The 2025–26 Big 12 men's basketball season began with the start of the 2025–26 NCAA Division I men's basketball season on November 3, 2025. Regular season conference play started on January 2, 2026 and concluded on March 7, 2026. The 2026 Big 12 men's basketball tournament was held on March 10−14, 2026, at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.

Previous season Big 12 regular season and tournament champion Houston received the conference's automatic bid to the 2025 NCAA tournament. They would ultimately lose to Florida in the championship game.

Seven out of the sixteen members were granted bids to the NCAA tournament. Those seven teams were Arizona, Baylor, BYU, Houston, Iowa State, Kansas and Texas Tech.

Offseason

Recruiting classes +RankingsTeamESPN247 SportsOn3SigneesArizona4237Arizona State−53706Baylor−21534BYU131863Cincinnati−48443Colorado−57506Houston2324Iowa State−24364Kansas189276Kansas State−651054Oklahoma State−49323TCU−67642Texas Tech−88622UCF−1952101Utah−1001172West Virginia−51634

Coaches

Coaching changes +CoachSchoolReasonReplacementJosh Eilert (interim)UtahNot renewedAlex JensenDarian DeVriesWest VirginiaLeft for IndianaRoss Hodge

Head coaches Note: Stats are through the beginning of the season. All stats and records are from time at current school only. TeamHead coachPrevious jobSeasons at school as HCOverall record at SchoolBig 12 recordNCAA tournamentsNCAA Final FoursNCAA championshipsArizona Tommy Lloyd Gonzaga (asst.)5th400 Arizona State Bobby Hurley# Buffalo10th300 BaylorScott DrewValparaiso23rd1311 BYUKevin YoungPhoenix Suns (asst.)2nd100 CincinnatiWes Miller∞UNC Greensboro5th000 Colorado Tad Boyle Northern Colorado16th600 HoustonKelvin SampsonHouston Rockets (asst.)12th720 Iowa StateT. J. OtzelbergerUNLV5th400 KansasBill SelfIllinois23rd20†3†2 Kansas StateJerome Tang ‡Baylor (asst.)4th100 Oklahoma StateSteve LutzWestern Kentucky2nd000 TCUJamie DixonPittsburgh10th400 Texas TechGrant McCaslandNorth Texas3rd200 UCFJohnny DawkinsStanford10th100Utah Alex Jensen Dallas Mavericks (assistant) 1st000 West Virginia Ross Hodge North Texas1st000 † All of the Jayhawks' postseason victories and 7 of their regular-season wins were vacated from the 2017–18 season. Officially, their record for the season 16–8 overall and 3–5 in conference play. The Jayhawks' regular-season Big 12 championship and their Big 12 tournament championship were vacated. The Jayhawks' entire NCAA tournament appearance from the season was vacated including their Final Four appearance.

‡ Jerome Tang was fired on February 15, 2026 after 25 games into the 2025−26 season. He finished with a record of 71−57 and one NCAA tournament appearance. Assistant coach Matthew Driscoll was named interim head coach for the remainder of the season.

# Following their conference tournament loss to Iowa State, it was announced Bobby Hurley's contract would not be extended in June. He finished his eleven year career with a record of 185−167 and three NCAA tournament appearances.

∞ Following their conference tournament loss to UCF, Wes Miller was fired as head coach of the Cincinnati Bearcats. He finished his five year career with a record of 100−74 and zero NCAA tournament appearances.

Preseason Big 12 media day Big 12 Men's Basketball Media day was held on October 22, 2025 at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, with coverage on ESPNU and ESPN+.

Teams and representatives attending was as follows: TeamCoachPlayerArizona Tommy Lloyd Tobe Awaka, Jaden Bradley, Koa PeatArizona State Bobby Hurley Noah Meeusen, Maurice OdumBaylorScott DrewObi Agbim, Dan Skillings Jr., Tounde YessoufouBYUKevin YoungAJ Dybantsa, Richie Saunders, Robert Wright IIICincinnatiWes MillerKerr Kriisa, Moustapha Thiam, Day Day ThomasColoradoTad BoyleBangot Dak, Sebastian RancikHoustonKelvin SampsonEmanuel Sharp, Milos Uzan, Ramon Walker Jr.Iowa StateT. J. OtzelbergerJoshua Jefferson, Tamin Lipsey, Milan MomcilovicKansasBill SelfFlory Bidunga, Darryn Peterson, Tre WhiteKansas StateJerome TangAbdi Bashir Jr., PJ Haggerty, Mobi IkegwurukaOklahoma StateSteve LutzParsa Fallah, Robert Jennings IITCUJamie DixonBrock Harding, Jayden PierreTexas TechGrant McCaslandChristian Anderson Jr., JT ToppinUCFJohnny DawkinsDevan Cambridge, Themus Fulks, Riley KugelUtahAlex JensenKeanu Dawes, James OkonkwoWest VirginiaRoss HodgeJasper Floyd, Honor Huff, Brenen LorientReference:

Big 12 preseason coaches poll The Big 12 preseason coaches poll was released on October 16, 2025. All awards were voted on by the league's 16 head coaches, who could not vote for their own team or players. The Big 12 preseason media poll was released on October 30, 2025.

