The Big 12 women’s basketball season is three games away from its exciting conclusion as 16 teams prepare to head to Kansas City for the league tournament.
It was a long week with some significant victories, most notably West Virginia’s win over Kansas State. The Wildcats may get center Ayoka Lee back soon — and they could certainly use her.
Big 12 Women’s Basketball Power Rankings: February 21, 2025
With just three regular season games remaining, the Big 12 women’s basketball season is nearing its thrilling conclusion. All 16 teams are gearing up for the league tournament in Kansas City, and the intensity is heating up. This past week delivered several statement wins, none bigger than West Virginia’s victory over Kansas State — a result that may shift momentum in the conference. Kansas State is still waiting on the return of star center Ayoka Lee, and if she makes it back soon, the Wildcats will be a much tougher matchup come tourney time.
This Sunday’s matchup in Fort Worth, featuring West Virginia at TCU, is shaping up to be one of the most compelling games of the season. The Horned Frogs have been climbing the ranks, while the Mountaineers are hitting their stride at just the right time. A win for either side could seriously impact the seeding landscape heading into the tournament and may even determine which team earns a crucial double-bye. With so many teams tightly packed in the standings, every possession, every win, and every loss from here on out carries massive weight.
The Big 12 has been one of the most competitive and unpredictable conferences in women’s college basketball this year, with top teams trading wins and several bubble teams making strong cases for postseason bids. Programs like Baylor, Oklahoma State, and Utah are all jockeying for favorable positions, while teams like Iowa State and Kansas look to build momentum and finish strong.
Our Heartland College Sports weekly power rankings — dropping every Friday — give fans a pulse check on how each team is performing down the stretch. Whether you’re a diehard fan or a casual viewer, these rankings are your go-to snapshot of who’s hot, who’s slipping, and who might make a run in Kansas City. With tournament seeding on the line and March just around the corner, there’s never been a better time to follow Big 12 women’s hoops.
Big games are set for this weekend, too. Iowa State heads to Baylor to try and upend the Bears, while Kansas and Kansas State play their second Sunflower Showdown game.
Sunday sets up a terrific showdown in Fort Worth between West Virginia at TCU.
Our Heartland College Sports women’s power rankings will come out every Friday until we get to the conference tournament in Kansas City.
Each week we have a note on each team.
Let’s dig in.
No. 1 TCU (25-3, 13-2; Last Ranking: No. 3)
The “Big Three” of Hailey Van Lith, Sedona Prince and Madison Conner just keep on putting up terrific numbers. The Horned Frogs are on track to host an NCAA Tournament subregional for the first time in program history.
No. 2 Baylor (23-5, 13-2; Last Ranking: No. 4)
The Bears have won seven straight games and have six players on their roster that have scored at least 1,000 points in their careers. National analysts aren’t paying enough attention to Baylor.
No. 3 Oklahoma State (21-5, 11-4; Last Ranking: No. 1)
The Cowgirls are on the edge of a double-bye for the Big 12 Tournament and their upcoming game with Colorado will be a tougher game than many think.
No. 4 West Virginia (21-5, 11-4; Last Ranking: No. 5)
Beating Kansas State at home without Lee is one thing. Beating TCU at full strength in Fort Worth on Sunday? Well, that’s another matter entirely. That would be a statement for coach Mark Kellogg and his Mountaineers.
No. 5 Kansas State (24-4, 12-3; Last Ranking: No. 2)
The Wildcats are 5-3 since Lee went down. It’s possible she returns this weekend and they have a fairly brutal stretch to end the season — home against Kansas, home against Baylor at the finale at Iowa State.
No. 6 Iowa State (19-9, 10-5; Last Ranking: No. 7)
ISU is closing in on 20 wins and, like K-State, the Cyclones have a rough end to the season as they’ll play both Baylor and Kansas State.
No. 7 Utah (20-6, 11-4; Last Ranking: No. 6)
The loss to Oklahoma State on Tuesday snapped a seven-game winning streak and quite possibly cost the Utes a double-bye in the NCAA Tournament. Winning out means beating West Virginia next week, among others.
No. 8 Colorado (17-9, 8-7; Last Ranking: No. 9)
There is definitely a gap between the teams above Colorado. The Buffs’ last three losses have been to Iowa State, Utah and Baylor by an average of 23 points.
No. 9 Arizona (16-12, 7-8; Last Ranking: No. 8)
The Wildcats are on the bubble. If they can win their final three games and, perhaps a game or two in Kansas City, and they might just get in.
No. 10 Cincinnati (15-10, 7-8; Last Ranking: No. 11)
So, what happens if the Bearcats beat Utah, Oklahoma State and West Virginia to end the regular season? That’s an interesting NCAA Tournament bubble thought project.
No. 11 BYU (13-13, 4-11; Last Ranking: No. 10)
The Cougars snagged a nice win last weekend against Oklahoma State. Can they hang around .500 long enough to get into the WBIT or the WNIT/
No. 12 Kansas (15-11, 5-10; Last Ranking: No. 12)
It’s been a great year for sophomore S’mya Nichols. But it’s been a step back for the Jayhawks in most other respects. But a WBIT or WNIT bid is certainly possible.
No. 13 Texas Tech (14-14, 3-12; Last Ranking: No. 13)
The Lady Raiders still haven’t made it back to the NCAA Tournament under Krista Gerlich and it’s highly unlikely to happen in her fifth season. She thought she had the right mix of long-time starters and transfers, too.
No. 14 UCF (9-16, 2-13; Last Ranking: No. 14)
It’s fair to say the Knights still have work to do under coach Sytia Messer. But they have won two of their last six games.
No. 15 Arizona State (8-19, 2-13; Last Ranking: No. 16)
Coach Natasha Adair is in her third year and deserves more time to get things moving in the right direction in Tempe. But the program’s second year in the Big 12 will need to be better than this.
No. 16 Houston (5-21, 1-14; Last Ranking: No. 15)
Coach Ronald Hughey may pay the price for what may be the program’s worst season since 2015-16 (6-24). Without an NCAA Tournament berth in his 11 seasons, along with a new athletic director, it’s fair to wonder if this is it.
