Way Too Early 2026-27 Big 12 Conference Rankings (Post-Transfer Portal)
- Tesh
- 3 days ago
- 6 min read
The Big 12 is a loaded power conference with multiple national contenders and massive portal activity. These rankings are ordered primarily by 2025-26 KenPom offensive efficiency (AdjO + national rank), with returning production, net portal impact, and specific player movement as key factors. Each team includes both offense and defense.
1. Houston Cougars
(2025-26 AdjO: 124.7, #15 | AdjD: 90.8, #4)
Net Change: Neutral to better. Elite continuity and defensive identity.
Biggest additions:
Dedan Thomas Jr. (transfer from LSU, 15.3 PPG, 6.5 APG, elite playmaker before foot injury)
Braden East (transfer from Lamar, 12.8 PPG, 9.1 RPG)
Delrecco Gillespie (transfer from Kent State, 17.7 PPG, 11.3 RPG, 1.7 APG, 50.8% FG – All-MAC First Team, MAC Defensive Team)
Corey Hadnot II (transfer from Purdue Fort Wayne, 20.4 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 3.5 APG, 52.0% FG – Horizon League scoring leader)
Biggest losses: Isiah Harwell (to Gonzaga), Cedric Lath, and other rotation players entered the portal.
Clear favorite and national title contender with one of the best offenses and defenses in the country.
2. Arizona Wildcats
(2025-26 AdjO: 128.1, #5 | AdjD: 90.0, #2)
Net Change: Neutral. Their Final Four team last season was a top 5 KenPom offense and defense. It will take a lot to replicate that.
Biggest additions:
Derek Dixon (transfer from North Carolina, 8.7 PPG, 3.2 APG, 38% from 3PT)
JJ Mandaquit (transfer from Washington)
Ugnius Jarusevicius (transfer from Nebraska, 6-11 forward)
Biggest losses: Sidi Gueye, Dwayne Aristode, and other rotation players entered the portal.
Competitive upper tier with freshmen talent.
3. Iowa State Cyclones
(2025-26 AdjO: 123.6, #21 | AdjD: 91.6, #5)
Net Change: Neutral to worse. Lots of changes this season due to talent entering the draft or transferring.
Biggest additions:
Jaquan Johnson (transfer from Bradley, 16.9 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 3.6 APG, 2.5 SPG, 42.3% FG, 38.3% 3PT – All-MVC First Team, MVC Defensive Player of the Year)
Tre Singleton (transfer from Northwestern, 7.6 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 1.5 APG)
Biggest losses: Milan Momcilovic, rotation players entered the portal.
Lot of turnover at guard and forward positions from last season, will need to reestablish themselves with a new team.
4. Baylor Bears
(2025-26 AdjO: 122.0 , #30 | AdjD: 105.8, #103)
Net Change: Neutral. Balanced returning production. Lots of three-point shooting coming in.
Offense should be excellent but this teams defense was outside the top 100 last season.
Biggest additions:
Kayden Mingo (transfer from Penn State, 13.7 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 4.3 APG, 47.7% FG, 2.1 SPG)
Brett Decker Jr. (transfer from Liberty, 16.9 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 1.1 APG, 49.9% FG, 47.1% from 3PT)
Isaac Celiscar (transfer from Yale, 13.2 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 3.2 APG, 57% FG, 40.7% from 3PT – Second Team All-Ivy)
Biggest losses: Tounde Yessoufou (to St. John's) and other rotation players entered the portal.
Battle for upper tier.
5. Texas Tech Red Raiders
(2025-26 AdjO: 124.9, #14 | AdjD: 100.4, #34)
Net Change: Neutral. Mixed returning production.
Biggest additions:
Cruz Davis (transfer from Hofstra, 20.1 PPG, 4.7 APG, 40% from 3PT – CAA Player of the Year)
Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn (transfer from UNLV, 20.7 PPG, All-Mountain West First Team, MW Newcomer of the Year)
Damarion Dennis (transfer from Wyoming, 11.2 PPG)
Biggest losses: Rotation players entered the portal.
