For the second consecutive year, the Big 12 had six teams ranked in the Preseason Associated Press Men’s Basketball Top 25, matching a Conference record and tying for the national lead entering the 2025-26 season. All six ranked Big 12 teams are in the top 20, with three inside the top 10, the most of any conference.
Houston, who won both the Big 12 regular season and postseason titles in 2025, checks in at No. 2, matching the storied program’s best preseason ranking. The Cougars, who are coming off a trip to the national championship game and a 35-win season, are slotted No. 2 for the first time since 1967, when future Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Elvin Hayes anchored the UH lineup.
BYU slotted in at No. 8, marking the Cougars’ first appearance in the preseason poll since 2010 and their highest-ever preseason ranking from the Associated Press. The Cougs reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament with a 26-10 record in 2024-25.
Texas Tech gives the Big 12 three top 10 teams, more than any other conference, checking in at No. 10. The Red Raiders return JT Toppin who earned Big 12 Player of the Year in 2025 after leading the squad to a 28-9 record and an Elite 8 appearance, the program’s third since 2018.
Arizona begins the year ranked for the fourth consecutive year, starting the 2025-26 campaign at No. 13. The Wildcats went 24-13 a season ago and made their second consecutive Sweet 16 appearance.
Coming off a 25-10 season, Iowa State begins the year at No. 16 and is in the preseason top 25 for the second consecutive year. The Cyclones made their 11
th appearance in the last 13 NCAA Tournaments in 2025.
No. 19 Kansas rounds out the Big 12 representation in the AP Poll, marking its 20
th consecutive appearance in the preseason poll and 34
th time in the last 35 years.
Kansas State and Baylor additionally received votes.
2025 AP Preseason Top 25 (Big 12)
2. Houston
8. BYU
10. Texas Tech
13. Arizona
16. Iowa State
19. Kansas