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The Daily Wildcat

The Daily Wildcat

 

Pac-12 power rankings: Arizona stays up top despite defeat

ASU+mens+basketball+guard+Gerry+Blakes+%284%29+shoots+over+Arizona+forward+Stanley+Johnson+%285%29+during+Arizonas+81-78+loss+on+Saturday+at+Wells+Fargo+Arena+in+Tempe.+The+Wildcats+fell+one+spot+to+No.+7+in+the+national+rankings+and+stayed+atop+the+conference+in+our+weekly+power+rankings.
Rebecca Noble

ASU men’s basketball guard Gerry Blakes (4) shoots over Arizona forward Stanley Johnson (5) during Arizona’s 81-78 loss on Saturday at Wells Fargo Arena in Tempe. The Wildcats fell one spot to No. 7 in the national rankings and stayed atop the conference in our weekly power rankings.

1 No. 7 Arizona (20-3, 8-2 Pac-12 Conference)

The Wildcats lost to ASU, but they are still clearly leaders of the Pac. Is the loss to the Sun Devils a fluke, a sign of fatal flaws or the wake-up call they need every few weeks?

Last week: First, L at ASU 81-78

This week: at Washington (14-9, 3-8), at Washington State (10-13, 4-7)

2 No. 11 Utah (18-4, 8-2)

It was a quiet week for the Utes, who dispatched their Rocky Mountain rival. This week, it gets tougher with upper division Stanford and a resurgent California side.

Last week: Second, W at Colorado 79-51

This week: vs. Stanford (16-7, 7-4), vs. California (15-9, 5-6)

3 UCLA (14-10, 6-5)

It’s tough to move the Bruins up after they lost to Cal, which was 12th just a couple weeks ago, but they did beat fourth-place Stanford on the road. Don’t look now, but UCLA is making a run at the NCAA tournament.

Last week: Fourth, W at Stanford 69-67, L at California 64-62

This week: vs. Oregon State (16-7, 7-4), vs. Oregon (17-7, 7-4)

4 Stanford (16-7, 7-4)

Three weeks ago, the Cardinal looked like a serious contender in the Pac-12. Since then, it’s lost three games.

Last week: Third, L vs. UCLA 69-67, W vs. USC 70-62

This week: at No. 11 Utah (18-4, 8-2), at Colorado (11-11, 4-6)

5 Oregon (17-7, 7-4)

The Ducks have won three in a row and five of their last six, only losing to Arizona. Their Beaver State rivals have the same league record, but Oregon gets the edge for showing it can win on the road and for getting a victory over OSU.

Last week: Fifth, W vs. Washington 78-74, W vs. Washington State 95-72

This week: at USC (9-14, 1-10), at UCLA (14-10, 6-5)

6 Oregon State (16-7, 7-4)

The Beavers so are dam tough to beat at home. ’Nuff said.

Last week: Seventh, W vs. Washington State 55-50, W vs. Washington 64-50

This week: at UCLA (14-10, 6-5), at USC (9-14, 1-10)

7 ASU (12-11, 4-6)

The Sun Devils are on a roll — well, by their standards. After starting Pac-12 play 0-4, they’ve won a game each week for the last few weeks, including their annual win over UA head coach Sean Miller.

Last week: Ninth, W vs. Arizona 81-78

This week: at Washington State (10-13, 4-7), at Washington (14-9, 3-8)

8 California (15-9, 5-6)

Since losing six in a row and eight of their last nine, the Golden Bears won four in a row. However, their fans are an embarrassment, storming the court after they beat 12th-place USC.

Last week: 10th, W vs. USC 70-69, W vs. UCLA 64-62

This week: at Colorado (11-11, 4-6), at No. 11 Utah (18-4, 8-2)

9 Washington State  (10-13, 4-7)

Last week went as expected for Wazzu head coach Ernie Kent. The Cougars lost at Oregon State, and then his date with his ex, Oregon, didn’t go well.

Last week: Sixth, L at Oregon State 55-50, L at Oregon 95-72

This week: vs. ASU (12-11, 4-6), vs. No. 7 Arizona (20-3, 8-2)

10 Washington (14-9, 3-8)

The Huskies have lost five in a row. After matching UW head coach Lorenzo Romar’s best start, 11-0, Washington has gone 3-8. It’s about time to put these dogs to bed.

Last week: Eighth, L at Oregon 78-74, L at Oregon State 64-50

This week: vs. No. 7 Arizona (20-3, 8-2), vs. ASU (12-11, 4-6)


11 Colorado (11-11, 4-6)

The Buffaloes lost last week — but to a team they were supposed to, so they stay put. However, CU has lost six of its last eight.

Last week, 11th, L vs. Utah 79-51

This week: vs. California (15-9, 5-6), vs. Stanford (16-7, 7-4)

12 USC (9-14, 1-10)

The Trojans are clearly last, but they actually had a good week. They almost beat both Cal and Stanford, and the UC fans actually stormed the court after beating USC.

Last week: 12th, L at California 70-69, L at Stanford 70-62

This week: vs. Oregon (17-7, 7-4), vs. Oregon State (16-7, 7-4)

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