Big 12 Dominates On3’s Way-Too-Early Top 25 for Next Hoops Season

On3’s James Fletcher III released the tenth iteration of his “way-too-early” Top 25 rankings for the 2025‑26 college basketball season and included seven Big 12 programs on the list.

The Big 12’s prominence begins with Houston at No. 2 nationally. Iowa State came in at No. 8, Kansas at No. 14, BYU at No. 16, Texas Tech at No. 19, Arizona at No. 20, and Baylor at No. 22.

Houston’s positioning as the second-ranked team underlines its status as the conference’s flagship program. The Cougars commanded dominance throughout the 2024‑25 season, winning both the regular-season and tournament titles. Fletcher’s assessment supports the idea that Houston remains a national powerhouse heading into 2025‑26 .

T.J. Otzelberger’s team has steadily built momentum over recent seasons and stands poised to make another deep NCAA run, which earned them a spot at No. 8. Following the Cyclones was Kansas at No. 14. Bill Self’s reputation for sustained excellence continues to pay dividends, even amid offseason transitions.

BYU, Texas Tech, Arizona, and Baylor round out the Top 25 slots, collectively reinforcing the depth of the league. The Red Raiders made it all the way to the Elite Eight last season, while the Cougars and Wildcats were eliminated one round prior. Baylor, despite an early exit in 2024-25, has built a roster capable of making some noise in the Big 12 yet again this winter.

Fletcher’s projections take into account final NBA Draft decisions and transfer portal moves, meaning rosters were set mainly at the time of release, which lends credibility to the rankings, despite the “way-too-early” label. Seven teams in the Top 25 reflect the Big 12’s standing as one of the nation’s premier basketball leagues.

Fletcher’s early Top 25 marks a decisive vote of confidence for the Big 12. For fans and experts alike, seeing seven conference teams hailed among the best early on sets high expectations heading into the new season.