With Big 12 men’s basketball conference play starting this coming Friday, it’s time to take a look at where teams currently stand. This ranks teams as they are right now (so Baylor without Terry Maston, for example) not where they will end up after conference play. It goes without saying, this is going to be another grueling lineup of very talented teams. As it stands, any of these squads have the ability to make the tournament with a decent conference showing. I think as many as 8 teams could make it to the big dance this year. But enough looking ahead, here’s how things stand right now, the weekend before conference play:

#1 Oklahoma (10-1)

Best Win: @ #3 Wichita State

Worst Loss: Arkansas

Player to Watch: Trae Young

#2 West Virginia (10-1)

Best Win: #15 Virginia

Worst Loss: #25 Texas A&M

Player to Watch: Jevon Carter

#3 Kansas (10-2)

Best Win: #7 Kentucky

Worst Loss: Washington

Player to Watch: Lagerald Vick

#4 Baylor (10-2)

Best Win: Creighton

Worst Loss: @ #21 Xavier

Player to Watch: Jo Lual-Acuil Jr.

#5 TCU (12-0)

Best Win: #22 Nevada

Worst Loss: n/a

Player to Watch: Kenrich Williams

#6 Texas Tech (11-1)

Best Win: #22 Nevada

Worst Loss: Seton Hall

Player to Watch: Keenan Evans

#7 Oklahoma State (10-2)

Best Win: #19 Florida State

Worst Loss: #16 Texas A&M

Player to Watch: Jeffrey Carroll

#8 Kansas State (10-2)

Best Win: @ Washington State

Worst Loss: Tulsa

Player to Watch: Dean Wade

#9 Texas (9-3)

Best Win: @ Alabama

Worst Loss: Michigan

Player to Watch: Mohamed Bamba

#10 Iowa State (9-2)

Best Win: Boise State

Worst Loss: Milwaukee

Player to Watch: Lindell Wigginton

Agree? Disagree? How would you rank the field right now? Let us know in the comments. Sic ‘em!