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Pac-12 men's basketball power rankings: Arizona and Washington State headed for a showdown

chris hansen, eugene register-guard
·4 min read
Arizona guard Caleb Love (2) makes a 3-pointer against Arizona State and then celebrates with the Wildcats bench by signaling a forks down during the first half at McKale Center.
Arizona guard Caleb Love (2) makes a 3-pointer against Arizona State and then celebrates with the Wildcats bench by signaling a forks down during the first half at McKale Center.

The best game of the season thus far will take place Thursday at McKale Center in Tucson when Arizona hosts Washington State in a showdown between the top two men’s basketball teams in the Pac-12.

A victory by the first-place Wildcats (20-5, 11-3) will put them solidly in line for the regular-season conference title and the No. 1 seed in the upcoming Pac-12 Tournament.

But don't count out the surprising second-place Cougars (20-6, 11-4), who have already defeated Arizona once this season — 73-70 on Jan. 13 in Pullman.

Here are the latest Pac-12 men's basketball power rankings heading into what should be an entertaining week for the conference.

1. Arizona

Last week: 1

What to know: The Wildcats walloped Arizona State 105-60 Saturday for their sixth straight win. It was the largest margin of victory in the 246-game history between the two in-state rivals. The win was also the 81st for coach Tommy Lloyd — the most in major-conference history by a coach in his first three seasons at a school.

Washington State Cougars guard Myles Rice (2) runs the baseline against California Golden Bears forward Grant Newell (14) in the second half at Friel Court at Beasley Coliseum Feb. 15, 2024, in Pullman, Washington. Washington State Cougars won 84-65.
Washington State Cougars guard Myles Rice (2) runs the baseline against California Golden Bears forward Grant Newell (14) in the second half at Friel Court at Beasley Coliseum Feb. 15, 2024, in Pullman, Washington. Washington State Cougars won 84-65.

2. Washington State

Last week: 2

What to know: The Cougars are 10-1 since Jan. 10 and have won seven straight. The last time WSU had a stretch of 10-1 or better in conference play was 1940-41 when they went 13-1 in the Pacific Coast Conference.

Oregon Ducks center N'Faly Dante (1) reacts after defeating the Oregon State Beavers on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024 at Gill Coliseum in Corvallis, Ore. The final score of the game was 60-58.
Oregon Ducks center N'Faly Dante (1) reacts after defeating the Oregon State Beavers on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024 at Gill Coliseum in Corvallis, Ore. The final score of the game was 60-58.

3. Oregon

Last week: 4

What to know: The Ducks (17-8,  9-5) have a big week coming up with their road trip to the Bay Area to play California and Stanford. Oregon has had success on the road this season and are 4-3 as visitors during Pac-12 play, including a win at Washington State.

4. UCLA

Last week: 3

What to know: The Bruins (14-12, 9-6) had their six-game winning streak snapped by Utah on Sunday in a last-second 70-69 loss at Pauley Pavilion. The loss dropped UCLA into fourth place in the Pac-12 standings, but just a half-game behind Oregon.

Colorado Buffaloes guard KJ Simpson (2) gestures in the second half against the Arizona Wildcats at CU Events Center Feb. 10, 2024, in Boulder, Colorado.
Colorado Buffaloes guard KJ Simpson (2) gestures in the second half against the Arizona Wildcats at CU Events Center Feb. 10, 2024, in Boulder, Colorado.

5. Colorado

Last week: 5

What to know: The Buffaloes (17-9, 8-7) rallied from a 16-point deficit in the final 10 minutes of regulation to beat USC in double overtime on Saturday as Colorado won for just the second time on the road during Pac-12 play. Next up is a game this Saturday against Utah at home, where the Buffaloes are 13-1 this season.

6. Utah

Last week: 7

What to know: Branden Carlson’s put-back layup with less than a second to play Sunday against UCLA got the Utes (16-10, 7-8) their first road win of the Pac-12 season. It also came on a night the 7-foot center became Utah’s all-time leader in games played (135), while his 17 points moved him into a tie for eighth all-time at 1,701.

California guard Jalen Celestine (32) makes a 3-pointer in front of Washington forward Keion Brooks Jr. (1) during the second half at Alaska Airlines Arena.
California guard Jalen Celestine (32) makes a 3-pointer in front of Washington forward Keion Brooks Jr. (1) during the second half at Alaska Airlines Arena.

7. California

Last week: 8

What to know: The Golden Bears (11-15, 7-8) are 5-3 over the last month and continue to play teams tight right up to the final buzzer. California has had eight games decided by one field goal or less, including Saturday against Washington when Jalen Celestine’s 3-pointer with 5 seconds to play gave the Golden Bears the 82-80 win.

8. Stanford

Last week: 6

What to know: The Cardinal (11-12, 7-8) have dropped four of five, including losses on the road to Washington and WSU last weekend as their overall record fell below .500 for the first time since December.

9. Washington

Last week: 10

What to know: The Huskies (14-12, 6-9) were on the verge of their third straight win Saturday when the Golden Bears shocked them in the final seconds. Still, Washington is 4-3 since Jan. 27 and those three losses have come by a combined 10 points.

10. Arizona State

Last week: 9

What to know: The Sun Devils (13-13, 7-8) had won two straight before a 45-point loss to Arizona last Saturday. Guard Frankie Collins continues to play hard on defense. He has 74 steals through 26 games and is closing in on the school record of 76 set in 1981.

11. Southern California

Last week: 11

What to know: The Trojans (10-16, 4-11) got a nice win last Thursday against Utah but couldn’t maintain that momentum two days later when they let a 16-point lead slip away in the final 10 minutes against Colorado. USC has talent, but they have no cohesion on the court and it’s been showing all season.

12. Oregon State

Last week: 12

What to know: The Beavers (11-15, 3-12) have lost six straight — including at home Saturday night to rival Oregon on a last-second shot for the third straight season — and their next three games are away from Gill Coliseum. Oregon State is 0-7 on the road this season.

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 as WSU looms