Player of the Week:
PJ Haggerty, Kansas State
PJ Haggerty has kicked off the season in impressive fashion, leading Kansas State to a 5-2 record after the first seven games and a runner-up finish in the Hall of Fame Classic. This season, Haggerty is averaging 26.3 points and 5.7 assists per game while shooting 53.8% from the field. He earned conference player of the week honors after averaging 31.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, and six assists per game during Thanksgiving week. Kansas State is Haggerty’s fourth school in four years, but it seems to be a fitting choice as the senior guard has emerged as one of the top players in the BIG 12 during the early part of the season.
Freshman of the Week:
Koa Peat, Arizona
Koa Peat had an outstanding high school career, winning multiple state titles and earning several gold medals with Team USA. This winning mentality has carried over to the college ranks, where the 6’8″ freshman has become a key player for the University of Arizona, contributing to the team’s rise to the #2 ranking in the country. In just six games, Peat is averaging 15.5 points and six rebounds while shooting 54.7% from the field. Notably, he recorded 16 points and 12 rebounds in 37 minutes during a road victory against the #3-ranked UConn Huskies.
Who’s Hot?
AJ Dybansta, BYU
AJ Dybansta was the top-ranked high school basketball player and is projected to be the #1 overall pick in the 2026 draft. He has quickly lived up to the hype in his first few weeks at BYU. After seven games, the team is ranked #9 in the nation, with its only loss being a close two-point defeat to UConn in Boston. Dybansta is averaging 19 points and a team-high 6.4 rebounds per game, shooting 52.3% from the floor and 37.5% from three-point range. He has already demonstrated NBA-level talent with his ability to play both on and off the ball, as well as guard multiple positions. As December approaches, he is a strong candidate for both Conference Freshman of the Year and Player of the Year.
Arizona Wildcats
The Arizona Wildcats have established themselves as one of the top teams in the country, led by standout players Koa Peat and former five-star freshman Brayden Burries. Arizona boasts a deep and talented roster that excels on both offense and defense and has already secured two significant victories. The Wildcats recently defeated the #3-ranked UConn Huskies on the road and began the season with a win over the reigning national champion Florida Gators in Las Vegas. With the continued development of Arizona’s freshman prospects, who have lottery pick potential, along with the strength of their veteran core, the Wildcats have a strong chance to win the BIG 12 and make a deep run in March toward a national championship.
Darryn Peterson, Kansas
Despite missing a number of games, Darryn Peterson is one of the elite guards in the country and has already displayed signs of NBA potential. He is currently averaging 21.5 points and 3 assists per game, shooting 60% from the field and 50% from three-point range, despite playing in only 2 games. A lingering hamstring injury has sidelined him, and it remains uncertain how long he will be out. The success of the Kansas season likely hinges on the return of this five-star freshman, who Bill Self has said is his most talented recruit ever. There are rumors swirling that Peterson might leave Kansas to focus on his NBA rehabilitation, but those questions remain unanswered, meanwhile his return is anxiously awaited by Kansas and NBA draft fans alike.
Kingston Flemings, Houston
Flemings is a former 5-star guard from Texas who has made a significant impact on college basketball during his first few weeks with the Houston Cougars. He has been a key player on both ends of the court, serving as an effective on-ball pressure defender and averaging 1.3 steals per game. Offensively, Flemings excels, averaging 15.3 points and a team-high five assists per game. He boasts impressive shooting percentages of 60.8% from the floor and 52.4% from three-point range. If Flemings can maintain this level of consistency into the new year, he has the potential to become a consensus lottery pick.
Who’s Not?
Texas Tech Red Raiders
The Red Raiders are currently ranked in the top 25, but they have not met early-season expectations. After starting the season as the #10 team in the nation, Texas Tech has lost 2 of its first 7 games. One of those losses occurred in Illinois, where they were defeated by the then-ranked #14 Illinois Fighting Illini in the third game of the year. The most significant setback for Texas Tech came in their sixth game when they suffered an 86-56 loss in the Bahamas to the top-ranked Purdue Boilermakers. While JT Toppin and Christian Anderson have performed exceptionally well for the Red Raiders, the rest of the team has struggled to maintain a consistently high level of play.
Milos Uzan, Houston
Uzan was a preseason unanimous first-team All-BIG 12 selection, but so far this season, he has been at best the third-best player on his team. Houston is currently ranked in the top five nationally but fell to 7-1 after losing to Tennessee over the weekend, which will likely drop the Cougars out of the top five. This year, Uzan’s scoring average has increased compared to last season, but his turnovers have also risen, and his shooting percentages are concerning. He is averaging 1.5 turnovers per game and shooting 37.1% from the field and 28.3% from three-point range. For Houston to make another deep run in the tournament, their senior guard needs to improve his performance.
