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Pac-12 women’s basketball power rankings: OSU on fire as Oregon extends its losing streak

alec dietz, eugene register-guard
·4 min read
Oregon State forward Raegan Beers, center left, congratulates forward Timea Gardiner, center right, who made a 3-point basket in the first half of the game against Colorado, Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, in Boulder, Colorado.
Oregon State forward Raegan Beers, center left, congratulates forward Timea Gardiner, center right, who made a 3-point basket in the first half of the game against Colorado, Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, in Boulder, Colorado.

Oregon State continued its winning ways with yet another weekend sweep over the mountain schools while Cal rebounded from a sweep at the hands of the Arizona schools with a massive sweep over the Washington programs this past weekend.

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

1. Stanford

Last week: 1

What to know: The Cardinal had an overtime scare against Washington in Seattle, but came back to soundly defeat the Cougars on Sunday to remain in the No. 1 spot in both the Pac-12 standings and these rankings.

Oregon State guard Donovyn Hunter, left, picks up the ball as Colorado forward Quay Miller, right, pursues in the first half of the game Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, in Boulder, Colorado.
Oregon State guard Donovyn Hunter, left, picks up the ball as Colorado forward Quay Miller, right, pursues in the first half of the game Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, in Boulder, Colorado.

2. Oregon State

Last week: 2

What to know: Two weeks removed from sweeping the mountain schools at home, the Beavers did it again, this time on the road, in back-to-back wins over ranked teams over the weekend Friday against Utah and Sunday against Colorado. Though the AP Poll can’t see it quite yet, Oregon State belongs in the top-10.

Colorado Buffaloes guard Jaylyn Sherrod (00) shoots the ball over Oregon Ducks forward Grace VanSlooten (40) in the first quarter at CU Events Center Feb. 9, 2024, in Boulder, Colorado.
Colorado Buffaloes guard Jaylyn Sherrod (00) shoots the ball over Oregon Ducks forward Grace VanSlooten (40) in the first quarter at CU Events Center Feb. 9, 2024, in Boulder, Colorado.

3. Colorado

Last week: 3

What to know: Though the Buffaloes fell to Oregon State for the second time on Sunday, they’re in a good spot as conference play enters its home stretch. Colorado sits in second place in the Pac-12 as of Tuesday and has a good chance to put the finishing touches on a strong season with games against Utah and the LA schools on the horizon.

4. USC

Last week: 4

What to know: The Trojans are rolling after a pair of wins over the Bay Area schools and now the Arizona squads. A good showing against the Oregon schools could do USC wonders heading into the home stretch of the season.

5. UCLA

Last week: 6

What to know: The Bruins got a stabilizing weekend against the Arizona schools this past weekend, its first weekend sweep since its conference-opening weekend against the Oregon schools in early January. Another huge test awaits UCLA this weekend when it travels to Corvallis to take on surging Oregon State Friday.

6. Utah

Last week: 5

What to know: The Utes have responded well to a 1-3 start in conference play, going 7-2 since with just two losses to Oregon State. They’ll need a strong finish down the stretch to finish in the Pac-12’s top four to get a bye in the Pac-12 Tournament, with three top-10 opponents in their next three games.

7. Cal

Last week: 12

What to know: A sweep at the hands of the lowly Arizona schools was apparently completing wiped from the Golden Bears’ minds when they swept the Washington schools for the second time this season – this time on the road. It’s a massive result for a Cal squad that now finds itself on the NCAA Tournament bubble, and currently in seventh in the Pac-12. The Bears also have a favorable schedule down the stretch, with three very winnable games against Oregon and both Arizona schools.

8. Washington State

Last week: 7

What to know: The Cougs have suffered four setbacks in a row, though three of the four have come against ranked teams. A home loss to Cal could be big come Selection Sunday, though, after the Cougars already lost to Cal on the road earlier in the year. Time is running out for a Washington State team that is probably on the outside looking in when it comes to the NCAA Tournament. Finding wins against the Arizona schools this weekend will be key.

9. Arizona

Last week: 8

What to know: The Wildcats lost a pair of games against the top-10 LA schools, but have a chance at some important wins against Washington and Washington State this weekend.

10. Washington

Last week: 9

What to know: The Huskies couldn’t sustain the strong play it needed after an overtime loss to Stanford and falling to Cal for the second time this season. The loss was crucial after sitting just on the outside looking in for many NCAA Tournament projections. Like WSU, this upcoming road trip against the Arizona schools is huge for UW’s postseason chances.

Oregon Ducks center Phillipina Kyei (15) shoots the ball at Colorado Buffaloes forward Charlotte Whittaker (45) in the second quarter at CU Events Center Feb 9, 2024, in Boulder, Colorado.
Oregon Ducks center Phillipina Kyei (15) shoots the ball at Colorado Buffaloes forward Charlotte Whittaker (45) in the second quarter at CU Events Center Feb 9, 2024, in Boulder, Colorado.

11. Oregon

Last week: 10

What to know: The Ducks are 2-1 in conference play against unranked teams, but 0-9 against teams ranked in the AP’s top-25. Now on a seven-game losing skid, the road doesn’t get any easier this week when Oregon welcomes top-10 USC and UCLA to Matthew Knight Arena.

12. Arizona State

Last week: 11

What to know: The Sun Devils have a pair of conference wins this season against Cal and Washington, but were stomped by the LA schools and are tied in last place in the Pac-12 standings.

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: OSU now No. 11 in AP Poll