South Dakota State Jackrabbits vs. Arizona Wildcats: Game Highlights (1:17)South Dakota State Jackrabbits vs. Arizona Wildcats: Game Highlights (1:17)
Joe LunardiJan 2, 2026, 09:00 AM ETClose Resident college basketball bracketologist for ESPN Contributor to SportsCenter, ESPN Insider Published first public bracket in 1995Follow on X
It took a truly unprecedented season from the SEC to dethrone the Big 12 as the top conference in college basketball in 2024-25. The SEC remains fabulous, but no longer historic, and now the Big 12 has a realistic shot to regain its crown in 2025-26.
It doesn’t hurt that two of the four projected No. 1 seeds as the calendar flips to a new year, Arizona and Iowa State, have raced to their lofty perch with a combined 26-0 record. That’s after being picked fourth and fifth in the Big 12 preseason poll, respectively. BYU and star freshman AJ Dybantsa are predictably dangerous, leaving preseason No. 1 Houston as an under the radar national title contender.
And we have yet to mention Kansas and injured freshman Darryn Peterson, or Texas Tech and AP preseason All-America selection JT Toppin. If either or both can come close to the conference’s top four, the Big 12 could set a new bar.
Arizona, along with Michigan, has been on another level all season. But any of these four could not only reach the Final Four, but win it all. Houston is especially itchy to avenge its loss to Florida in last season’s national championship game.
Picked third and sixth, respectively, in the Big 12 preseason poll, neither Texas Tech nor Kansas quite lived up to expectations during nonconference play. Still, it wouldn’t be surprising if either reaches the Sweet 16.
Baylor is the most likely of this bunch, but the conference’s coattails could be long enough to propel one or two more into the bracket.
Johnny Dawkins has quietly led UCF to an 11-1 record heading into its conference opener, with its only loss coming vs. an unbeaten Vanderbilt team. It can make an enormous statement when Kansas comes to Orlando on Saturday.
Colorado’s loss to Northern Colorado and Cincinnati’s defeat to Eastern Michigan stand out for the wrong reasons. West Virginia, meanwhile, lacks a signature win.
Utah hasn’t been close to the tournament since 2020 or actually made the field in a decade. First-year coach Alex Jensen is going to need some time.
South Dakota State Jackrabbits vs. Arizona Wildcats: Game Highlights (1:17)South Dakota State Jackrabbits vs. Arizona Wildcats: Game Highlights (1:17)
Arizona Wildcats Iowa State Cyclones BYU Cougars Houston Cougars
Baylor Bears Oklahoma State Cowboys Arizona State Sun Devils TCU Horned Frogs Kansas State Wildcats
Colorado Buffaloes West Virginia Mountaineers Cincinnati Bearcats
South Dakota State Jackrabbits vs. Arizona Wildcats: Game Highlights (1:17)
Close Resident college basketball bracketologist for ESPN Contributor to SportsCenter, ESPN Insider Published first public bracket in 1995Follow on X
Feb.7: Houston at BYU (ESPN). Anyone discounting either set of Cougars does so at their own risk.
March 2: Iowa State at Arizona (ESPN). The only scheduled meeting between projected 1-seeds.
