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Pac-12 women’s basketball power rankings: Colorado surges as USC tops undefeated UCLA

alec dietz, eugene register-guard
·4 min read
Colorado forward Quay Miller, right, shoots over Stanford forward Cameron Brink in the first half of the game Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, in Boulder, Colorado.
Colorado forward Quay Miller, right, shoots over Stanford forward Cameron Brink in the first half of the game Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, in Boulder, Colorado.

With several upsets and key matchups last weekend in the Pac-12, the latest rankings feature some of the biggest shakeups yet.

A new No. 1, a steady riser in Oregon State, and a logjam of squads sitting at 2-3 in Pac-12 play are all key signs the conference season is ramping up.

On to our Pac-12 women's basketball power rankings.

1. Colorado

Last week: 2

What to know: The Buffaloes season-opening win over defending national champ LSU is now assuredly not a fluke. Colorado is the last unbeaten team in the Pac-12 and is fresh off a double-digit win over top-10 Stanford.

2. USC

Last week: 4

What to know: The Trojans avenged a loss across town to UCLA with a resounding win at the Galen Center Sunday, handing the Bruins their first loss of the season. Freshman guard JuJu Watkins’ star continues to rise as USC eyes its best women’s basketball season in recent memory.

Southern California guard Taylor Bigby (1) and guard JuJu Watkins (12) defend against UCLA guard Londynn Jones (3) during the first half of the game in Los Angeles, Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024.
Southern California guard Taylor Bigby (1) and guard JuJu Watkins (12) defend against UCLA guard Londynn Jones (3) during the first half of the game in Los Angeles, Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024.

3. UCLA

Last week: 1

What to know: The previously unbeaten Bruins lost their first game to crosstown rival USC, but still have one of the most complete rosters in women’s basketball and will likely be one of the final teams remaining come the latter stages of the Pac-12 Tournament in Las Vegas.

4. Stanford

Last week: 3

What to know: The Cardinal held off the Utes for a top-20 victory to open the weekend before a double-digit defeat to surging Colorado on Sunday. Cameron Brink is putting up career numbers in her fourth season with a player efficiency rating well over 50.

UCLA guard Camryn Brown, right, dribbles while defended by Oregon State guard Donovyn Hunter, left, during the first half of the game Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, in Los Angeles.
UCLA guard Camryn Brown, right, dribbles while defended by Oregon State guard Donovyn Hunter, left, during the first half of the game Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, in Los Angeles.

5. Oregon State

Last week: 7

What to know: The Beavers have two of the better losses in all of college basketball in UCLA and USC, taking both down to the wire. Oregon State got back into the win column by holding off Arizona and defeating Arizona State soundly. This OSU team, which wasn’t really tested during nonconference play, has shown its mettle against the best of the Pac-12 early on.

6. Utah

Last week: 6

What to know: The Utes dropped a tight contest with Stanford to open the weekend before going across the Bay and destroying Cal by almost 40. The preseason Pac-12 favorites have work to do at 2-3 in conference play, but with two losses coming to top-10 programs.

7. Washington State

Last week: 10

What to know: The Cougars had just one game last week but were able to avenge an earlier defeat in Pullman to Washington on Sunday. Once considered a contender in the Pac-12, WSU will need to start to string together some wins if they want to make another run at the NCAA Tournament.

The Oregon bench erupts after the Ducks secure the lead during the second half against Arizona at Matthew Knight Arena Sunday Jan 14, 2024 in Eugene, Oregon.
The Oregon bench erupts after the Ducks secure the lead during the second half against Arizona at Matthew Knight Arena Sunday Jan 14, 2024 in Eugene, Oregon.

8. Oregon

Last week: 11

What to know: A home weekend was just what the doctor ordered for a Ducks team in desperate need of some wins. Oregon took down Arizona State by double-digits and squeaked out a win against Arizona two days later to add to a logjam of teams sitting at 2-3 in conference play. The Ducks play Arizona just once this year, so the head-to-head result could be big come seeding for the Pac-12 Tournament.

9. Arizona

Last week: 5

What to know: Last weekend was one filled with what-ifs for the Wildcats. Arizona took Oregon State to double overtime in Corvallis but couldn’t seal the deal in a tight loss. Two days later, the Wildcats trailed all day against the Ducks and couldn’t claw back into the game to steal a key road game at Matthew Knight Arena. Riding a high after an upset win over Utah, the Wildcats will look to recapture that momentum this week against the Washington schools.

10. Cal

Last week: 8

What to know: A sweep over the Washington schools was a distance memory against the much-tougher mountain squads. The Bears lost both games in decisive fashion but play the Oregon schools back at home this week and will look to rebound.

11. Washington

Last week: 9

What to know: The once unbeaten Huskies have yet to win in 2024, dropping three straight contests to Pac-12 foes, including the latest against rival Washington State.

Kadidia Toure (1) of the ASU Sun Devils guards Quay Miller (11) of the University of Colorado Boulder during a game at Desert Financial Arena on Jan. 7, 2024, in Tempe.
Kadidia Toure (1) of the ASU Sun Devils guards Quay Miller (11) of the University of Colorado Boulder during a game at Desert Financial Arena on Jan. 7, 2024, in Tempe.

12. Arizona State

Last week: 12

What to know: The Sun Devils are the last remaining winless team in conference play after back-to-back losses to the Oregon schools last weekend.

Alec Dietz covers University of Oregon football, volleyball, women’s basketball and baseball for The Register-Guard. You may reach him at adietz@registerguard.com and you can follow him on Twitter @AlecDietz.

This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Pac-12 women’s basketball power rankings: USC tops undefeated UCLA