One

No. 5 Baylor 20-1 [8-0]

This week: at Oklahoma State, Texas Tech

Last week was one of highs and lows for the Bears. Although they dominated fellow Big 12 unbeaten Kansas State in Manhattan to take sole possession of first, Baylor must now play the remainder of the year without junior guard Jhasmin Player after a torn ACL. Player was averaging 12.2 points, six rebounds and almost four assists while serving as a team captain. Time will tell how much her injury will affect Baylor, but she will be sorely missed.

Two

No. 18 Kansas State 15-6 [7-1]

This week: Kansas

The Wildcats will get a full week to digest their first conference setback. Though losing to Baylor did not end their hopes of a Big 12 Championship, Kansas State cannot afford any more losses at home—especially to a team struggling as much as its in-state rivals. The Wildcats are still favored to win the Big 12 North. The only true tests between now and the Big 12 Tournament are matchups with Oklahoma and Nebraska in Manhattan.

Three

No. 10 Oklahoma 15-4 [5-2]

This week: at Missouri, Colorado

After having an off-night against Kansas last Wednesday and nearly ending her streak of consecutive double-doubles, junior center Courtney Paris was back to her usual self against Texas. Paris dropped 20 points and 12 rebounds on the Longhorns and nearly recorded a triple-double with eight blocks. Neither Missouri or Colorado have the firepower to slow her down and two wins should be easy for an Oklahoma team that seems to have hit its stride at just the right time.

Four

No. 17 Oklahoma State 17-3 [5-2]

This week: Baylor, at Nebraska

The Cowgirls can count on sophomore guard Andrea Riley to take them as far as her 5-foot-5 frame can carry them. Last week, Riley was one of 31 players named to the 2008 Naismith Trophy midseason list and followed that up with yet another stellar performance against Colorado. Her 30 points, nine rebounds and seven assists helped give Oklahoma State a crucial away victory. Things won’t get any easier with Baylor traveling to Stillwater this week, but with Riley at the point anything is possible.

Five

Nebraska 16-6 [5-3]

This week: at Colorado, Oklahoma State

This week will decide if Nebraska can put itself in position to challenge K-State for Big 12 north honors. If they can escape this week at 7-3, the Cornhuskers can hope the Wildcats falter down the line. A two point loss in Lincoln last Wednesday to Kansas State was disappointing, but this week’s Big 12 Player of the Week, junior forward Kelsey Griffin, gives Nebraska the chance to win in any game they play.

Six

No. 7 Texas A&M 16-6 [4-4]

This week: Texas

After starting 1-4, the Aggies are back in the hunt for a top-half finish in the Big 12. Although three straight victories is a sign of better things to come, they weren’t exactly playing the crème de la crème of the league. Kansas, Missouri and Texas Tech are teams that an extremely talented, but underachieving Texas A&M squad should beat nearly every time. The conference will get a better idea if they have turned their season around when the Aggies welcome Texas to College Station on Saturday.

Seven

No. 6 Texas 15-7 [3-5]

This week: at Texas A&M

The Longhorns must have been disappointed at the result of last week’s Red River Shootout. After losing to Baylor by one in Waco just days before, Courtney Paris and Oklahoma came to Austin to dominate Texas. The Sooners shot 55 percent from the field to the Longhorn’s 31 percent. Sophomore phenomenon Brittainey Raven never got comfortable on offense, which her 3-12 shooting proved. A win against the Aggies would go a long way to restoring the Longhorn’s confidence.

Eight

No. 10 Kansas 13-8 [2-6]

This week: at Kansas State

After losing handily to Oklahoma last Wednesday, Kansas bounced back at home with a win over Iowa State. The catalyst? Freshman center Krysten Boogaard’s inspired play. Boogaard captured Rookie of the Week honors for two solid performances, including a 20 point, 12 rebound and three block effort against the Cyclones. The hope in Lawrence is her emergence in the post will open up opportunities for sophomore guards Sade Morris and Danielle McCray. McCray in particular needs to find a way to take more high-percentage shots instead of settling for guarded jumpers.

Nine

No. 11 Iowa State 13-7 [2-5]

This week: Texas Tech, Missouri

The Cyclones will be disappointed to leave Lawrence without a win that was definitely within their grasp. The good news is Iowa State’s schedule for the upcoming week is by far the easiest in the conference. Two games at home against teams a combined 3-13 in the Big 12 could be just what the Cyclones need to get close to .500. Kansas’ perimeter defense swarmed Iowa State’s shooters off the three-point line, but Texas Tech and Missouri have arguably the two worst defenses in the conference, so expect good nights from behind the arc.

Ten

No. 8 Texas Tech 14-7 [2-5]

This week: at Iowa State, at Baylor

The Lady Raiders are maddeningly inconsistent. It doesn’t seem to matter if they play at home or on the road, or even who the opponent is. They are the only Big 12 team to lose to Missouri, yet the Lady Raiders played a close game with Baylor and beat Texas. On the other hand, Oklahoma, Kansas State and Texas A&M have all blown out Texas Tech. A win at Iowa State will go a long way towards achieving consistency.

Eleven

No. 9 Colorado 13-8 [2-6]

This week: Nebraska, at Oklahoma

After beating Kansas in Boulder on Jan. 22, Colorado has lost three consecutive games by an average of 16 points per game. That streak included losses to Texas Tech and Iowa State. There will be no respite for the Buffaloes this week with a difficult game against the Cornhuskers followed by a daunting trip to Norman. A win at home against Nebraska is a possibility, but Oklahoma has notified the Big 12 that a win at the Lloyd Noble Center will be almost impossible to accomplish.

Twelve

No. 12 Missouri 8-13 [1-7]

This week: Oklahoma, at Iowa State

Missouri welcomes the Courtney Paris show to Columbia on Wednesday. If last year’s game is any indication, the Tigers could be in for a long night against Paris. Last year in Norman, the country’s most dominant post player scored 33 points and landed 21 rebounds to lead the Sooners to a comfortable 72-57 victory in which the Tigers were out-rebounded by 21. Don’t expect much different this week.

—Edited by Nick Mangiaracina