Top Five Big 12 Teams
1.Arizona Wildcats (6-0)
The Arizona Wildcats have kicked off the season with an impressive performance, currently ranked #2 in the nation. They boast two victories against top-3 teams and have a tough top-10 out-of-conference schedule, according to the power rankings. Arizona has already demonstrated its depth and talent across the floor, making it a formidable and well-rounded team. Head Coach Tommy Lloyd has his players executing a high-tempo, physical style of basketball that has proven to be unstoppable in the early weeks of the season. Arizona stands out as the best team in the conference and has a strong chance of winning a national title in 2026.
2. Iowa State (7-0)
Iowa State has emerged as an elite team after the first few weeks of the season, remaining undefeated through seven games and currently ranked #15 in the nation. Their most notable victory came in a thrilling one-point win against the 14th-ranked St. John’s Red Storm. The Cyclones feature a balanced offense, with four players averaging double-digit points. Tamin Lipsey leads the team with an average of 18.4 points per game, although he has only played in five games this season. Joshua Jefferson serves as the team’s anchor, contributing 17.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, and five assists per game. The Cyclones face their most significant challenge of the season next Saturday with a game against the number one-ranked Purdue Boilermakers.
as the senior guard has emerged as one of the top players in the BIG 12 during the early part of the season.
Freshman of the Week:
Koa Peat, Arizona
Koa Peat had an outstanding high school career, winning multiple state titles and earning several gold medals with Team USA. This winning mentality has carried over to the college ranks, where the 6’8″ freshman has become a key player for the University of Arizona, contributing to the team’s rise to the #2 ranking in the country. In just six games, Peat is averaging 15.5 points and six rebounds while shooting 54.7% from the field. Notably, he recorded 16 points and 12 rebounds in 37 minutes during a road victory against the #3-ranked UConn Huskies.
Who’s Hot?
AJ Dybansta, BYU
AJ Dybansta was the top-ranked high school basketball player and is projected to be the #1 overall pick in the 2026 draft. He has quickly lived up to the hype in his first few weeks at BYU. After seven games, the team is ranked #9 in the nation, with its only loss being a close two-point defeat to UConn in Boston. Dybansta is averaging 19 points and a team-high 6.4 rebounds per game, shooting 52.3% from the floor and 37.5% from three-point range. He has already demonstrated NBA-level talent with his ability to play both on and off the ball, as well as guard multiple positions. As December approaches, he is a strong candidate for both Conference Freshman of the Year and Player of the Year.
Arizona Wildcats
The Arizona Wildcats have established themselves as one of the top teams in the country, led by standout players Koa Peat and former five-star freshman Brayden Burries. Arizona boasts a deep and talented roster that excels on both offense and defense and has already secured two significant victories. The Wildcats recently defeated the #3-ranked UConn Huskies on the road and began the season with a win over the reigning national champion Florida Gators in Las Vegas. With the continued development of Arizona’s freshman prospects, who have lottery pick potential, along with the strength of their veteran core, the Wildcats have a strong chance to win the BIG 12 and make a deep run in March toward a national championship.
Darryn Peterson, Kansas
Darryn Peterson is one of the top guards in the country and has already displayed signs of NBA potential. He is currently averaging 21.5 points and 3 assists per game, shooting 60% from the field and 50% from three-point range, despite playing in only 2 games. A lingering hamstring injury has sidelined him, and it remains uncertain how long he will be out. The success of the Kansas season could hinge on the return of this former five-star freshman, who is the team’s best player. There have been rumors that Peterson might leave Kansas to focus on his NBA rehabilitation, but those questions remain unanswered, as his return date has not yet been set.
Kingston Flemings, Houston
Flemings is a former 5-star guard from Texas who has made a significant impact on college basketball during his first few weeks with the Houston Cougars. He has been a key player on both ends of the court, serving as an effective on-ball pressure defender and averaging 1.3 steals per game. Offensively, Flemings excels, averaging 15.3 points and a team-high five assists per game. He boasts impressive shooting percentages of 60.8% from the floor and 52.4% from three-point range. If Flemings can maintain this level of consistency into the new year, he has the potential to become a consensus lottery pick.
Who’s Not?
