The Big 12 then lost two premier programs Oklahoma and Texas left for the SEC.
But with one week of the 2024-2025 women’s basketball season in the books, the conference is off to a good start. The 16 Big 12 teams have a combined record of 38-5, and four of them are ranked.
Let’s take a look at this week’s power rankings:
More: USA Today Sports Network Preseason All-Big 12 Women’s Basketball, 2024-2025 Awards
Last week: 2
This week: vs. St. Thomas-Minnesota (Thursday); in Northern Illinois (November 20)
No. 8 Iowa State has won his games by an average of 30 points and has one of the best young duos in the country. Sophomores Addy Brown and Audi Crooks have combined to average 34 points and 17.4 rebounds.
Iowa State Cyclones’ center Audi Crooks (55) celebrates with teammates during the third quarter against Southern in NCAA women’s basketball at Hilton Coliseum on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024 in Ames, Iowa.
Last week: 1
This week: vs. Creighton (Thursday); vs. Little Rock (Monday); vs. Milwaukee (November 20)
No. 11 Kansas State had no problem in the first two games against Green Bay and Belmont. And while Ayoka Lee missed the Belmont game due to an injury, she hopes she’ll be back in time for a home game against Creighton on Thursday.
Last week: 4
This week: vs. Texas A&M (Friday); vs. Bowling Green (Tuesday)
The defense was expected to be a strength for No. 13 West Virginia, but what about the offense? The Mountaineers are averaging 92.3 points this season with Jordan Harrison leading the way with an average of 19.3 points.
Last week: 5
This week: vs. North Carolina State (Sunday)
TCU broke triple figures in its 107-52 home victory over New Orleans. Few Big Threes in the country are as strong as those of Sedona Prince, Madison Conner and Hailey Van Lith.
More: USA TODAY Sports Network Preseason All-Big 12 basketball team, coach and player of the year
November 14, 2023; Waco, Texas, USA; Baylor Lady Bears guard Darianna Littlepage-Buggs (5) dribbles the ball up the court against the Utah Utes during the first half at Ferrell Center. Mandatory credit: Chris Jones-USA TODAY Sports
Last week: 3
This week: vs. East Texas A&M (Thursday); vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (Sunday)
No. 17 Baylor suffered a 76-74 road loss to Oregon, which had lost 14 straight games against ranked opponents. It’s not a great start for the Bears, but this is still a dangerous group with Darianna Littlepage-Buggs and Jada Walker in the mix.
Last week: 7
This week: at Northwestern (Thursday); vs. McNeese State (Monday)
Utah has dominated on both ends of the court so far, averaging 95.5 points per game and scoring just 49. Much of the credit goes to Gianna Kneepkens, who looks sharp after missing most of last season due to a broken foot.
Last week: 9
This week: at Chicago State (Saturday); in Northern Arizona (Wednesday)
Arizona lost five of its top six scorers this season, but returning forward Breya Cunningham has stepped up. The sophomore is loaded with averages of 13.3 points, nine rebounds, two blocks and 1.8 steals.
Last week: 11
This week: vs. Fairfield (Saturday); vs. Central Arkansas (Wednesday)
State of Oklahoma shooting an impressive 40.5% on three-pointers, and Anna Gret Asi leads the way. The senior guard is averaging 18.3 points on 42.3% shooting from deep.
More: Oklahoma State women’s basketball schedule: dates, times, TV channels for 2024-2025 season
Last week: 8
This week: vs. Omaha (Thursday); vs. North Alabama (Sunday); vs. Iowa (Wednesday)
Kansas defeated Lindenwood and Sam Houston by a disappointing average of 14 points. S’Mya Nichols scores with great efficiency, but the rest of the attack is still to come.
Last week: 10
This week: vs. Washington State (Saturday); vs. Abilene Christian (Tuesday)
Texas Tech got a mild scare in its 75-68 home win over New Mexico. But the Lady Raiders are still undefeated, thanks in large part to Jasmine Shavers, who is averaging 16 points.
Last week: 14
This week: in Idaho (Saturday); vs. McNeese State (Tuesday)
The biggest question this season was how BYU would replace the scoring production of first-team All-Big 12 forward Lauren Gustin. The answer so far has been where freshman guard Delaney Gibb, who has 19.3 points for the Cougars.
Last week: 6
This week: vs. South (Sunday); vs. Utah State (Tuesday); at Utah Tech (Wednesday)
Colorado stumbled in its 50-47 road loss to Boise State. But it can bounce back against its next three opponents, who have a combined record of 1-8.
More: Why Oklahoma State coach Jacie Hoyt says Jadyn Wooten is one of the ‘best freshmen’ in the country
Last week: 13
This week: vs. Stetson (Saturday); vs. North Florida (Tuesday)
Kaitlin Peterson appears to have found a scoring partner in true freshman guard Emely Rodriguez (15.5 points per game), and Hannah Gusters provides a presence on the glass. Those are both good signs for UCF.
Last week: 15
This week: vs. Seton Hall (Monday)
After earning an All-Big 12 honorable mention last season, Jillian Hayes has taken her game to another level. Cincinnati is off to a 3-0 start, thanks in large part to the fifth-year forward, who is averaging 20.3 points and 9.7 rebounds.
Last week: 12
This week: vs. Grand Canyon (Thursday); vs. SMU (Saturday); vs. Oregon State (Sunday)
Arizona State suffered a disappointing 100-96 home loss to Arkansas State. Scoring won’t be an issue for the Sun Devils with Tyi Skinner (23 points per game) back in the mix, but the defense needs to tighten up.
Last week: 16
This week: at Rice (Thursday); vs. Houston Christian (Sunday)
Houston entered Thursday as the only winless team in the Big 12. Still, transfer guards like Maryland’s Gigi Cooke, Louisville’s Eylia Love and Troy’s Leilani Augmon look promising.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Big 12 women’s basketball power rankings: Baylor falls after loss