Potential to climb. Lots of scoring and elite shooting coming in.
6. BYU Cougars
(2025-26 AdjO: 125.1, #12 | AdjD: 102.3, #59)
Net Change: Neutral. Balanced production, Robert Wright III (initially entered portal but returned)
Biggest additions:
Collin Chandler (transfer from Kentucky, 9.7 PPG, 41% from 3PT)
Jake Wahlin (transfer from Clemson, 5.3 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 34.5% from 3PT in 20.4 MPG)
Biggest losses: Xavion Staton, Dominique Diomande, and others.
Mid-pack projection.
7. Kansas Jayhawks
(2025-26 AdjO: 117.7, #58 | AdjD: 93.5, #9)
Net Change: Neutral to better.
Biggest additions:
Leroy Blyden Jr. (transfer from Toledo, 16.4 PPG, 4.5 APG, 4.0 RPG, 40.7% from 3PT)
Keanu Dawes (transfer from Utah, 12.5 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 2.2 APG)
Christian Reeves (transfer from College of Charleston, 11.1 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 1.4 BPG)
Biggest losses: Flory Bidunga (to Louisville), Bryson Tiller, Elmarko Jackson, and others.
Solid contender with portal help. This team was 58th in KenPom offense last season despite their 9th ranked defense.
8. TCU Horned Frogs
(2025-26 AdjO: 115.0, #82 | AdjD: 97.7, #22)
Net Change: Neutral to worse. Some scoring losses from last seasons 2nd round NCAA tournament team.
Biggest additions:
Gavin Murphy (transfer from State Fair College, 10.8 PPG, 50% FG, 48.4% from 3PT)
Biggest losses: David Punch (14.1 PPG, 6.8 RPG to Texas), Jace Posey (transfer out, 4.6 PPG, 2.3 RPG), Kayden Edwards (to Creighton), and several backcourt players.
Rebuilding but retains enough tools.
9. Cincinnati Bearcats
(2025-26 AdjO: 111.3, #132 | AdjD: 93.9, #10)
Net Change: Neutral to worse. Significant turnover.
Biggest additions:
Riley Allenspach (transfer from George Mason, 13.6 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 56.6% FG)
Trevian Carson (transfer from North Dakota State, 11.9 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 2.9 APG, 48.0% FG)
Myles Colvin (transfer from Wake Forest, 11.6 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 1.4 APG, 40.3% FG, 36.0% from 3PT)
Adlan Elamin (transfer from Utah State, 6.7 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 44.4% FG)
Biggest losses: Jizzle James and multiple rotation players entered the portal.
Rebuilding year.
10. Colorado Buffaloes
(2025-26 AdjO: 118.5, #55| AdjD: 106.5, #122)
Net Change: Neutral to worse.
Biggest additions:
Justin Neely (transfer from UNC Greensboro, 17.9 PPG, 11.5 RPG, 2.4 APG, 54.2% FG)
David Gomez (transfer from Charlotte, 5.0 PPG, 3.5 RPG in limited action)
Noah Feddersen (transfer from North Dakota State, 9.3 PPG, 5.0 RPG)
Biggest losses: Isaiah Johnson (transfer to Texas, 16.9 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 3.0 APG, 48.6% FG, 37.8% from 3PT) and other key rotation players.
Mid-pack projection.
11. UCF Knights
(2025-26 AdjO: 120.0, #44 | AdjD: 105.0, #92)
Net Change: Neutral to better. Portal-focused rebuild.
Biggest additions:
Cayden Vasko (transfer from Wofford, 10.4 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 131 assists)
Isaiah Malone (transfer from Florida Gulf Coast, ASUN Defensive Player of the Year)
Lewis Walker (transfer from Boston College)
Churchill Abass (transfer from New Orleans)
Biggest losses: Jordan Burks, Jamichael Stillwell, and multiple rotation players entered the portal.
