Big ⁣12 Report Cards: Houston,BYU,Texas⁣ Tech⁢ Earn⁤ Top Marks

⁣ ⁤ Updated ⁤May 21,2025

As the college basketball season transitions to 2025-26,evaluations of team performances are underway. Following assessments of the Big East,⁣ Big Ten, and ACC, the Big 12 Conference is now‍ under review. Each of the 16 teams receives a grade based on preseason expectations and⁢ consideration of ‍unforeseen⁢ circumstances.

Strong teams that performed well receive ⁤high marks, while underperforming teams are graded accordingly. the evaluation considers preseason expectations and any midseason ⁣challenges teams faced.

BYU earned an A for their performance.Despite being projected to ⁢finish 10th in the Big 12 preseason poll,⁣ first-year coach Kevin Young led the Cougars⁤ to a‍ successful season. Boosted by Richie Saunders,who averaged 16.5 points per game, and freshman Egor Demin, BYU achieved‍ an eight-game winning streak ⁢to end the regular season. Their⁣ offense propelled them to ⁤the Sweet 16 ‍for the first time in over a decade.

Houston also received an‍ A. Coach Kelvin Sampson guided the Cougars to a 35-5 season, including a Final Four victory over Duke. Key players such as L.J. Cryer, Milos⁢ uzan, and J’Wan Roberts ⁣contributed to a team that dominated for much of ⁤the ⁣season. Even though they lost⁤ to Florida in the national championship game after holding a late lead,houston’s overall ⁣performance ‍was⁢ extraordinary.

Texas Tech secured an A grade. Coach ⁣Grant McCasland led the‍ Red Raiders to one of their best seasons, finishing second in the Big 12 after being picked seventh in the preseason poll. Despite an Elite Eight ⁢loss to Florida, where they held a notable lead ⁤late in the game, Texas Tech proved to be a legitimate championship⁣ contender. JT Toppin earned AP⁣ second-team All-American honors.

West Virginia also earned an A. Darian DeVries, in his first season with ⁢the Mountaineers before departing for Indiana, led ‍the team through significant challenges. despite Tucker DeVries’ injury, Javon small ⁣stepped up, earning All-American honorable mention and leading West Virginia⁢ to wins ‍over Gonzaga, Arizona, Kansas, and Iowa⁢ State.⁢ The Mountaineers were considered a major snub on Selection Sunday.

What’s next

the evaluation⁤ series concludes next Wednesday ‍with grades for the SEC, completing the assessment of major college basketball conferences for the 2024-25 season.