Texas Tech Red Raiders
The Red Raiders are currently ranked in the top 25, but they have not met early-season expectations. After starting the season as the #10 team in the nation, Texas Tech has lost 2 of its first 7 games. One of those losses occurred in Illinois, where they were defeated by the then-ranked #14 Illinois Fighting Illini in the third game of the year. The most significant setback for Texas Tech came in their sixth game when they suffered an 86-56 loss in the Bahamas to the top-ranked Purdue Boilermakers. While JT Toppin and Christian Anderson have performed exceptionally well for the Red Raiders, the rest of the team has struggled to maintain a consistently high level of play.
Milos Uzan, Houston
Uzan was a preseason unanimous first-team All-BIG 12 selection, but so far this season, he has been at best the third-best player on his team. Houston is currently ranked in the top five nationally but fell to 7-1 after losing to Tennessee over the weekend, which will likely drop the Cougars out of the top five. This year, Uzan’s scoring average has increased compared to last season, but his turnovers have also risen, and his shooting percentages are concerning. He is averaging 1.5 turnovers per game and shooting 37.1% from the field and 28.3% from three-point range. For Houston to make another deep run in the tournament, their senior guard needs to improve his performance.
Top Five Big 12 Teams
1.Arizona Wildcats (6-0)
The Arizona Wildcats have kicked off the season with an impressive performance, currently ranked #2 in the nation. They boast two victories against top-3 teams and have a tough top-10 out-of-conference schedule, according to the power rankings. Arizona has already demonstrated its depth and talent across the floor, making it a formidable and well-rounded team. Head Coach Tommy Lloyd has his players executing a high-tempo, physical style of basketball that has proven to be unstoppable in the early weeks of the season. Arizona stands out as the best team in the conference and has a strong chance of winning a national title in 2026.
2. Iowa State (7-0)
Iowa State has emerged as an elite team after the first few weeks of the season, remaining undefeated through seven games and currently ranked #15 in the nation. Their most notable victory came in a thrilling one-point win against the 14th-ranked St. John’s Red Storm. The Cyclones feature a balanced offense, with four players averaging double-digit points. Tamin Lipsey leads the team with an average of 18.4 points per game, although he has only played in five games this season. Joshua Jefferson serves as the team’s anchor, contributing 17.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, and five assists per game. The Cyclones face their most significant challenge of the season next Saturday with a game against the number one-ranked Purdue Boilermakers.
as the senior guard has emerged as one of the top players in the BIG 12 during the early part of the season.
Freshman of the Week:
Koa Peat, Arizona
Koa Peat had an outstanding high school career, winning multiple state titles and earning several gold medals with Team USA. This winning mentality has carried over to the college ranks, where the 6’8″ freshman has become a key player for the University of Arizona, contributing to the team’s rise to the #2 ranking in the country. In just six games, Peat is averaging 15.5 points and six rebounds while shooting 54.7% from the field. Notably, he recorded 16 points and 12 rebounds in 37 minutes during a road victory against the #3-ranked UConn Huskies.
Who’s Hot?
AJ Dybansta, BYU
AJ Dybansta was the top-ranked high school basketball player and is projected to be the #1 overall pick in the 2026 draft. He has quickly lived up to the hype in his first few weeks at BYU. After seven games, the team is ranked #9 in the nation, with its only loss being a close two-point defeat to UConn in Boston. Dybansta is averaging 19 points and a team-high 6.4 rebounds per game, shooting 52.3% from the floor and 37.5% from three-point range. He has already demonstrated NBA-level talent with his ability to play both on and off the ball, as well as guard multiple positions. As December approaches, he is a strong candidate for both Conference Freshman of the Year and Player of the Year.
Arizona Wildcats
The Arizona Wildcats have established themselves as one of the top teams in the country, led by standout players Koa Peat and former five-star freshman Brayden Burries. Arizona boasts a deep and talented roster that excels on both offense and defense and has already secured two significant victories. The Wildcats recently defeated the #3-ranked UConn Huskies on the road and began the season with a win over the reigning national champion Florida Gators in Las Vegas. With the continued development of Arizona’s freshman prospects, who have lottery pick potential, along with the strength of their veteran core, the Wildcats have a strong chance to win the BIG 12 and make a deep run in March toward a national championship.
Darryn Peterson, Kansas
Darryn Peterson is one of the top guards in the country and has already displayed signs of NBA potential. He is currently averaging 21.5 points and 3 assists per game, shooting 60% from the field and 50% from three-point range, despite playing in only 2 games. A lingering hamstring injury has sidelined him, and it remains uncertain how long he will be out. The success of the Kansas season could hinge on the return of this former five-star freshman, who is the team’s best player. There have been rumors that Peterson might leave Kansas to focus on his NBA rehabilitation, but those questions remain unanswered, as his return date has not yet been set.