Big 12 Preseason Coaches Poll Big 12 CoachesPoints 1.Houston224 (12) 2.BYU204 (1) 3.Texas Tech200 4.Arizona179 (1) 5.Iowa State170 6.Kansas163 7.Baylor137 8.Cincinnati120 9.Kansas State117 10.TCU90 11.West Virginia79 12.Oklahoma State77 13.Utah50 14.UCF39 15.Colorado37 16.Arizona State34Reference: (#) first-place votes

Big 12 Preseason Media Poll Big 12 Media 1.Houston 2.Texas Tech 3.BYU 4.Arizona 5.Iowa State 6.Kansas 7.Baylor 8.Kansas State 9.Cincinnati 10.TCU 11.West Virginia 12.Oklahoma State 13.Utah 14.UCF 15.Colorado 16.Arizona StateReference:

Big 12 preseason all-conference

All-Big 12 Preseason First team

Player School Pos. Yr. Ht., Wt. Hometown (Last School)AJ Dybantsa†BYUFFr.6'9", 195Brockton, MA (Utah Prep)Richie SaundersGSr.6'5", 200Riverton, UT (Wasatch Academy)Emanuel SharpHoustonGR-Sr.6'3", 205Tampa, FL (Bishop McLaughlin School)Joseph TuglerFJr.6'8", 230Monroe, LA (Cypress Falls)Milos UzanGSr.6'4", 195Las Vegas, NV (Oklahoma)Tamin LipseyIowa StateGSr.6'1", 200Ames, IA (Ames)Darryn Peterson†KansasGFr.6'5", 205Canton, OH (Napa Christian)P.J. HaggertyKansas StateGJr.6'4", 195Crosby, TX (Memphis)Christian Anderson Jr.Texas TechGSo.6'9", 195Atlanta, GA (Oak Hill Academy)JT Toppin†FJr.6'9", 230Dallas, TX (New Mexico)† denotes unanimous selectionReference:

Player of the Year: JT Toppin, Texas Tech Co-Newcomer of the Year: LeJuan Watts, Texas Tech Freshman of the Year: Darryn Peterson, Kansas

Preseason watchlists Below is a table of notable preseason watch lists.

PlayerSchoolWoodenNaismithOlsonRobertsonCousyWestErvingMaloneAbdul-JabbarJaden BradleyArizonaBrayden BurriesKoa PeatTounde YessoufouBaylorMichael RatajAJ DybantsaBYURichie SaundersRobert Wright IIIMoustapha ThiamCincinnatiChris Cenac Jr.HoustonIsiah HarwellJoseph TuglerEmanuel SharpMilos UzanJoshua JeffersonIowa StateMilan MomcilovicTamin LipseyFlory BidungaKansasDarryn PetersonPJ HaggertyKansas StateAnthony RoyOklahoma StateChristian Anderson Jr.Texas TechLeJuan WattsJT Toppin

Preseason All-American teams APESPN 1st TeamESPN 2nd TeamESPN 3rd TeamSI 1st TeamSI 3rd TeamBlue Ribbon 1st TeamBlue Ribbon 2nd TeamBlue Ribbon 3rd TeamBlue Ribbon 4th TeamAJ DybantsaPJ HaggertyDarryn PetersonEmanuel SharpThru 2025–26 Season JT ToppinJoseph Tugler

Preseason national polls/ratings

APBlue RibbonYearbookCBS SportsCoachesESPNFOX SportsLindy'sSportsSporting NewsKenpomNCAA SportsSportsIllustratedArizonaNo. 13No. 22No. 11No. 13No. 13No. 14No. 13No. 7No. 15No. 16No. 13Arizona State––––––––No. 75–No. 82BaylorRV––RV–––No. 23No. 17–No. 30BYUNo. 8No. 16No. 3No. 8No. 6No. 17–No. 10No. 18No. 14No. 9Cincinnati–––RV––––No. 36–No. 40Colorado––––––––No. 83–No. 95HoustonNo. 2No. 3No. 2No. 2No. 3No. 3No. 2No. 3No. 1No. 2No. 1Iowa StateNo. 16No. 17No. 13No. 18No. 18No. 11No. 16No. 24No. 13No. 18No. 25KansasNo. 19No. 18No. 18No. 19No. 21No. 19No. 19–No. 21No. 10No. 11Kansas StateRV––RV––––No. 61No. 33No. 55Oklahoma State–––RV––––No. 69–No. 63TCU––––––––No. 66–No. 57Texas TechNo. 10No. 14No. 7No. 11No. 10No. 5No. 10No. 8No. 12No. 9No. 7UCF––––––––No. 64–No. 89Utah––––––––No. 74–No. 85West Virginia––––––––No. 67–No. 68

Regular season The Conference match ups for each school have yet to be announced.