Potential upside.
12. West Virginia Mountaineers
(2025-26 AdjO: 111.9, #123 | AdjD: 97.2, #18)
Net Change: Neutral to worse. Heavy roster changes.
Biggest additions: Freshmen and portal pieces for guard and frontcourt depth.
Biggest losses: Multiple rotation players.
Lower-mid outlook.
13. Arizona State Sun Devils
(2025-26 AdjO: 116.0, #77 | AdjD: 103.6, #70)
Net Change: Neutral to worse. Significant turnover.
Biggest additions:
Paulius Murauskas (transfer from Saint Mary’s, 18.4 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 2.1 APG – All-WCC First Team)
Dillan Shaw (transfer from Saint Mary’s, 7.5 PPG, 5.4 RPG, WCC All-Freshman Team)
Joel Foxwell (transfer from Portland, 15.6 PPG, 6.5 APG as freshman)
Biggest losses: Multiple key contributors entered the portal.
Rebuilding year under new coaching with a strong portal haul.
14. Oklahoma State Cowboys
(2025-26 AdjO: 119.5, #48 | AdjD: 108.7, #158)
Net Change: Neutral to worse. Heavy rebuild.
Biggest additions:
Luka Bogavac (transfer from North Carolina, 7.4 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 40.8% from 3PT)
Kashie Natt (transfer from Sam Houston, 14.2 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 3.1 APG)
Jacob Walker (transfer from Sam Houston, 11.8 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 1.9 APG)
Andrija Grbovic (transfer from Arizona State, 9.7 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.8 APG)
Biggest losses: Multiple key contributors entered the portal.
Rebuilding year.
15. Kansas State Wildcats
(2025-26 AdjO: 113.4, #103 | AdjD: 106.5, #118)
Net Change: Neutral to worse. Significant turnover.
Biggest additions:
Brock Vice (transfer from Murray State, 2.0 PPG, 1.8 RPG, 61.1% FG in 5.3 MPG – limited role but high efficiency)
JT Rock (transfer, 7-1 center, 6.2 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 0.9 BPG, 54.5% FG in 12.8 MPG)
Isaiah Abraham (transfer from Georgetown, 4.8 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 0.7 APG in 19.9 MPG)
Jaden Schutt (transfer from Virginia Tech, 7.7 PPG, 1.6 RPG, 0.9 APG, 38.4% FG, 38.5% from 3PT in 24.6 MPG)
Biggest losses: Biggest losses: PJ Haggerty (transfer out to Texas A&M, 20.1 PPG, 4.2 APG, 3.8 RPG) and Abdi Bashir Jr. (transfer out to LSU, 12.4 PPG, 3.1 APG, 38.5% from 3PT), plus other key veterans.
Rebuilding year.
16. Utah Utes
(2025-26 AdjO: 114.7, #86 | AdjD: 111.2, #214)
Net Change: Neutral to worse. Heavy roster changes.
Biggest additions:
Taison Chatman (transfer from Ohio State, 4.3 PPG, 1.2 RPG, 0.8 APG in 13.1 MPG)
TJ Burch (transfer from Wright State, 12.4 PPG, 3.6 APG, 2.6 SPG)
Jackson Holcombe (transfer from Utah Valley, 16.0 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 3.6 APG, 53.0% FG)
Biggest losses: Multiple rotation players.
Lower outlook.
Big 12 Big Picture for 2026-27
Houston stands out with the strongest offensive baseline and continuity thanks to a strong portal class headlined by Dedan Thomas Jr., Braden East, Delrecco Gillespie, and Corey Hadnot II. Iowa State, Arizona, Baylor, and Kansas form a very dangerous top tier. The league features heavy portal turnover but remains one of the deepest in the country. Expect 6-8 NCAA bids, with Houston as the clear favorite.
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