Kingston Flemings, Houston
Flemings is a former 5-star guard from Texas who has made a significant impact on college basketball during his first few weeks with the Houston Cougars. He has been a key player on both ends of the court, serving as an effective on-ball pressure defender and averaging 1.3 steals per game. Offensively, Flemings excels, averaging 15.3 points and a team-high five assists per game. He boasts impressive shooting percentages of 60.8% from the floor and 52.4% from three-point range. If Flemings can maintain this level of consistency into the new year, he has the potential to become a consensus lottery pick.
Who’s Not?
Texas Tech Red Raiders
The Red Raiders are currently ranked in the top 25, but they have not met early-season expectations. After starting the season as the #10 team in the nation, Texas Tech has lost 2 of its first 7 games. One of those losses occurred in Illinois, where they were defeated by the then-ranked #14 Illinois Fighting Illini in the third game of the year. The most significant setback for Texas Tech came in their sixth game when they suffered an 86-56 loss in the Bahamas to the top-ranked Purdue Boilermakers. While JT Toppin and Christian Anderson have performed exceptionally well for the Red Raiders, the rest of the team has struggled to maintain a consistently high level of play.
Milos Uzan, Houston
Uzan was a preseason unanimous first-team All-BIG 12 selection, but so far this season, he has been at best the third-best player on his team. Houston is currently ranked in the top five nationally but fell to 7-1 after losing to Tennessee over the weekend, which will likely drop the Cougars out of the top five. This year, Uzan’s scoring average has increased compared to last season, but his turnovers have also risen, and his shooting percentages are concerning. He is averaging 1.5 turnovers per game and shooting 37.1% from the field and 28.3% from three-point range. For Houston to make another deep run in the tournament, their senior guard needs to improve his performance.
Top Five Big 12 Teams
1.Arizona Wildcats (6-0)
The Arizona Wildcats have kicked off the season with an impressive performance, currently ranked #2 in the nation. They boast two victories against top-3 teams and have a tough top-10 out-of-conference schedule, according to the power rankings. Arizona has already demonstrated its depth and talent across the floor, making it a formidable and well-rounded team. Head Coach Tommy Lloyd has his players executing a high-tempo, physical style of basketball that has proven to be unstoppable in the early weeks of the season. Arizona stands out as the best team in the conference and has a strong chance of winning a national title in 2026.
2. Iowa State (7-0)
Iowa State has emerged as an elite team after the first few weeks of the season, remaining undefeated through seven games and currently ranked #15 in the nation. Their most notable victory came in a thrilling one-point win against the 14th-ranked St. John’s Red Storm. The Cyclones feature a balanced offense, with four players averaging double-digit points. Tamin Lipsey leads the team with an average of 18.4 points per game, although he has only played in five games this season. Joshua Jefferson serves as the team’s anchor, contributing 17.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, and five assists per game. The Cyclones face their most significant challenge of the season next Saturday with a game against the number one-ranked Purdue Boilermakers.
3. Colorado Buffaloes (7-0)
The Colorado Buffaloes are undefeated through the first part of the season with seven wins through seven games played. Unlike several of the other top teams in the BIG 12, the Buffaloes have yet to play a formidable opponent and have no real wins to hang their hat on. Colorado does have a balanced scoring attack as five different players are averaging double figures. Isaiah Johnson is leading Colorado this season, averaging 14.9 points in nearly 25 minutes per game through seven games played.
4. Oklahoma State Cowboys (7-0)
Oklahoma State has gotten off to a strong start this season, boasting a 7-0 record in the first few weeks. The team is known for its fast-paced, high-scoring style of play. The Cowboys have scored 85 or more points in every game so far, consistently pushing the tempo. Defensively, Oklahoma State has held its own, winning every game by double digits during this early stretch. Victorius Millyer, a transfer from LSU, has emerged as the offensive leader for Oklahoma State, averaging 17.4 points per game on 58% shooting and 51.7% from beyond the arc. Another key contributor is Jaylen Curry, a transfer from Massachusetts, who has taken on a new role this season as the team’s second-leading scorer, averaging 16 points and 5.2 assists per game.
5. Houston Cougars (7-1)
The Houston Cougars are currently ranked fifth in the Big 12, despite being ranked third nationally. They experienced their first loss of the season last week in the Players Era Festival against Tennessee, losing 76-73. Houston remains a defensive-minded team and is recognized as one of the nation’s strongest defensive units. The Cougars have impressive depth and talent, featuring two former five-star recruits who are potential first-round draft picks. Although they haven’t fully established their rhythm this season, they are expected to become a formidable force by 2026 as they aim for another appearance in the national championship game.