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Pac-12 men's basketball power rankings: Is Arizona still king? WSU Cougars continue rise

chris hansen, eugene register-guard
·4 min read
Washington State Cougars forward Isaac Jones (13) celebrates after a play against the Colorado Buffaloes in the second half at Friel Court at Beasley Coliseum Jan. 27, 2024, in Pullman, Washington. Washington State won 78-69.
Washington State Cougars forward Isaac Jones (13) celebrates after a play against the Colorado Buffaloes in the second half at Friel Court at Beasley Coliseum Jan. 27, 2024, in Pullman, Washington. Washington State won 78-69.

Arizona has more Pac-12 wins and more overall wins than any other conference team as the final full month of the regular season plays out.

But are the Wildcats really the best team in the Pac-12?

Right now, Washington State is making a strong case to be No. 1 in the Pac-12 men's basketball power rankings. The Cougars are 18-6 overall and in second place in the standings at 9-4. They’ve won eight of their last nine, including a victory against the Wildcats in Pullman on Jan. 13.

The rematch in Tucson is coming on Feb. 22, a game that could give the winner the lead heading into the Pac-12 Tournament.

Here's how the latest Pac-12 men's basketball power rankings shake out.

1. Arizona

Last week: 1

What to know: So much for home-court advantage. The Wildcats (19-5, 10-3) handed both Utah and Colorado their first home losses of the season this past weekend as Arizona’s win streak grew to five games. They survived a three-overtime thriller to beat the Utes 105-99, and routed the Buffaloes 99-79. The Wildcats have scored 90 or more in 14 games this season.

Arizona Wildcats forward Keshad Johnson (16) dunks the ball in the second half against the Colorado Buffaloes at CU Events Center Feb. 10, 2024, in Boulder, Colorado.
Arizona Wildcats forward Keshad Johnson (16) dunks the ball in the second half against the Colorado Buffaloes at CU Events Center Feb. 10, 2024, in Boulder, Colorado.

2. Washington State

Last week: 3

What to know: The Cougars have their best record through 24 games since the 2007-08 season and are coming off their first road sweep of Oregon and Oregon State since 2008-09. Saturday was their first win at the Ducks’ Matthew Knight Arena with a crowd in attendance. Their only other win in the building since it opened in 2011 was during the 2020-21 season when fans weren’t allowed due to COVID-19.

UCLA Bruins guard Dylan Andrews (2) drives to the basket between California Golden Bears defenders Fardaws Aimaq (00) and Jaylon Tyson (20) during the second half at Haas Pavilion Feb. 10, 2024, in Berkeley, California.
UCLA Bruins guard Dylan Andrews (2) drives to the basket between California Golden Bears defenders Fardaws Aimaq (00) and Jaylon Tyson (20) during the second half at Haas Pavilion Feb. 10, 2024, in Berkeley, California.

3. UCLA

Last week: 4

What to know: One month ago the Bruins (13-11, 8-5) lost for the eighth time in nine games in a 90-44 beatdown by Utah. Now they’ve won seven of eight and five straight to climb into a tie for third place in the conference standings with Oregon.

Oregon guard Jackson Shelstad passes off the ball as the Oregon Ducks host the Washington State Cougars Saturday Feb. 10, 2024 at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Ore.
Oregon guard Jackson Shelstad passes off the ball as the Oregon Ducks host the Washington State Cougars Saturday Feb. 10, 2024 at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Ore.

4. Oregon

Last week: 2

What to know: The Ducks (16-8, 8-5) haven’t won back-to-back games since opening conference play at 5-0. Freshman point guard Jackson Shelstad, who was superb in December and January, has been struggling offensively. In his last three games, Shelstad is 9-for-33 from the field (27%), 0-for-11 from 3-point range, and averaging 7.3 points.

5. Colorado

Last week: 6

What to know: A 13-game home win streak ended against the Wildcats, 99-79, on Saturday. It was the most points given up by the Buffaloes (16-8, 7-6) in a regulation game since 2017, and largest margin of defeat at home since 2015. The loss dropped them into a tie for fifth with Stanford.

6. Stanford

Last week: 7

What to know: The Cardinal (12-11, 7-6) have to find some consistency if they want to stay in the race for a top-four spot in the conference standings. Maybe their 31-point win against USC on Saturday can be the spark Stanford needs after losing three of its previous four.

7. Utah

Last week: 5

What to know: The Utes (15-9, 6-7) looked like a top-10 team last Thursday as they went toe to toe with Arizona through three overtimes before losing for the first time at home this season. But Utah followed with a loss to Arizona State and now have just one win in its last five games.

California Golden Bears forward Fardaws Aimaq (00) secures a rebound over UCLA Bruins forward Berke Buyuktuncel (9) during the second half at Haas Pavilion Feb. 10, 2024, in Berkeley, California.
California Golden Bears forward Fardaws Aimaq (00) secures a rebound over UCLA Bruins forward Berke Buyuktuncel (9) during the second half at Haas Pavilion Feb. 10, 2024, in Berkeley, California.

8. California

Last week: 8

What to know: The Golden Bears (10-14, 6-7) were one basket away from extending their winning streak to a season-high three games. Instead, they lost 61-60 to UCLA on Saturday while tying a season-low for points scored.

9. Arizona State

Last week: 10

What to know: The Sun Devils (12-12, 6-7) ended a five-game losing streak with a win in a tough venue on the road against Utah. Offensively challenged Arizona State beat the Utes with an 85-point night, just its second time scoring more than 71 in its last nine games.

10. Washington

Last week: 9

What to know: Besides USC, the Huskies (13-11, 5-8) have to be the most disappointing team in the Pac-12 this season. There is too much talent on Washington’s roster to be three-games under .500 in conference play. The Huskies are 2-2 in their last four games with the two losses by a combined eight points.

Washington guard Sahvir Wheeler puts up a shot as the Oregon Ducks host the Washington Huskies Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024, at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Ore.
Washington guard Sahvir Wheeler puts up a shot as the Oregon Ducks host the Washington Huskies Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024, at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Ore.

11. Southern California

Last week: 11

What to know: The race to the bottom of the power rankings is on between the Trojans (9-15, 3-10) and Beavers. USC’s victory against Oregon State on Feb. 3 is its only win in its last nine games.

12. Oregon State

Last week: 12

What to know: The Beavers (11-3, 3-10) have lost four straight since their big weekend sweep of Arizona and Arizona State three weeks ago. Their offense during that stretch has disappeared as they’ve averaged just 57.5 points in those loses.

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 still king as WSU rises