+KeyScheduleHome & Away Conference Schedule Home (H) & Away (A) Home Only (H) Away Only (A)

 ArizonaArizona StateBaylorBYUCincinnatiColoradoHoustonIowa StateKansasKansas StateOklahoma StateTCUTexas TechUCFUtahWest Virginiavs. Arizona— H & AH H & AAHHA H & AAAHAHHAvs. Arizona State H & A—HHA H & AHHAAAHAH H & AAvs. BaylorAA—AHA H & A H & AHHH H & AAHAHvs. BYU H & AAH—HAAAHHHA H & AA H & AHvs. CincinnatiHHAA—A H & AAHHAHH H & AA H & Avs. ColoradoA H & AHHH—HHAAAA H & AA H & AHvs. HoustonAA H & AH H & AA—HHAHH H & AAHAvs. Iowa StateHA H & AHHAA— H & AH H & AHAAHAvs. Kansas H & AHAAAHA H & A— H & AHAHHAHvs. Kansas StateHHAAAHHA H & A—H H & AHAA H & Avs. Oklahoma StateHHAAHHA H & AAA— H & AH H & AHAvs. TCUAA H & AHAHAAH H & A H & A—HHHAvs. Texas TechHHH H & AA H & A H & AHAAAA—HAHvs. UCFAAAH H & AHHHAH H & AAA—H H & Avs. UtahA H & AH H & AH H & AAAHHAAHA—Hvs. West VirginiaHHAA H & AAHHA H & AHHA H & AA—

Conference matrix  ArizonaArizona StateBaylorBYUCincinnatiColoradoHoustonIowa StateKansasKansas StateOklahoma StateTCUTexas TechUCFUtahWest Virginiavs. Arizona—0–20–10–20–10–10–10–11–10–10–10–11–00–10–10–1vs. Arizona State2–0—1–01–00–12–01–01–00–10–10–11–00–11–00–21–0vs. Baylor1–00–1—1–01–00–12–02–01–01–00–12–01–00–10–10–1vs. BYU2–00–10–1—1–00–11–00–11–00–11–00–11–11–00–21–0vs. Cincinnati1–01–00–10–1—0–12–00–10–10–10–11–01–01–10–12–0vs. Colorado1–00–21–01–01–0—1–01–01–00–10–10–12–01–00–21–0vs. Houston1–00–10–20–10–20–1—1–01–00–10–10–11–10–10–10–1vs. Iowa State1–00–10–21–01–00–10–1—1–10–10–21–01–00–10–10–1vs. Kansas1–11–00–10–11–00–10–11–1—0–20–10–10–11–00–11–0vs. Kansas State1–01–00–11–01–01–01–01–02–0—1–02–01–01–00–11–1vs. Oklahoma State1–01–01–00–11–01–01–02–01–00–1—2–01–00–20–10–1vs. TCU1–00–10–21–00–11–01–00–11–00–20–2—0–11–01–00–1vs. Texas Tech0–11–00–11–10–10–21–10–11–00–10–11–0—1–00–10–1vs. UCF1–00–11–00–11–10–11–01–00–10–12–00–10–1—0–12–0vs. Utah1–02–01–02–01–02–01–01–01–01–01–00–11–01–0—0–1vs. West Virginia1–00–11–00–10–20–11–01–00–11–11–01–01–00–91–0—Total16–27–116–129–99–97–1114–412–612–63–156–1211–712–69–92–169–9 Points scored

TeamForAgainstDifferenceArizona3,3602,706654Arizona State2,5192,585 -66Baylor2,7782,599179BYU2,8992,624275Cincinnati2,4132,230183Colorado2,6452,63213Houston2,8442,306538Iowa State3,0332,428605Kansas2,6292,417212Kansas State2,5462,619 -73Oklahoma State2,7632,780 -17TCU2,6342,445189Texas Tech2,7292,485244UCF2,5752,50372Utah2,3792,531 -152West Virginia2,4722,301171 Multi-Team Events Team Tournament FinishArizona−−Arizona StateMaui Invitational 2ndBaylorPlayers Era FestivalConsolation GameBYUESPN Events Invitational1stCincinnati−−ColoradoAcrisure Holiday Classic1stHoustonPlayers Era Festival Consolation Game Iowa StatePlayers Era Festival Consolation GameKansasPlayers Era Festival3rd Kansas StateHall of Fame Classic 2nd Oklahoma State− −TCURady Children's Invitational 1stTexas TechBaha Mar Championship 2ndUCFLegends Classic 1stUtahAcrisure Classic3rdWest VirginiaCharleston Classic 4th Sources:

Coast to Coast Challenge

Date Visitor Home Site Significance Score Conference record Dec. 7, 2025 LSU No. 19 Texas Tech† Dickies Arena • Fort Worth, TX USLBM Coast to Coast Challenge Texas Tech 82−58 Big 12 1−0 North Texas TCU† TCU 65−55 Big 12 2−0 Team rankings are reflective of AP poll when the game was played, not current or final ranking

Regular season honors

Big 12 Players of the Week