Pac-12 Power Rankings: Arizona stumbles, UCLA takes over top spot
It’s the middle of January and only one team remains undefeated in Pac-12 conference play. That would be the UCLA Bruins, who are 5-0 after edging out a victory over rival (and future Big Ten partner) USC last week.
The move comes in part because of UCLA’s impressive performance this season, and in part because Tommy Lloyd’s Arizona Wildcats now have two conference losses. They dropped the opener to Utah back over a month ago, and just lost a stunner at home to Washington State in what might have been the biggest regular season win in Cougar basketball history.
The shakeup at the top comes without a ton of other movement in the middle of the Pac, although Colorado takes a few steps forward after blowing the doors off Oregon and winning seven of their last eight games.
Here is a look at the overall Pac-12 men’s basketball power rankings, with still about two months to go until Selection Sunday:
California Golden Bears (3-13) Last Week: 12
Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
KenPom: 203
Next: @ WSU (1/11)
Mark Fox’s squad has now won three of their last four games, dropping 80 points in a win over Colorado and 92 in a victory over Bay area rival Stanford. It’s not enough to move them out of the bottom spot, but perhaps enough for Fox to keep his job for another year.
Oregon State Beavers (7-9) Last Week: 11
Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
KenPom: 224
Next: vs. Arizona (1/12)
Wayne Tinkle’s recent Pac-12 road trip was a disaster, as his team dropped three in a row to Oregon, Utah, and Colorado – only playing remotely competitive ball against the Ducks.
The good news is their next two games are at home, but the bad news is they bring in Tommy Lloyd’s Arizona Wildcats and a dangerous Arizona State team to follow.
Washington Huskies (9-8) (Last Week: 10)
Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
KenPom: 110
Next: vs. Stanford (1/12)
Mike Hopkins and the Huskies are currently on a five-game skid, with narrow losses to both Arizona and Arizona State on the road last week.
This team isn’t as bad as their 1-5 record in Pac-12 play indicates, but they aren’t particularly good either.
Stanford Cardinal (5-10) Last Week: 9
Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
KenPom: 95
Next: @ Washington (1/12)
Stanford is now the only remaining winless team in conference play, dropping to 0-5 with a 22 point loss to crosstown rival Cal. Yikes.
Washington State Cougars (7-10) Last Week: 8
Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
KenPom: 61
Next: vs. Cal (1/11)
Wazzu picked up perhaps the biggest win in program history, defeating No. 5 Arizona on the road by a score of 74-61.
Kyle Smith’s club is on the up and up, but inconsistency still keeps this program from fully breaking through in the middle of the Pac-12.
Oregon Ducks (9-7) Last Week: 6
Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports
KenPom: 58
Next: vs. ASU (1/12)
The Ducks rebounded from their absolutely disastrous loss to Colorado by defeating Utah on the road, continuing their very up-and-down season. The return of Jermaine Couisnard will add reinforcements to the backcourt, but it remains to be seen if Dana Altman can get this program on the right track.
USC Trojans (11-5) Last Week: 5
Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
KenPom: 65
Next: vs. Colorado (1/12)
USC nearly walked out of Pauley Pavilion with a win, but they fell 60-58 to the Bruins – giving them a two-game losing streak after winning their previous seven in a row.
Andy Enfield’s squad could be a real danger heading into Pac-12 tournament play, but their resume is very inconsistent right now.
Arizona State Sun Devils (13-3) Last Week: 4
Syndication: Arizona Republic
KenPom: 64
Next: @ Oregon (1/12)
Bobby Hurley’s squad has gone 2-1 since suffering a huge loss to San Francisco. They have wins over both Washington schools, and now take on Oregon and Oregon State on the road. They need both to stay afloat in the at-large NCAA Tournament conversation.
Colorado Buffaloes (11-6) Last Week: 7
Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
KenPom: 47
Next: @ USC (1/12)
The most confounding team in college basketball strikes again. Colorado has now won seven of their last eight, including pummeling both Oregon and Oregon State. Their one loss? Cal, the worst P-5 team in the country. What a world.
Utah Utes (12-5) Last Week: 3
Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports
KenPom: 49
Next: @ UCLA (1/12)
Utah is 5-1 in conference play, with their only loss coming on the road at Oregon in their most recent game. They have another chance to pick off one of the top teams in the conference when they take on UCLA on the road on Thursday evening.
Arizona Wildcats (14-2) Last Week: 1
Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
KenPom: 11
Next: @ OSU (1/12)
Arizona’s loss to WSU was enough to unseat them as the top team in the Pac-12, especially with how UCLA has been playing lately. Still, Tommy Lloyd’s team is one of the ten, maybe five, best teams in the entire country and they are going to be a very dangerous squad come March.
UCLA Bruins (14-2) Last Week: 2
Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
KenPom: 4
Next: vs. Utah (1/12)
UCLA takes over the top spot, with a sparkly 14-2 record and a pristine 5-0 mark in Pac-12 play. They are now a top five team in the country and could very well earn a No. 1 seed in the west region if they keep playing like this.
