A team-by-team look at the Big 12 men's basketball race in 2026-27

(All coaches’ quotes are from Big 12 media day interviews)

1. ARIZONA WILDCATS

Big 12 schedule: Home and away games against ASU, BYU and Houston. Away games only at Kansas State, Cincinnati, West Virginia, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech and Iowa State. Home games only against Utah, TCU, UCF, Kansas, Baylor and Colorado.

Coach: Tommy Lloyd (148-36 in five seasons at Arizona and overall)

Last season: 36-3 overall, 16-2 Big 12 (1st), NCAA Final Four, Kenpom rating 2

Big losses: G Brayden Burries (16.1 ppt, 4.9 rpg), G Jaden Bradley (13.3 ppg, 4.4 apg), F Koa Peat (14.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg), F Tobe Awaka (9.3 ppg, 9.1 rpg), F Anthony Dell’Orso (8.5 ppg, 2.0 rpg)

Top returnees: C Motiejus Krivas (10.4 ppg, 8.2 rpg), F Ivan Kharchenkov (10.4 ppg,4.3 rpg)

Impact additions: G Caleb Holt (five-star freshman), F RJ Godfrey (Clemson transfer), G Derek Dixon (North Carolina transfer), G JJ Mandaquit (Washington transfer), C Ugnius Jarusevicius (Nebraska transfer), F Cameron Holmes (four-star freshman).

Outlook: The Wildcats made efficient use of NIL/revenue-share funds to assemble a roster expected to defend the Big 12 title, but while Holt will fill Burries’ go-to role, the Wildcats may not be easily able to replace the leadership and clutch play of Bradley.

He said it: “The sooner you can dissociate from what happened last year and understand this year is its own journey and build from square one is the important thing. There's no skipping steps in having a successful season and building a team. You have to get back to square one and be OK with that. You have to be OK that the journey is going to be rough. I look forward to all the challenges this season.” — Lloyd

2. HOUSTON COUGARS

Games with UA: Feb. 6 at McKale Center at Alkeme Arena (2 or 2:30 p.m., ESPN); March 6 at Houston (6 or 6:30 p.m., ESPN)

School location: Houston

Series history: Arizona leads 8-7-after winning at Houston and beating the Cougars in the final of the Big 12 Tournament at Kansas City last season. The Wildcats are 2-2 against Houston in Big 12 play, since the Cougars beat them at McKale Center and in the Big 12 Tournament final during the 2024-25 season.

Coach: Kelvin Sampson (329-91 in 12 seasons at Houston, 754-318 in 33 seasons overall)

Last season: 30-7 overall, 14-4 Big 12 (2nd), NCAA Sweet 16, Kenpom rating 4

Big losses: G Kingston Flemings (16.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg), G Emanuel Sharp (15.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg), G Milos Uzan (11.1 ppg,2.7 rpg), C Chris Cenac (9.5 ppg, 7.9 rpg)

Top returnee: F Joseph Tugler (8.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg).

Impact additions: G Ikenna Alozie (four-star freshman), C Arafan Diane (four-star freshman), G Dedan Thomas (LSU transfer), F Delrecco Gillespie (Kent State transfer)

Outlook: Losing four starters will test Sampson’s noted ability to build culture, but the Cougars return one of their best-fitting pieces in rugged forward JoJo Tugler and bring in another talented mix of freshmen and transfers.

He said it: “There's a lot of programs in our league that have had far more success than us and done it over a longer period of time. If you look at what our program has done in our time, it's because we've had a great staff, high-character kids that come to Houston, that want to get better. That's a pretty good formula.” — Sampson

3. KANSAS JAYHAWKS

Game with UA: Feb. 20 at McKale Center at Alkeme Arena (2 or 2:30 p.m., ESPN)

School location: Lawrence, Kansas

Series history: Kansas leads 10-6 after the teams split two games last season, with Kansas handing the Wildcats their first loss of last season, 82-78 at Lawrence, while the Wildcats beat the Jayhawks less than three weeks later at McKale, 84-61. The teams are tied at 2-2 as Big 12 rivals.

Coach: Bill Self (648-167 in 23 seasons at Kansas, 855-272 in 33 years overall).

