Pac-12 Power Rankings 2/15: Does Anyone Want to Win the Pac-12 Conference?
By Josh Goldman
Jan 12, 2013; Colorado Springs, CO, USA; A detail view of the Pac 12 logo on the court before the start of the game between the UCLA Bruins and the Colorado Buffaloes. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
1. Oregon (20-5, 9-3): Oregon takes back the top spot because no one else in the Pac-12 wants it. The Ducks have a one game lead on UCLA & Arizona but four other teams sit only two games back. Oregon seemed to right the ship without Dominic Artis.
2. Colorado (17-7-5, 7-5): The Buffaloes got revenge Thursday night with a 71-58 win over Arizona. Colorado is getting hot at the right time and the winning streak could surge them to the top of the Pac-12 standings.
3. Arizona (20-4, 8-4): Last week it seemed like Arizona was in cruise control to the Pac-12 crown and a potential #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats lost at home to Cal then followed it up with a loss at Colorado. The Wildcats lack of a point guard will be even more exposed come March.
4. UCLA (18-7, 8-4): The Jekyll and Hyde season continues for the Bruins. UCLA had a great game against Washington State then followed it up with an absolutely awful first half at Cal that lead to a 76-63 loss. The Bruins only sit a game back but upcoming trips to Stanford & USC should put an end to Pac-12 title hopes.
5. California (15-9, 7-5): The Golden Bears already jumped the Sun Devils and are projected into the field of 68. Cal is one of the hottest teams in the conference and is bunched up with 3 other teams that sit only two games back. Allen Crabbe continues to lead the conference in points per game and will be heard from in March.
6. USC (12-13, 7-5): Four straight wins for the Trojans have them surging up the standings. USC doesn’t resemble the team they were a month ago before Bob Cantu. Their upcoming stretch is brutal but a .500 record would be great for this team.
7. Arizona State (18-7, 7-5): The Sun Devils have lost 3 of their past 4 games by only a combined 12 points. Their losses may have been close but they were to teams they should have won against. Washington has been struggling, Stanford at home is a questionable loss and then losing to last place Utah has the Sun Devils looking at the tournament from the outside.
8. Stanford (15-10, 6-6): Stanford can’t afford many more losses if they want to make the tournament. If Stanford goes 4-2 and win a game in the Pac-12 tournament then they will have a shot to get in the big dance.
9. Washington (13-12, 5-7): What happened to the Huskies? Washington started off Pac-12 play with four straight wins, since they have gone 1-7. Lorenzo Romar’s team will miss the NCAA Tournament for a second straight year.
10. Utah (11-13, 3-9): Utah now has wins over Colorado, Washington and Arizona State. The Utes have a tough stretch coming but they have been getting wins in unexpected places.
11. Oregon State (13-12, 3-9): The Beavers are benefitting from playing the dwellers of the Pac-12. They have won 2 of 3 games and have struggling Washington up next.
12. Washington State (11-14, 2-10): The Cougars have lost 5 straight and there doesn’t appear to be light at the end of the tunnel. Washington State’s upcoming games are against Oregon, @Arizona, & @ Arizona State. YIKES. Ken Bone is on the hot seat.
Game of the weekend: USC @ California
Upset Alert: Stanford over UCLA
Player of the Week: Allen Crabbe (California)
Biggest Climb: Colorado & California +4
Biggest Fall: Arizona State -5