Here’s a look at the power rankings that Drew and I have compiled after the 14th week of Pac-12 games:
1. California, 20-6 (10-3): The Golden Bears stay on top after an impressive sweep in Los Angeles. After easily defeating USC on Thursday to regain a share of first place in the Pac-12, the Bears completed the sweep by getting a big win against UCLA two days later. Despite a big run in the final minutes that was led by senior guard Jerime Anderson, Cal still won by double digits after building as much as a 17-point lead earlier in the second half. Up Next: 2/16 vs. Oregon
2. Oregon, 18-7 (9-4): The Ducks have played themselves back into the bubble conversation after sweeping the Washington schools at home last week. After destroying Washington on Thursday, Oregon completed the sweep by holding down a feisty Washington State team in the final minutes on Saturday. The Ducks must win four of their final five regular season games to stay in the at-large conversation. Up Next: 2/16 @ California
Junior forward E.J. Singler led the Ducks to a sweep of the Washington schools. (credit: Kevin Casey)
3. Arizona, 18-8 (9-4): It wasn’t always in the prettiest of fashions, but when everything was said and done on Saturday in Tucson, the Wildcats had taken both games from the Rocky Mountain schools. With the bright ESPN lights shining on them, Arizona struggled early on against Colorado before pulling away for a 71-57 win. Saturday morning was even more dicey for the Cats as Utah came out on fire. The Utes pulled out to a 13-point advantage before Arizona even woke up. Eventually, the Utes cooled down and Arizona heated up, but a nine-point home win against a 5-20 team isn’t what the selection committee likes to see four weeks before Selection Sunday. Up Next: 2/16 @ Washington State
4. Washington, 17-8 (10-3): The Huskies appeared to play themselves out of NCAA at-large bid after their trip to Oregon. It would have been one thing if Washington had come back from their disappointing loss on Thursday and dominated Oregon State, but the committee isn’t going to look highly upon their ugly three-point victory against a bad Beaver team. The Huskies are still in a tie for first in the conference, but they needed a good road trip to stay in the at-large picture. Up Next: 2/16 vs. Arizona State
5. Colorado, 17-8 (9-4): The Buffaloes played well enough to stay with Arizona on Thursday at the McKale Center, but they couldn’t hit the shots or get the stops they needed down the stretch to win the game. Colorado finished the week by defeating Arizona State, 63-49. Up Next: 2/18 @ Utah
6. Stanford, 17-8 (7-6): It was a ho-hum week in Los Angeles for the Cardinal. On Thursday, they never were really in the game and eventually fell 72-61 to UCLA. They were able to fly back home happy as they came into the Galen Center for a made-for-TV Sunday night game and spanked the Trojans, 59-47. Up Next: 2/16 vs. Oregon State
7. UCLA, 14-11 (7-6): It could have been the defining moment in a lackluster season for the Bruins. But instead, they came out looking lackluster and California made them pay with a 73-63 loss. Up Next: 2/15 vs. USC
8. Oregon State, 15-10 (5-8): And just like, that the wheels are back off the Oregon State bus. The Beavers had won four of five, including two road victories, but they came back to the friendly confines of Gill Coliseum on Thursday and laid an egg against the Cougars. Washington State was not fazed by the Beavers trapping 1-3-1 attack and smoothly shot itself to an 83-73 win. Hope looked to be renewed on Sunday against the Huskies, but once again, the Beavers gave up a great opportunity at the end of a game. The Beavers repeatedly turned the ball over, and despite Washington giving them every opportunity imaginable, the Beavers fell 75-72. Up Next: 2/16 @ Stanford
9. Washington State, 13-12 (5-8): After their big win over the Beavers, Washington State traveled down the road to Eugene for a Saturday afternoon meeting with the Ducks. This one was much closer than the 92-75 beating the Cougs took when they met in Spokane in December, but the Ducks just have coach Ken Bone’s number. The final was 78-69, meaning the Cougs will most likely have to win out in their five remaining regular season games to have a shot at the NIT. Up Next: 2/16 vs. Arizona
10. Arizona State, 8-17 (4-9): The Sun Devils won a game last week, and they couldn’t care less that it was over 11th place Utah. Junior guard/forward Carrick Felix led the Devils with 15 points, while junior guard Chris Hines was the only Ute to reach double digits with ten points. Up Next: 2/16 @ Washington
11. USC, 6-20 (1-12): At least Sunday’s loss to Stanford wasn’t as bad as the 75-49 defeat they suffered on Thursday against Cal. Progress. Up Next: 2/15 @ UCLA
12. Utah, 5-20 (2-11): Utah has a nice little trend going of hanging with an upper-tier Pac-12 team for a half or more. Two weeks ago it was Oregon, and last week it was Arizona. Can they possibly do it again against Colorado on Saturday? Up Next: 2/18 vs. Colorado