1. Arizona Wildcats (23-3)
Last Game: (W) 62-57 v. California | Streak: 2W
Yes, Arizona got lambasted by Oregon in Eugene and they deserve every bit of flack that they get for that performance but it’s still hard to make a case that the Wildcats aren’t the best team in the conference. Sean Miller’s group has just been different since Allonzo Trier’s return.
2. UCLA Bruins (23-3)
Last Game: (W) 78-60 v. Oregon State | Streak: 4W
The Bruins proved their worth in a comeback win over Oregon, in a game in which freshman phenom Lonzo Ball was absolutely electric. For some reason, it’s starting to feel that the victory over the Ducks could propel this Bruins team back to the country’s elite status conversation.
3. Oregon Ducks (22-4)
Last Game: (W) 81-70 at USC | Streak: 1W
Stats usually don’t play too much of a role in Power Rankings but when it comes to potential NCAA Tournament seeding and things of that nature, it’s okay to look at the saber-metrics sometimes. Case in point? Oregon’s 4-3 record against the BPI Top 50 is not on par with what a potential #2 seed should look like.
4. California Golden Bears (18-7)
Last Game: (L) 62-57 at Arizona | Streak: 1L
Cal’s four conference losses have come to the likes of Arizona (twice) and in road losses at Oregon and UCLA, meaning the Golden Bears really haven’t had their letdowns against lesser competition. It’s just getting that breakthrough against the top dogs that currently evades them. Maybe Oregon traveling to Berkeley next Wednesday will change that trend for the Golden Bears.
5. USC Trojans (21-5)
Last Game: (L) 81-70 v. Oregon | Streak: 1L
The Trojans had a five-game winning streak snapped against Oregon and face the conference’s most daunting back-to-back stretch when they travel to UCLA and Arizona just five days apart. If USC can steal a win in those two match-ups, the Trojans may inch themselves back into the Top 25 conversation.
6. Utah Utes (17-8)
Last Game: (W) 85-61 v. Washington | Streak: 2W
For a team that has eight losses to their name, it’s fairly surprising that the Utes haven’t been blown out even once this season, a stunning testament to their grit, determination and style of play. Utah can hang with anyone in the country for a solid twenty minutes. It’s about getting the rest of the game to come together now for them.
7. Colorado Buffaloes (15-11)
Last Game: (W) 81-49 v. Washington State | Streak: 2W
Colorado has been a rocking machine since their stunning upset of Oregon and with wins in five of their last six games, the Buffs are now finally becoming that dark-horse team that they were projected as. They may not have the overall resume to match but this is not a team anyone will want to see in the Pac-12 Tournament.
8. Arizona State Sun Devils (12-14)
Last Game: (W) 75-69 v. Stanford | Streak: 1W
The problem for Bobby Hurley and company has been quality of wins as the Sun Devils have really beaten nobody of value all-season long and even their mid-December victory over San Diego State is looking less impressive by the day. However, Arizona State has a chance to find upcoming road wins at Washington and Washington State.
9. Stanford Cardinal (12-13)
Last Game: (L) 75-69 at Arizona State | Streak: 2L
Stanford’s style of play has kept the Cardinal in a myriad of close games this season but their inability to close the door in these scenarios has been devastating to this team’s emotional health. The Cardinal have now lost five of their last six, as Friday night’s rivalry game with California sits on the horizon.
10. Washington State Cougars (11-14)
Last Game: (L) 81-49 at Colorado | Streak: 4L
It feels like almost every time Washington State takes a step in the right direction, they end up taking two steps back and suddenly, this Cougars group has gone from trendy to unfavorable. Sunday night’s blowout loss at Colorado was simply a culminating moment for a falling team.
11. Washington Huskies (9-16)
Last Game: (L) 85-61 at Utah | Streak: 7L
Washington has had a bit of a chaos surrounding their program lately, as the Huskies are currently without star player Markelle Fultz due to a sore knee, while they also deal with sophomore guard David Crisp’s slapping-incident with a Colorado heckler. All things considered, the bigger of the issues have been on the court for Washington, where Lorenzo Romar’s guys have now dropped seven straight contests.
12. Oregon State Beavers (4-22)
Last Game: (L) 78-60 at UCLA | Streak: 13L
The Beavers are still chasing their first conference win and the potential of a break in their long losing skid is simply running out of time. Wayne Tinkle’s guys have shown more fight but Thursday’s meeting in Corvallis with Colorado may be their best chance. Oregon State has to make their move now.
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