The Big 12 is once again poised to be one of the deepest and most challenging conferences in college basketball for the 2025-2026 season. The conference's reputation for rugged competition remains intact, with multiple teams expected to be national contenders and safely projected in the preseason Top 25 rankings.

Leading the charge is Houston, fresh off a National Finalist run and consistently ranked near the top of preseason polls, showcasing their ability to reload talent despite key departures. They are joined by reloaded powerhouses like Texas Tech, which returns a star in the frontcourt and added strong transfers, and BYU, which boasts an elite freshman class headlined by a potential lottery pick in AJ Dybantsa. The Cougars' roster depth has them positioned for their most anticipated season in program history.

Even traditional bluebloods like Kansas and Arizona—despite roster turnover—remain firmly in the national conversation thanks to strong recruiting classes and elite coaching. The conference's overall strength is amplified by a high volume of key returning players at Iowa State and an influx of top transfer portal talent across the league, seen in programs like Baylor and West Virginia.

With so many programs vying for a league title—and an 18-game conference schedule of non-stop battles—the Big 12 will be a grueling test of endurance. Its proven track record of advancing teams deep into the NCAA Tournament suggests the conference will once again be an absolute gauntlet from top to bottom, preparing its contenders perfectly for March Madness.

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