Entering the season, the Big 12 was considered the best men’s basketball conference in America. Hands down. No contest. Now, with conference tournaments beginning — the Big 12’s is next week in Kansas City,

Mar 3, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Cougars forward J'Wan Roberts (13) and Kansas Jayhawks guard Zeke Mayo (5) and center Hunter Dickinson (1) battle for a loose ball during the second half at Fertitta Center. / Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Two straight losses without leading in 80 minutes is uncharted territory for Kansas, which is at a low point in this week’s Big 12 power rankings.

A few weeks ago, while preparing to be the sideline reporter on an Arizona State-Texas Tech game, I was asked by a producer whom I believed should be the Big 12 Player of the Year. I had to think for a second.

Award season is around the corner, so here's a look at the cases for Texas Tech basketball's JT Toppin and Grant McCasland to earn the Big 12's highest honors.

Texas Tech has built one of the best basketball teams in the nation this season. Grant McCasland’s group looks like it could potentially contend for a national championship after navigating a very difficult Big 12 slate with relative ease.