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Pac-12 men's basketball power rankings: Arizona on top but No. 1 tourney seed up for grabs

chris hansen, eugene register-guard
·4 min read
Arizona guard Kylan Boswell celebrates after a 3-point basket against Oregon during the first half at McKale Center, Saturday, March 2.
Arizona guard Kylan Boswell celebrates after a 3-point basket against Oregon during the first half at McKale Center, Saturday, March 2.

The Pac-12 men’s basketball tournament begins on March 13 in Las Vegas and all 12 seeds are still undecided as the conference enters its final week of the regular season.

For sure, Arizona and Washington State will get the top two seeds, though which will land No. 1 remains to be seen.

Oregon and Colorado are closing in on seeds No. 3 and No. 4, thus ensuring a first-round bye. They will play each other Thursday night in Eugene.

But there is still much to be worked out with two games left on the schedule for most of the teams.

Here are the latest Pac-12 men's basketball power rankings — which mirror the actual standings heading into the final week of conference play.

1. Arizona

Last week: 2

What to know: After some midseason setbacks, the Wildcats (14-4, 23-6) have been on a roll. They’ve won nine of their last 10 games and are averaging 92 points during that stretch with an average margin of victory at 19 points.

2. Washington State

Last week: 1

What to know: The Cougars (23-7, 14-5) can still get the No. 1 seed, but they’ll need some help. WSU needs to beat Washington at home on Thursday and then hope that UCLA or USC can knock off Arizona during its LA road swing. The Cougars hold the tiebreaker against the Wildcats thanks to their season sweep.

Oregon guard Jermaine Couisnard reacts during the second half as the Ducks beat Oregon State on Feb. 28.
Oregon guard Jermaine Couisnard reacts during the second half as the Ducks beat Oregon State on Feb. 28.

3. Oregon

Last week: 3

What to know: The Ducks (19-10, 11-7) are 6-7 since Jan. 18 — including a 20-point loss to Arizona on Saturday — but can lockup third place in the standings with wins against Colorado and Utah this week at Matthew Knight Arena.

4. Colorado

Last week: 5

What to know: The Buffaloes (20-9, 11-7) have won four straight and will get their chance to take sole possession of third place in the standings if they can extend that streak to five with a game against Oregon on Thursday. But Colorado, which is 16-1 at home, has to play its final weekend on the road.

Utah's Deivon Smith dunks against Stanford during the second half at Jon M. Huntsman Center on Feb. 29.
Utah's Deivon Smith dunks against Stanford during the second half at Jon M. Huntsman Center on Feb. 29.

5. Utah

Last week: 8

What to know: Home wins against Cal and Stanford last weekend have kept the Utes (18-11, 9-9) in the running for a top-four seed, though they’ll also need some help. They could potentially go into Saturday’s finale against Oregon with a tournament bye on the line.

6. UCLA

Last week: 4

What to know: Two weeks ago, the Bruins (14-15, 9-9) were the hottest team in the conference and in the mix for a top-four seed. Now they’ve lost four straight heading into Thursday’s game against Arizona.

Washington State forward Jaylen Wells (0) deflects a pass intended for UCLA guard Brandon Williams (5) in the first half on March 2.
Washington State forward Jaylen Wells (0) deflects a pass intended for UCLA guard Brandon Williams (5) in the first half on March 2.

7. California

Last week: 6

What to know: The Golden Bears (13-17, 9-10) had been climbing in the standings until losses to Colorado and Utah last weekend guaranteed them an opening day game at the Pac-12 Tournament. They still have a chance to even their conference record in the season finale against Stanford on Thursday.

8. Arizona State

Last week: 7

What to know: The Sun Devils (14-15, 8-10) have lost three of their last four and end the season in Los Angeles against UCLA and USC. They’re destined to play on the first day of the Pac-12 Tournament, though with so many teams jumbled together in the middle of the standings, their seeding won't be known until Saturday.

9. Washington

Last week: 9

What to know: The Huskies (16-14, 8-11) have one game left but it’s a tough one as they travel to Pullman to play the Cougars. Washington nearly pulled off the upset against Washington State in Seattle a month ago, losing 90-87 in OT.

10. Stanford

Last week: 10

What to know: The Cardinal (12-17, 7-12) have lost six straight and have been without injured senior stalwart Spencer Jones for two games. They have one game remaining — against Cal on Thursday — to get a win or they’ll head into the Pac-12 Tournament carrying the conference’s longest active losing streak.

USC Trojans guard Bronny James controls the ball against Washington State in the second half at Beasley Coliseum on Feb. 29.
USC Trojans guard Bronny James controls the ball against Washington State in the second half at Beasley Coliseum on Feb. 29.

11. Southern California

Last week: 11

What to know: The Trojans (12-17, 6-12) are heating up and have gotten wins against Utah, UCLA and at Washington in the last three weeks. One more win or one more loss by Oregon State will keep them out of last place. Two more wins could jump them up to the No. 9 seed if Stanford and Washington keep losing.

12. Oregon State

Last week: 12

What to know: The only way for the Beavers (12-17, 4-14) to get out of the cellar and the inevitable No. 12 tournament seed is by beating Utah and Colorado this week, and USC losing to ASU and Arizona. That’s a tough ask for Oregon State.

Follow Chris Hansen on Twitter @chansen_RG or email at chansen@registerguard.com.

This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Pac-12 men's basketball power rankings: Arizona on top, Oregon hangs on