing the lottery. The Buffs are young and fun. It also helps that UC Riverside transfer Barrington Hargress has emerged in a big way.
13. UCF
Last week: 14
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThis week: vs. Towson (Dec. 7)
What to know: Jamichael Stillwell is at his fourth college after nearly quitting high school. Give him props. He’s already UCF’s best player and story. He’s also fifth in the league with 8.1 rebounds per game.
14. West Virginia
Last week: 11
This week: vs. Coppin State (Wednesday); at Wake Forest (Saturday); vs. Arkansas-Little Rock (Dec. 9)
What to know: The Charleston Classic was a disaster, particularly blowing a late double-digit lead to Clemson. It’s the kind of week in the season that can derail a season and NCAA Tournament bid early.
15. Arizona State
Last week: 12
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThis week: vs. Oklahoma at Jerry Colangelo Classic in Phoenix (Saturday); vs. Northern Arizona (Dec. 9)
What to know: Maurice Odum is off to a fantastic start for the Sun Devils. He is sixth in the Big 12 with 12.1 points per game and fifth with 3.4 3-pointers per game.
16. Utah
Last week: 16
This week: at Cal (Tuesday); vs. California Baptist (Saturday)
What to know: The Utes were mostly uninspiring until a massive upset over Ole Miss. Consider this: They were No. 137 on KenPom and Ole Miss was No. 35. It’s the kind of win that shows there is hope under new coach Alex Jensen.
Jacob Unruh is the deputy sports editor for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Jacob? He can be reached at [email protected] or on X/Twitter at @jacobunruh. Support Jacob's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Big 12 basketball power rankings: Iowa State proves it's a contender
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