Last season: 24-11 overall, 12-6 Big 12 (tie-3rd), NCAA second round, Kenpom rating 21

Big losses: G Darryn Peterson (20.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg), G Tre White (13.5 ppg, 6.7 rpg), F Flory Bidunga (13.3 ppg, 9.0 rpg)

Top returnee: G Melvin Council (12.7 ppg, 5.0 rpg)

Impact additions: G Tyran Stokes (five-star freshman), G Taylen Kinney (five-star freshman), F Keanu Dawes (Utah transfer, 12.5 ppg, 8.8 rpg)

Outlook: If the general downward trend since Kansas’ 2022 NCAA title isn’t concerning enough for Jayhawks fans, there was also Self’s public acknowledgment that he was considering retirement after a number of recent health issues. But Self returned and did so with the Big 12’s top recruiting class, giving the Jayhawks hope of reaching the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament for the first time in five years.

He said it: “I think we're deeper. I think we're more skilled at shooting the basketball. I think we're longer. I think we're more athletic. Now, those are nice things about a team, but how tough are we? How much do we like each other? Will we sacrifice for the good of others? Can we put winning over everything else? Those are intangible things that nobody will figure out ‘til later on. But I think this team has a chance to be very, very good.” — Self

4. IOWA STATE CYCLONES

Game with UA: Jan. 2 at Ames, Iowa (6 p.m., ESPN)

School location: Ames, Iowa

Series history: Arizona took a 7-4 lead in the series (2-1 in the Big 12) after beating Iowa State last season both at McKale and in the Big 12 Tournament semifinals, when Jaden Bradley hit a buzzer-beating jumper to win it for UA. The Wildcats earlier beat the Cyclones 73-57 at McKale to wrap up the Big 12 regular-season title. They haven’t beaten Iowa State in Ames in Big 12 play, losing there 84-67 during the 2024-25 season.

Coach: T.J. Otzelberger (124-53 in five seasons at ISU, 223-116 in 10 seasons overall)

Last season: 29-8 overall, 12-6 Big 12 (tie-3rd), NCAA Sweet 16, Kenpom rating 7

Big losses: F Milan Momcilovic (16.9 ppg, 48.6% 3FG), F Joshua Jefferson (16.4 ppg, 7.4 rpg)

Top returnees: G Tamin Lipsey (13.9 ppg, 5.1 apg), G Killyan Toure (8.6 ppg, 3.5 rpg), F Blake Buchanan (8.5 ppg, 5.7 rpg)

Impact additions: F Tre Singleton (Northwestern transfer, 7.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg), G Ryan Prather (Robert Morris transfer, 15.7 ppg, 3.6 apg), G JaQuan Johnson (Bradley transfer, 16.9 ppg, 3.9 rpg)

Outlook: Assuming his preliminary injunction holds up against NCAA appeal, Lipsey returns thanks to a five-for-five court decision, giving the Cyclones some relief after Joshua Jefferson became a first-round NBA pick and Momcilovic left for Kentucky dollars. A good mix of international players, transfers and incoming freshmen should also help Iowa State stay competitive at the top of the league.

He said it: “We’ve been fortunate with the tremendous young men in our program. When we recruit freshmen specifically, we look for character, work habits, talent, and a desire to improve. And we've been fortunate; those young men have come into our program. Hopefully, they've seen the value and the development and the role and how they can continue to move forward in our program.” — Otzelberger

5. TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS

Game with UA: Jan. 22 at Lubbock, Texas (6 p.m., FOX)

School location: Lubbock, Texas

Series history: UA beat Texas Tech 78-75 in overtime at McKale last season, just before the Red Raiders lost standout forward JT Toppin in a game at ASU. The Wildcats’ win moved them to 3-1 over Texas Tech in Big 12 play, but Texas Tech still leads the all-time series between former Border Conference rivals 29-27. TTU beat Arizona 70-54 in Lubbock during the 2024-25 season.

Coach: Grant McCasland (74-312 in three seasons at Texas Tech, 229-108 in 10 seasons overall)

Last season: 23-11 overall, 12-6 Big 12 (tie-3rd), NCAA second round, Kenpom rating 10

Big losses: G Christian Anderson (18.5 ppg, 7.4 apg), LeJuan Watts (11.8 ppg, 6.0 rpg), G Jaylen Petty (9.9 ppg, 6.0 rpg).

