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The Daily Wildcat

The Daily Wildcat

 

Pac-12 power rankings: Wildcats and Utes face off in big contest this weekend

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Tyler Baker
Tyler Baker / The Daily Wildcat

1. No. 7 Arizona (24-3, 12-2 Pac-12 Conference)

Utah’s loss to Oregon robbed the de facto Pac-12 championship game of some of its luster, but it was certainly good for the Wildcats. Arizona could potentially win the championship this week. Even with a loss to Utah, it would own the tiebreaker if Oregon stays in third, since Arizona went 2-0 against the Ducks, and the Utes are 0-1 against them.

Last week: First, W vs. USC 87-57, W vs. UCLA 57-47

This week: at Colorado (12-14, 5-9), at No. 13 Utah (21-5, 11-3)

2. No. 13 Utah (21-5, 11-3)

The Utes escaped Oregon State with a win (unlike Arizona) but lost to Oregon (unlike Arizona). The Wildcats beat the Ducks 90-56 in Tucson and 80-62 in Eugene, Ore. Ouch.

Last week: Second, W at Oregon State 47-37, L at Oregon 69-58

This week: vs. ASU (15-12, 7-7), vs. No. 7 Arizona (24-3, 12-2)

3. Oregon (20-8, 10-5)

Why doesn’t anyone want this third spot? Stanford gave up on it and now UCLA, but the Ducks were more than happy to slide in here after their win over Utah.

Last week: Fifth, W vs. Colorado 73-60, W vs. Utah 69-58

This week: at California (16-11, 6-8), at Stanford (17-9, 8-6)

4. Stanford (17-9, 8-6)

The Cardinal rebounded with a win over archrival Cal and now appears to be back in the tournament. Stanford is a 12 seed and the last team in on bracketmatrix.com — interestingly, right above fellow nerd Harvard.

Last week: Fourth, W vs. California 72-61

This week: vs. Oregon State (17-10, 8-7), vs. Oregon (20-8, 10-5)

5. UCLA (16-12, 8-7)

The Bruins may have seen their NCAA tournament chances dry up in the desert. UCLA slipped out of the tournament, according to the Bracket Matrix.

Last week: Third, L at ASU 68-66, L at Arizona 57-47

This week: vs. Washington (15-11, 4-10), vs. Washington State (11-15, 5-9)

6. ASU (15-12, 7-7)

It was a great week for the Sun Devils, winners of seven of their last 10. They upset the Bruins, busted the Trojans, moved on to the Big Dance’s radar and retired James Harden’s jersey. Now, if only Harden would shave that stupid beard or play defense…

Last week: Seventh, W vs. UCLA 68-66, W vs. USC 64-59

This week: at No. 13 Utah (21-5, 11-3), at Colorado (12-14, 5-9)

7. Oregon State (17-10, 8-7)

The Beavers finally lost a home game, falling to then-No. 9 Utah. Oregon State could only manage an embarrassing 37 points as UA and Utah became the last two Pac-12 teams to be undefeated at home.

Last week: Sixth, L vs. Utah 47-37, W vs. Colorado 72-58

This week: at Stanford (17-9, 8-6), at California (16-11, 6-8)

8. California (16-11, 6-8)

After losing six-straight and then winning five straight, the Golden Bears look like they could lose six in a row to close out the season. Cal lost to Stanford and close out with the Oregon schools and the Arizona schools.

Last week: Eighth, L at Stanford 72-61

This week: vs. Oregon (20-8, 10-5), vs. Oregon State (17-10, 8-7) 

9. Colorado (12-14, 5-9)

The Buffaloes beat Stanford at home two weekends ago but have lost nine of their last 12 games. Arizona should crush Colorado, but it’s quite the trap game and just the kind of team the Wildcats tend to overlook.

Last week: Ninth, L at Oregon 73-60, L at Oregon State 72-58

This week: vs. No. 7 Arizona (24-3, 12-2), vs. ASU (15-12, 7-7)

10. Washington (15-11, 4-10)

The Huskies snapped their seven-game losing streak by winning at rival Washington State. I suppose someone had to win that game, and for his efforts, the awesomely named Andrew Andrews won Pac-12 Player of the Week.

Last week: 12th, W at Washington State 87-84

This week: at UCLA (16-12, 8-7), at USC (10-17, 2-13)

11. Washington State (11-15, 5-9)

Not only do the Cougars have the ugliest logo in the Pac-12, they also lost the toilet bowl game to Washington. A WSU season-high crowd of 5,567 watched that mess, which begs the question: How many people will pay to see Wazzu play USC?

Last week: 10th, L vs. Washington 87-84

This week: at USC (10-17, 2-13), at UCLA (16-12, 8-7)

12. USC (10-17, 2-13)

It was another bad week for the Trojans, who lost by 30 at Arizona, sent three players home for violating team rules and blew a 10-point, second-half lead at ASU. Starter Katin Reinhardt (along with two walk-ons) were sent back to Troy. Maybe Reinhardt just wanted to see high school teammate Stanley Johnson.

Last week: 11th, L at Arizona 87-57, L at ASU 64-59

This week: vs. Washington State (11-15, 5-9), vs. Washington (15-11, 4-10)

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Follow James Kelley on Twitter.

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