Player of the Week
JT Toppin, Texas Tech
JT Toppin has emerged as the centerpiece for Texas Tech, currently the nation’s No. 11 team. He is averaging 22.1 points and 10.9 rebounds per game, leading the Red Raiders in both categories. During Texas Tech’s six-game winning streak, Toppin has elevated his play even further, averaging 21.6 points and 9.1 rebounds while shooting an efficient 56.8 percent from the field. His signature performance came in a four-point win over Houston last weekend, when he poured in 31 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, shooting 50 percent from the floor while playing all 40 minutes. Toppin’s combination of production, physicality, and consistency has fueled Texas Tech’s rise in the Big 12.
Freshman of the Week
AJ Dybantsa, BYU
AJ Dybantsa continues to dominate as one of the nation’s premier freshmen, maintaining his push toward top pick conversation. He currently ranks second nationally in scoring at 23.6 points per game while adding 6.8 rebounds per contest. BYU’s top-15 standing is largely driven by Dybantsa’s nightly production. In last weekend’s win over Utah, he delivered a historic outing, breaking the BYU freshman scoring record with 43 points on 62.5 percent shooting from the field and 80 percent from three in 36 minutes. His blend of scoring versatility, confidence, and efficiency has made him one of the most dangerous offensive players in the country.
Who’s Hot
Milan Momcilovic, Iowa State
Milan Momcilovic has been the engine behind Iowa State’s rise to No. 8 in the national rankings. The Cyclones’ leading scorer is averaging 18.8 points per game while shooting 55 percent from the floor and an elite 54.1 percent from three, all in just under 30 minutes per night. Momcilovic was especially dominant last week, averaging 24.5 points and 4.5 rebounds while shooting 62.5 percent overall and 50 percent from deep, helping Iowa State secure two conference victories. His efficiency and spacing continue to make him a matchup problem.
Texas Tech Red Raiders
Texas Tech remains one of the hottest teams in the country, sitting No. 11 nationally and No. 2 in the Big 12. The Red Raiders are riding a five-game winning streak following a four-point home win over top-10 Houston. After a shaky early stretch that saw them drop two of their first six games, Texas Tech has now won 11 of its last 13. With multiple high-level contributors and strong guard play, the Red Raiders are positioning themselves as legitimate conference title contenders heading into February.
Who’s Not
Baylor Bears
Projected by many to finish around the middle of the Big 12, Baylor has struggled mightily in conference play. The Bears have won just one of their first seven league games and currently sit at 11–8 overall. They are riding a three-game conference losing streak and have dropped six of their last seven games overall, including a seven-point home loss to TCU. While the schedule lightens briefly, Baylor faces five ranked opponents in February, making the margin for error extremely slim.
Tounde Yessoufou, Baylor
A highly touted five-star recruit, Yessoufou entered the season with expectations of leading Baylor. While he is averaging 17.7 points per game on 48.8 percent shooting, his struggles in marquee matchups have been notable. Last week against TCU, he posted 21 points and eight rebounds on 10 shot attempts, but Baylor still fell by seven. In his previous three games against ranked opponents, Yessoufou averaged just 10 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.3 turnovers while shooting 28.2 percent from the field and 20 percent from three. Baylor lost all three of those contests by double digits, underscoring the need for greater consistency from its lead scorer.
Top Five Big 12 Point Guards
1. Darryn Peterson, Kansas
Peterson has established himself as the top guard in the country, not just the Big 12. Though he has played only 10 games this season, his impact has been undeniable. He is averaging 21.6 points and 4.6 rebounds while shooting 49.3 percent from the field. Over the past week, Peterson averaged 21 points and four rebounds while shooting 60.7 percent overall and 66.6 percent from three, leading Kansas to two wins, including a dominant 21-point home victory over then-No. 2 Iowa State.
2. Kingston Flemings, Houston
Flemings has been one of the breakout guards in college basketball this season, leading Houston with 17 points and 5.2 assists per game. Once viewed as a fringe lottery prospect, his recent surge has pushed him firmly into top-five draft discussions. Over his latest stretch, Flemings averaged 31 points and seven assists while shooting 57.5 percent from the field and 41.6 percent from deep. His defining performance came in a four-point road loss to Texas Tech, where he erupted for 42 points and six rebounds on 26 shots.
3. Christian Anderson, Texas Tech
Anderson has been a driving force behind Texas Tech’s success, averaging 19.8 points and a team-high 7.4 assists per game while shooting 48.3 percent from the field and 40 percent from three. Over the Red Raiders’ five-game winning streak, he has elevated his production to 20.2 points and 7.4 assists per game, logging 40 minutes in three of those contests. His steady playmaking was critical in the four-point win over Houston, where he tallied 12 points and nine assists in a full 40-minute effort.
4. Jaden Bradley, Arizona
One of the more under-the-radar seniors in the country, Bradley serves as the engine behind the nation’s No. 1 team. He averages 13.5 points and 4.5 assists while shooting nearly 49 percent from the floor and 42.4 percent from three. Bradley’s leadership, pace control, and efficiency allow Arizona’s talented roster to function at a high level on a nightly basis.
5. Tamin Lipsey, Iowa State
A veteran leader for Iowa State, Lipsey continues to impact winning in multiple ways. The senior is averaging 13.2 points, 5.4 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game while shooting 45.9 percent from the floor. Though his scoring dipped last week to nine points per game, he still averaged 5.5 assists and four rebounds over 32 minutes, helping guide the Cyclones to two conference wins.