Top returnees: C JT Toppin (21.8 ppg, 10.8 rpg), G Donovan Atwell (13.5 ppg, 3.2 rpg)

Impact additions: F Darrion Williams (NC State transfer, was at Texas Tech in 2023-24 and 2024-25, 14.0 ppg, 4.6 rpg), G DaKari Spear (four-star freshman), F Jamichael Stillwell (UCF transfer, 11.6 ppg, 8.2 rpg), G Dra-Gibbs Lawhorn (UNLV transfer, 20.7 ppg, 2.5 apg), G Demarion Dennis (Wyoming transfer, 11.2 ppg, 1.3 apg).

Outlook: The Red Raiders are a case study in what five-for-five litigation can do if successful – Atwell, Stillwell and Williams are all expected to play this season if their cases hold up. And if Toppin can return at least by midseason from the ACL tear he suffered at ASU, the Red Raiders become a dark-horse candidate to win the Big 12.

He said it: “These guys (TTU veterans) approach it like it's their last day to play basketball every time they play. The young guys see the intensity at which you have to approach a scouting report – going against a Division II team in a scrimmage is just as important as playing in a game in the Big 12. Their experience tells us you got to compete every time you get an opportunity with everything you have.” — McCasland

6. BYU COUGARS

Games with UA: Jan. 12 at McKale Center at Alkeme Arena (9 p.m., ESPN); Feb. 22 at Provo, Utah (7 p.m., ESPN)

School location: Provo, Utah

Series history: Arizona swept a home-and-home series with the Cougars last season, winning 86-83 in Provo and 75-68 at McKale, to take a 23-20 lead in the series with its former WAC rival. Arizona leads 3-1 in Big 12 play.

Coach: Kevin Young (49-22 in two seasons at BYU and overall)

Last season: 23-12 overall, 9-9 Big 12 (tie/7th), NCAA first round, Kenpom rating 24

Big losses: G AJ Dybantsa (25.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg), G Richie Saunders (18.0 ppg, 5.8 rpg)

Top returnee: G Robert Wright (18.1 ppg, 4.6 apg)

Impact additions: F Bruce Branch (five-star freshman), G Collin Chandler (Kentucky transfer, 9.7 ppg, 2.8 rpg), C Jaxon Kohler (Michigan State transfer, 12.5 ppg, 8.9 rpg)

Outlook: The Cougars swapped out one NBA lottery pick (Dybantsa) for another potential one in Branch, while hanging on to one of the country’s best point guards after Wright opted against a transfer to Kentucky. Also, they did the modern-day roster addition thing by grabbing Kohler not just from Michigan State but also from the Utah Jazz, where the Utah native had signed an Exhibit 10 contract after four seasons with the Spartans.

He said it: “These guys really move the basketball. We got a lot of guys that can make plays, a lot of guys that are experienced enough to know the value of every possession. They're trying to find the best option. They trust each other.” — BYU associate head coach Tim Fanning

7. TCU HORNED FROGS

Game with UA: Feb. 8 at McKale Center at Alkeme Arena (7 p.m., ESPN2)

School location: Fort Worth, Texas

Series history: Arizona beat TCU 86-73 in Fort Worth last season, is 2-0 against the Horned Frogs in Big 12 play, and leads 3-2 overall. Before they met in the Big 12, the Wildcats beat TCU 85-80 in overtime of a 2022 NCAA Tournament second-round game in San Diego.

Coach: Jamie Dixon (199-138 in 10 seasons at TCU, 527-261 in 23 seasons overall)

Last season: 23-12 overall, 11-7 Big 12 (6th), NCAA Tournament second round, Kenpom rating 44

Big losses: F David Punch (14.1 ppg, 6.8 rpg), G Jayden Pierre (10.1 ppg, 2.1 rpg).

Top returnee: F Xavier Edmonds (14.6 ppg, 8.4 rpg), G Brock Harding (8.0 ppg, 5.6 apg), G Micha Robinson (10.9 ppg, 4.7 rpg), G Tanner Toolson (7.7 ppg, 3.2 rpg)

Impact additions: C Luke Bamgboye (Texas Tech transfer, 4.5 ppg, 1.7 bpg), G DJ Thomas (6.6 ppg, 2.1 rpg), G Gavin Sykes (Long Beach State transfer, 19.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg), G Trent Lincoln (juco transfer)

Outlook: With an estimated NIL value of $4 million, David Punch left TCU for Texas, but the Horned Frogs otherwise have the somewhat unusual luxury of four key players returning. Always physical, and able to minimize fouls while being that way last season, the Horned Frogs could be a Big 12 dark horse this time.

