Updated Pac-12 men’s basketball power rankings to close January
With the final Pac-12 men’s basketball season now about halfway complete, the Arizona Wildcats stay atop an ever-so-changing standings board as the only ranked team in the conference.
However, Arizona, along with seven other teams in the conference, suffered a loss in the last seven days. With the standings changing so frequently, the league’s exciting first half sets the stage for what should be an exciting month of February.
Colorado, currently tied for third in the conference standings at 6-4, looks to make a late-season push as the Pac-12’s top four seeds are anyone’s to steal.
As the Buffs enter their final days in the conference, here’s where they rank in our updated Pac-12 men’s basketball power rankings:
USC Trojans (8-12, 2-7 Pac-12)
Last seven days: 65-50 loss vs. UCLA
USC only won two games in January, both against weaker opponents in Stanford and Cal. It could be chalked up to injury woes, but the Trojans were only 6-5 after nonconference play concluded. Despite being a Pac-12 championship contender in preseason polls, USC has been the worst team in the Pac-12 by far.
For more on USC, follow Trojans Wire
UCLA Bruins (9-11, 4-5)
Last seven days: 65-50 win @ USC
Similar to Washington, the Bruins have beaten only one opponent of quality in Pac-12 play despite being picked as a top team in the conference. UCLA has had to regroup after a big roster turnover this past offseason, leaving the keys to former Pac-12 Freshman of the Year Adem Bona.
For more on UCLA, follow UCLA Wire
Oregon State Beavers (11-9, 3-6)
Last seven days: 83-80 win vs. Arizona, 84-71 win vs. Arizona State
With two resounding wins, including one over Arizona in buzzer-beating fashion, the Beavers moved to 3-6 after losing five straight. Jordan Pope, who hit the game-winner against the Wildcats, has been one of the only bright spots for the Beavers this season.
Washington Huskies (12-9, 4-6)
Last seven days: 98-81 loss vs. Colorado, 98-73 win vs. Utah
Coming off a win over Utah, the Keion Brooks Jr.-led Huskies have only won two of their last five contests. With only one of their four wins in conference play coming against a top-half team in the Pac-12 standings, Washington hasn’t been able to build any sort of momentum.
For more on Washington, follow Huskies Wire
California Golden Bears (8-12, 4-5)
Last seven days: 73-71 win vs. Stanford
Despite having the Pac-12’s leading scorer (Jaylon Tyson, 20.6 points per game) and leading rebounder (Fardaws Aimaq, 10.8 rebounds per game), the Golden Bears as a whole haven’t done much else. Still, Cal has picked up quality wins over Colorado and Washington State.
Stanford Cardinal (10-9, 5-4)
Last seven days: 73-71 loss @ California
In an up-and-down way to begin Pac-12 play, Stanford has neither won nor lost more than two games in a row. The Cardinal has beaten Arizona but lost to USC. As the Pac-12’s biggest question mark, Stanford fits perfectly in the middle of the conference.
Arizona State (11-9, 5-4)
Last seven days: 80-61 loss @ Oregon, 84-71 loss @ Oregon State
Led by their hustle and tenacity, the Arizona State Sun Devils beat some quality teams in their 4-0 start to Pac-12 play. Since then, ASU has lost four of its last five with its one win coming against USC. With three of the Sun Devils’ five wins being by three points or fewer, it’s hard to put them higher than they are.
Utah Utes (14-7, 5-5)
Last seven days: 79-57 loss @ Washington State, 98-73 loss @ Washington
In its recent trip to the Washington schools, Utah lost both games in blowout fashion as the Huskies have still yet to pick up a Pac-12 road win. However, the Utes’ undefeated showing at home this season makes it hard to completely write them off. With three of the Pac-12’s toughest competitors coming to Salt Lake City for Utah’s next three games, the Utes’ response in those games will be telling for the end of the season.
Colorado Buffaloes (15-6, 6-4)
Last seven days: 98-81 win @ Washington, 78-69 loss @ Washington State
After a split trip to Washington, KJ Simpson and the Buffs finally won a Pac-12 road game. But they also lost another winnable road game, too. Despite having its four-game win streak snapped by Washington State, CU has an opportunity to finish the season strong now that Tristan da Silva and Cody Williams are healthy.
Washington State (14-6, 6-3)
Last seven days: 79-57 win vs. Utah, 78-69 win vs. Colorado
Led by Isaac Jones and Myles Rice, the Cougars have won five of their last six games, including victories over Arizona, Colorado and Utah. If WSU can continue its red-hot play during an upcoming three-game road trip, the Cougars could become a top-two team in the conference.
Oregon Ducks (14-6, 6-3)
Last seven days: 80-61 win vs. Arizona State, 87-78 loss vs. Arizona
Having lost three of their last four games after a 5-0 start, the Ducks find themselves looking to get back on track. However, all three losses have come against tough Pac-12 competitors in Arizona, Colorado and Utah. With Nate Bittle returning ahead of what should be an easy stretch of games coming up, Oregon should remain No. 2.
For more on Oregon, follow Ducks Wire
Arizona Wildcats (20-15, 6-3)
Last seven days: 83-80 loss @ Oregon State, 87-78 win @ Oregon
With Caleb Love’s 36 points leading Arizona over Oregon, the Wildcats’ loss to Oregon State on a Jordan Pope buzzer-beater shows little worry. Arizona has been the Pac-12’s top team this entire season and things should remain that way barring disaster.
