Oklahoma State Named Preseason Big 12 Favorite

Big 12 coaches ranked Oklahoma State first, followed by TCU in the conference's preseason basketball poll.

Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Basketball

Oklahoma State Named Preseason Big 12 Favorite

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Oklahoma State has been selected as the preseason favorite in the Big 12 women's basketball poll after receiving 215 points from league coaches. TCU followed in second place with 212 points and six first-place votes.

Why it matters

These preseason rankings establish early expectations for conference competition as teams prepare for the upcoming basketball season. Individual honors highlight top performers who are expected to drive team success across the Big 12.

Oklahoma State earned seven first-place votes to secure the top spot in the league poll. TCU, the runner-up, holds the distinction of having previously secured back-to-back Big 12 regular-season championships.

The players

Oklahoma State

This is a university athletic program competing in the Big 12 Conference.

TCU

This is a university athletic program known for recent success in Big 12 basketball.

Audi Crooks

This athlete was named the preseason Big 12 Player of the Year.

Jessie-May Hall

This athlete earned the title of preseason Big 12 Freshman of the Year.

Clara Silva

This athlete stands 6-foot-7 and earned a spot on the preseason All-Big 12 team.

The details

Coaches also honored individual athletes, selecting Audi Crooks as Player of the Year and Liv McGill as Newcomer of the Year. Jessie-May Hall, who averaged 19.6 points and 5.2 assists, was named Freshman of the Year, while 6-foot-7 Clara Silva earned a spot on the preseason All-Big 12 team.

November 3, 2026: TCU opens its season against Oral Roberts.
December 20, 2026: TCU begins conference play against Cincinnati.

Season Trajectory

The coaches' poll identifies the current hierarchy within the Big 12, dictating the narrative for the upcoming title race. This ranking sets expectations for whether legacy programs like TCU can maintain their competitive standing against rising contenders like Oklahoma State.

The poll results establish the baseline expectations for the upcoming conference race. Investors in team performance and fantasy analysts can use these rankings to calibrate projections for player impact and season-long success.

The takeaway

These rankings provide a snapshot of current conference strength as determined by league coaches. Observers should track how these preseason selections compare to actual team performance as the season progresses through the December conference openers.