He said it: “We have a great group. Retention has always been the thing. I think it's the type of kid, type of character. They're loyal. They're great kids. They represent our university great. I just think that's going to be the strength of our team, the leadership of these guys.” — Dixon

8. CINCINNATI BEARCATS

Game with UA: Feb. 2 at Cincinnati (5 p.m., Peacock)

School location: Cincinnati

Series history: Arizona moved to 6-0 overall and 2-0 in Big 12 play against Cincinnati after beating the Bearcats 77-51 last season at McKale. They played their first-ever Big 12 road game in January 2025, winning at Cincinnati 72-67.

Coach: Jerrod Calhoun (first season at Cincinnati, 173-121 in nine seasons overall)

Last season: 18-15 overall, 9-9 Big 12 (tie/7th), Kenpom rating 43

Big losses: F Baba Miller (13.0 ppg, 10.3 rpg), C Moustapha Thiam (12.8 ppg, 7.1 rpg), G Day Day Thomas (11.5 ppg, 3.1 rpg)

Top returnees: None

Impact additions: G Tylen Riley (Tulsa transfer, 15.0 ppg, 4.4 apg), G Akai Fleming (Georgia Tech transfer, 10.4 ppg, 3.2 rpg), G Myles Colvin (Wake Forest transfer, 11.6 ppg, 4.4 rpg), G MJ Collins (Utah State transfer, 17.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg)

Outlook: Calhoun gave Arizona a few anxious moments in his final game as Utah State’s head coach last season before the Wildcats beat the Aggies 78-66 in the NCAA Tournament second-round game, and he quickly surfaced afterward as Cincinnati’s new coach. While he’s starting over at his alma mater, Calhoun brought along a solid mix of transfers, including his leading scorer at Utah State (if his five-for-five lawsuit holds), MJ Collins.

He said it: “I think we've recruited really good people. They like each other, and I think every other team in the country is dealing with the same thing (in rebuilding rosters). So we're not at a disadvantage at all.” — Calhoun

9. WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEERS

Game with UA: Jan. 30 at Morgantown, W.Va. (6 p.m., ESPN or ESPN2)

School location: Morgantown, West Virginia

Series history: Arizona leads 5-3 overall (2-0 in the Big 12) after beating the Mountaineers 88-53 at McKale last season. In 2024-25, UA lost a nonconference game to West Virginia, 83-76, in a Battle 4 Atlantis third-place game but returned to beat the Mountaineers 75-56 in Morgantown.

Coach: Ross Hodge (21-14 in one year at West Virginia; 67-38 in three seasons overall)

Last season: 21-14 overall, 9-9 Big 12 (tie/7th), Crown champions, Kenpom rating 55

Big losses: G Honor Huff (16.5 ppg, 2.3 rpg), G Chance Moore (10.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg)

Top returnees: None

Impact additions: G Miles Sadler (four-star freshman), C Amadou Seini (four-star freshman), G Joson Sanon (St. John’s transfer, 7.9 ppg, 2.4 rpg), C Mouhamed Sylia (Georgia Tech transfer, 9.6 ppg, 7.2 rpg), G Finley Bizjack (Butler transfer, 17.1 ppg, 2.5 rpg)

Outlook: Stability continues to be an issue at West Virginia in Hodge’s second season. Hodge led the Mountaineers to the College Basketball Crown title but pretty much lost his entire roster. Still, he has plenty of incoming talent, including former Phoenix Bella Vista Prep star Miles Sadler and one-time UA commit Joson Sanon, who has played for ASU and St. John’s.

