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Pac-12 women’s basketball power rankings: USC's JuJu Watkins dazzles, Beavers escape Ducks

alec dietz, eugene register-guard
·4 min read
Southern California guard JuJu Watkins (12) brings the ball up court against Stanford guard Talana Lepolo (10) in the second half of the game on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024 in Stanford, California.
Southern California guard JuJu Watkins (12) brings the ball up court against Stanford guard Talana Lepolo (10) in the second half of the game on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024 in Stanford, California.

It was another eventful week of Pac-12 women’s basketball.

Perhaps the story of the weekend was USC freshman guard JuJu Watkins’ 51-point performance in an upset of No. 4 Stanford on Friday. The ticked-off Cardinal then took out their frustrations on No. 7 UCLA, crushing the once-considered title contenders by 20 on Sunday.

With shakeups galore throughout the conference, here's our latest Pac-12 women's basketball power rankings.

1. Stanford

Last week: 1

What to know: The Cardinal fell for just the second time in conference play to open the weekend with No. 15 USC but turned around and demolished No. 7 UCLA like no team has done this season. Stanford crushed a Bruins team that had appeared to be national title favorites mere weeks ago, 80-60.

Oregon State’s Talia von Oelhoffen, center, shoots around Oregon’s Sarah Rambus during the first half at Matthew Knight Arena Sunday, Feb 4, 2024.
Oregon State’s Talia von Oelhoffen, center, shoots around Oregon’s Sarah Rambus during the first half at Matthew Knight Arena Sunday, Feb 4, 2024.

2. Oregon State

Last week: 2

What to know: One of the hottest teams in college basketball had to endure a tough test against a rival on the road, but defeated Oregon, 64-60, and are sitting comfortably in third in the Pac-12 standings. The Beavers had 34 bench points in the win, showcasing one of the most balanced rosters in the conference.

3. Colorado

Last week: 4

What to know: The Buffaloes have been one of the steadiest teams in the Pac-12, and got a much-needed sweep over the weekend, coming back to defeat Washington State before dominating Washington on Sunday.

Stanford forward Cameron Brink (22) goes to the basket against Southern California center Clarice Akunwafo (34) in the first half of the game Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, in Stanford, California.
Stanford forward Cameron Brink (22) goes to the basket against Southern California center Clarice Akunwafo (34) in the first half of the game Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, in Stanford, California.

4. USC

Last week: 6

What to know: In desperate need of a bounce back weekend after a loss to Washington, JuJu Watkins scored a USC record 51 points in the Trojans’ upset over No. 4 Stanford, and then defeated Cal to close the weekend.

5. Utah

Last week: 5

What to know: After struggling to score against the Oregon schools last weekend, the Utes got back to their usual shooting selves, dispatching both Washington schools with ease.

Stanford guard Hannah Jump (33) drives to the basket against UCLA forward Christeen Iwuala (22) during the first half of the game Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024, in Stanford, California.
Stanford guard Hannah Jump (33) drives to the basket against UCLA forward Christeen Iwuala (22) during the first half of the game Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024, in Stanford, California.

6. UCLA

Last week: 3

What to know: Once ranked second in the country, and with a perfect record through nonconference play, the Bruins are 6-4 through the early going of Pac-12 play. UCLA’s latest loss was a stinker, a 20-point blowout defeat in Palo Alto. Though the Bruins were once considered title contenders, they’ll have to figure out how to play without star center Lauren Betts, who has been sidelined with an injury.

7. Washington State

Last week: 7

What to know: The Cougars dropped both of their matchups against the mountain schools, but were right in it with Colorado and Utah and are a step ahead of the bottom half teams in the Pac-12.

8. Arizona

Last week: 9

What to know: The Wildcats have stabilized their season after a tough stretch and swept the season series with a win against Arizona State on Sunday. Every win is big at this point in the season.

9. Washington

Last week: 8

What to know: The Huskies dropped both of its matchups against the mountain schools, but that was to be expected against the No. 6 Buffaloes and No. 20 Utes. Sitting at 3-7 in conference play, UW desperately needs to find its rhythm before time runs out.

Oregon’s Grace VanSlooten, right, steals the ball from Oregon State’s Lily Hansford during the second half at Matthew Knight Arena Sunday, Feb 4, 2024.
Oregon’s Grace VanSlooten, right, steals the ball from Oregon State’s Lily Hansford during the second half at Matthew Knight Arena Sunday, Feb 4, 2024.

10. Oregon

Last week: 12

What to know: The Ducks showed a lot of fight in a tight, 64-60 loss to rival No. 18 Oregon State on Sunday. Oregon will lament its late-game mistakes that ultimately helped the Beavers to a win but should feel confident moving forward that they can compete against the top teams. The road isn’t easy, though, with four ranked foes on the horizon.

11. Arizona State

Last week: 10

What to know: The Sun Devils got a big win against Cal, and beat Washington a few weeks ago, but fell to rival Arizona for the second time this season and in decisive fashion.

12. Cal

Last week: 11

What to know: The Golden Bears suffered a road sweep they could not afford against the Arizona schools and suffered two more defeats against the Los Angeles schools this past weekend. A huge series of games is coming up for Cal, starting with the Washington schools on the road next week.

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: Stanford tops UCLA, Beavers escape Ducks