He said it: “You're going to have roster turnover. You're going to have newness each year to year with the way the landscape is. So to have a staff that’s been together now going on our fourth year, we learn how to play off each other's strengths and weaknesses. That's definitely a blessing in the time period that we're in.” — Hodge

10. BAYLOR BEARS

Game with UA: Feb. 27 at McKale Center at Alkeme Arena (Noon, CBS)

School location: Waco, Texas

Series history: Arizona leads 8-5 and is 3-0 in Big 12 play against the Bears after beating them 87-80 last season in Waco. In 2024-25, Arizona won 81-70 at Waco and 74-67 at McKale. Before the schools met in the Big 12, Baylor swept Arizona in a two-year series during the Sean Miller era, beating the Wildcats 58-49 in 2018-19 at McKale and 63-58 in 2019-20 at Waco.

Coach: Scott Drew (481-286 in 23 seasons at Baylor, 501-287 in 24 seasons overall)

Last season: 17-17 overall, 6-12 Big 12 (tie/13th), Crown semifinals, Kenpom rating 50

Big losses: G Cameron Carr (18.9 ppg, 5.8 rpg), F Tounde Yessoufou (17.8 ppg, 5.9 rpg), G Obi Agbim (10.7 ppg, 3.2 apg)

Top returnees: G Isaac Williams (10.4 ppg, 3.3 apg)

Impact additions: G Dylan Mingo (five-star freshman), F Elijah Williams (four-star freshman), G Kayden Mingo (Penn State transfer, 13.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg)

Outlook: The NCAA champs in 2021, Baylor snapped a streak of five straight NCAA Tournament appearances last season and then lost all but two key players. But a strong recruiting class, led by the Mingo brothers, could put the Bears back in the now-expanded NCAA Tournament field. Andre Iguodala II, the son of the former UA and NBA standout, is on board, too.

He said it: “To survive the Big 12, you have to have depth. I think we have great depth. Because of that, hopefully we have more success this year than last year. The second thing is that in college basketball, point guard play is so important. We're blessed to have multiple guys that can make plays off the bounce, create for themselves and others. That always is a good thing for coaches.” — Drew

11. OKLAHOMA STATE COWBOYS

Game with UA: Feb. 16 at Stillwater, Okla. (7 p.m., ESPN or ESPN2)

School location: Stillwater, Okla.

Series history: Arizona is 5-0 overall and 2-0 in Big 12 play against the Cowboys, beating them 84-47 last season at McKale and 92-78 at Stillwater in 2024-25. Before meeting OSU in Big 12 play, Arizona last beat the Cowboys 79-78 in the 2005 Sweet 16 at Rosemont, Ill., when Salim Stoudamire hit a game-winning jumper in the final seconds.

Coach: Steve Lutz (37-33 in two seasons at Oklahoma State, 106-68 in four seasons overall)

Last season: 20-25 overall, 6-12 Big 12 (tie/13th), NIT second round, Kenpom rating 79

Big losses: G Anthony Roy (16.9 ppg, 4.1 rpg), G Christian Coleman (10.3 ppg, 5.6 rpg).

Top returnees: G Kanye Clary (10.6 ppg, 4.6 apg), F Benjamin Ahmed (4.9 ppg,3.6 rpg)

Impact additions: F Jordan Burks (UCF transfer, 13.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg), F Latrell Allmond (four-star freshman), G Anthony Felisi (four-star freshman), C Julius Halaifonua (Georgetown transfer, 9.5 ppg, 4.4 rpg), F Andrija Grbovic (ASU transfer, 6.8 ppg, 2.9 rpg)

Outlook: The Cowboys are attracting attention with a fast pace under Lutz, but have ended each of his first two seasons in the NIT. This team should have a chance to do better. Clary returns at point guard, and reportedly better funding has helped bring in a strong class of newcomers, including Burks as a go-to guy in the frontcourt.

He said it: “I was hired in April two years ago to take us to the NCAA Tournament. We hadn't been there since 2021, so that's got to be the goal. That's always been the goal. Now it's time to realize that goal, and I think that we've got a team that can certainly do that. — Lutz

12. ARIZONA STATE SUN DEVILS

Games with UA: Jan. 16 at McKale Center at Alkeme Arena (4 p.m., ESPN or ESPN2); Feb. 13 at Tempe (6 p.m., FOX)

School location: Tempe

Series history: Arizona has won seven straight games since Desmond Cambridge hit a half-court buzzer-beater to beat the Wildcats 89-88 on Feb. 25, 2023 at McKale. The Wildcats beat ASU 89-82 at Tempe and 87-74 at McKale last season. UA leads the all-time series 165-86.

Coach: Randy Bennett (first season at ASU, 589-228 in 25 seasons overall)

Last season: 17-16 overall, 7-11 Big 12 (tie/11th), Kenpom rating 66

Big losses: G Moe Odum (16.4 ppg, 5.7 apg), C Massamba Diop (13.6 ppg, 5.9 rpg), G Anthony Johnson (13.2 ppg, 3.2 rpg)

Top returnee: G Bryce Ford (6.9 ppg, 1.6 rpg)

Impact additions: F Paulius Murauskas (Saint Mary’s transfer, 18.4 ppg, 7.6 rpg), G Dillan Shaw (Saint Mary’s transfer, 7.5 ppg, 5.4 rpg), G Joel Foxwell (Portland transfer, 15.6 ppg, 6.5 apg), G JRob Croy (four-star freshman)

Outlook: A Mesa product, Bennett returns home after a quarter century building a mid-major powerhouse in the Bay Area. He brought along former UA forward Paulius Murauskas, a two-time all-WCC player for him at Saint Mary’s, to help with the transition.

He said it: “Better teams at the end of the year are teams that defend, rebound, take care of the ball. We want to be able to score at a high clip, as well. We're working on that. We know who's at the top of this league. We know how they play. We saw it in the other league that we were in, the WCC. We had a ridiculously long rivalry with Gonzaga. You weren't getting past them if you didn't do those things.” — Bennett

13. UCF KNIGHTS

Game with UA: Jan. 6 at McKale Center at Alkeme Arena (7 p.m., Peacock)

School location: Orlando, Florida

Series history: Arizona had five players score in double figures while beating UCF 88-80 at McKale last Jan. 11 in the only previous matchup between the two teams. UCF didn’t become a Division I program until 1985.

Coach: Johnny Dawkins (189-132 in 10 seasons at UCF, 345-247 in 18 seasons overall)

Last season: 21-12 overall, 9-9 Big 12 (tie/7th), NCAA Tournament first round, Kenpom rating 53

Big losses: F Jordan Burks (13.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg), F Jamichael Stillwell (11.6 ppg, 8.2 rpg), G Themus Fulks (14.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg), G Riley Kugel (14.4 ppg, 3.1 rpg)

Top returnees: C John Bol (5.9 ppg, 1.1 bpg), G Carmelo Pacheco (4.6 ppg, 1.6 rpg)

Impact additions: G Dior Johnson (Tarleton State transfer, 24.0 ppg, 3.3 rpg), F Lewis Walker (North Carolina A&T transfer, 18.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg)

Outlook: Dawkins led the Knights to the NCAA Tournament, and briefly into the Top 25, before losing nearly all of his roster once again. But he returns Bol and a few other rotation pieces, while welcoming back boomeranging guard Dior Johnson, who played sparingly at UCF in 2024-25 before becoming the WAC Sixth Man of the Year last season at Tarleton State.

He said it: “I always hope the same thing at the end of the season: That we're a terrific defensive team. I think if you want to be successful, especially in our conference and around the country, you're going to have to understand the importance of defending.” — Dawkins

T14. KANSAS STATE WILDCATS

Game with UA: Jan. 9 at Manhattan, Kansas (10 a.m., CBS)

School location: Manhattan, Kansas

Series history: Kansas State leads 9-7 overall, but the teams are tied 1-1 after Arizona beat Kansas State 101-76 at McKale last Jan. 10. In 2024-25, Kansas State snapped a three-game losing streak to Arizona when it held off the Wildcats 73-70 in Manhattan, Kan.

Coach: Casey Alexander (first season at Kansas State, 303-180 in 15 seasons overall)

Last season: 12-20 overall, 3-15 Big 12 (15th), Kenpom rating 103

Big losses: G P.J. Haggerty (23.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg), G Nate Johnson (12.8 ppg, 4.9 rpg)

Top returnee: G Andrej Kostic (5.2 ppg, 1.7 rpg)

Impact additions: G Brandon Rechsteiner (Colorado State transfer, 12.0 ppg, 2.5 apg), C JT Rock (New Mexico transfer, 6.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg), G Jaden Schutt (Virginia Tech transfer, 7.7 ppg, 1.6 rpg), F Dez Lindsay (Oregon transfer, 5.3 ppg, 2.8 rpg)

Outlook: After 13 seasons bouncing around successfully in the lower levels of Division I, Alexander is taking a shot at Kansas State, which fired coach Jerome Tang toward the end of a disastrous season, not long after Tang said during a postgame press conference that his players did not deserve to wear K-State’s uniform. K-State’s “for-cause” reasoning led to a lawsuit from Tang and an eventual $12 million settlement.

He said it: “We have to know who we are. None of us are naïve to the fact that we've got a pretty steep climb ahead of us. This is the best league in the country for a reason. … We've got to find what is going to make us successful, what is our niche. Being together, playing to a certain style, having the character, our culture, those kind of things are really important to us.” — Alexander

T14. COLORADO BUFFALOES

Game with UA: March 3 at McKale Center at Alkeme Arena (7 p.m., FS1)

School location: Boulder, Colorado

Series history: Arizona leads the series over its fellow Pac-12 refugee 28-16, and is 2-0 against the Buffs in Big 12 play. The Wildcats won 89-79 in Boulder on the final day of the regular season in 2025-26, and beat Colorado 78-63 at McKale in 2024-25.

Coach: Tad Boyle (329-220 in 16 seasons at Colorado, 385-286 in 20 seasons overall)

Last season: 17-16 overall, 7-11 Big 12 (tie/11th), Crown first round, Kenpom rating 70

Big losses: F Sebastian Rancik (12.3 ppg,5.6 rpg), F Bangot Dak (11.5 ppg,6.5 rpg), G Isaiah Johnson (16.9 ppg, 3.0 rpg)

Top returnees: G Barrington Hargress (14.7 ppg, 4.5 apg), G Josiah Sanders (4.4 ppg, 2.6 rpg), G Jalin Holland (4.9 ppg, 2.7 rpg)

Impact additions: F Justin Neely (UNC Greensboro transfer, 17.9 ppg, 11.5 rpg), C Noah Feddersen (9.3 ppg, 5.0 rpg), F David Gomez (5.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg)

Outlook: Over his lengthy tenure in Boulder, Boyle has been known for retention and development. That’s hard to do in the NIL era, but he does have four key players back to build around, which could give the Buffs enough to challenge for the Big 12’s upper division.

He said it: “You have to change more so as a coach now than you did maybe in years past where you recruited your system. You knew your freshmen were going to be sophomores, your sophomores were going to be juniors, your juniors were going to be seniors. Now your team can change overnight in the spring. Ours changed a lot. I always try to focus on the returning guys…. You start with that core, and you build from there.” — Boyle

16. UTAH UTES

Game with UA: Jan. 26 at McKale Center at Alkeme Arena (8 p.m., FS1)

School location: Salt Lake City

Series history: UA leads its former Border Conference, Pac-12 and now Big 12 counterpart 42-32 overall after beating the Utes 97-78 last season in Salt Lake City. The teams last played at McKale in the Utes’ first game after firing coach Craig Smith late in the 2024-25 season, when UA won 83-66.

Coach: Alex Jensen (10-22 in one season at Utah and overall)

Last season: 10-22 overall, 2-16 Big 12 (16th), Kenpom rating 128

Big losses: G Terrence Brown (19.9 ppg, 3.8 rpg), G Don McHenry (17.0 ppg, 2.8 rpg), F Keanu Dawes (12.5 ppg, 8.8 rpg)

Top returnees: F Babacar Faye (leg injury in 2025-26), G Obomate Abbey (2.5 ppg, 2.2 apg), G Lucas Langarita (2.6 ppg, 1.2 rpg)

Impact additions: G TJ Burch (Wright State transfer, 12.4 ppg, 2.6 spg), G Taison Chatman (Ohio State transfer, 4.3 ppg,1.2 rpg), F Jackson Holcombe (Utah Valley transfer, 16.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg)

Outlook: The Utes lost their potential starting point guard in August, when the NCAA ruled Israeli guard Noam Yaacov ineligible, but Jensen brought in enough talent that the Utes should improve on their two-win conference effort last season.

He said it: “I don't get into the rankings or the probability of this or that. But we talked about it, and it’s easy motivation because it's not fake; it's real: Like, this is where we're picked. It should be motivation for (Utah players). It is for me.” — Jensen