Drew VonScio gives his Pac-12 basketball power rankings heading into week 10 of the 2023-24 season.
Matchup of the Week: Arizona State vs. Washington (Jan. 11 – 11 p.m.)
Sneaky Good Matchup of the Week: USC vs. Colorado (Jan. 13 – 10 p.m.)
All games listed are EST.
1. Arizona Wildcats
Last Week’s Ranking: 1 (-)
Record: 12-3 (3-1)
Last Week: W vs. Colorado (97-50), W vs. Utah (92-73)
Next Week: at Washington State (Jan. 13 – 6 p.m.)
Quality Wins: Duke, Wisconsin, Utah, Colorado, Michigan State
Bad Losses: Stanford
Arizona made a statement this past week and proved its still the best team in the Pac-12 by far. Limiting Colorado to just 50 points in that matchup while averaging 94.5 points per game over their last two matchups is certainly a way to do it for the Wildcats. Pelle Larsson and Caleb Love combined for 34 points while Motiejus Krivas dropped 15 points as he went 7-of-8 from the field. Against Utah, it was Love and Keshad Johnson who led the team as Love continues to be an excellent addition for Arizona. Krivas and Oumar Ballo were both one rebound shy of double-doubles this week as the Wildcats continue to show nothing but Elite 8 potential.
2. Oregon Ducks
Last Week’s Ranking: 4 (+2)
Record: 12-3 (4-0)
Last Week: W at Washington (76-74), W at Washington State (89-84)
Next Week: vs. California (Jan. 13 – 8 p.m.)
Quality Wins: Washington
Bad Losses: N/A
If there was any week to be a fan of the Oregon Ducks, this was the one. Oregon shot 48% from the field in the win over Washington and then did one better by shooting 58% from the field against Washington State. Shooting 58% from three against the Cougars was an added bonus for the Ducks who are trying to vie with Colorado for the title of second-best team in Pac-12 basketball. Jackson Shelstad and Jermaine Couisnard showed consistency between the games scoring 15+ in both of them while Brennan Rigsby posted 18 points in the win over Washington State. The Ducks have momentum on their side with four conference games under their belt.
3. Colorado Buffaloes
Last Week’s Ranking: 2 (-1)
Record: 11-4 (2-2)
Last Week: L at #10 Arizona (97-50), L at Arizona State (76-73)
Next Week: at California (Jan. 10 – 11 p.m.), vs. USC (Jan. 13 – 10 p.m.)
Quality Wins: Miami (Fla)
Bad Losses: N/A
It was a week to forget for Colorado between being blown out by Arizona and then losing a nail-biter to Arizona State a few days later. While the result wouldn’t have changed, the Buffaloes shooting 1-for-8 from behind the arc in the first half made things worse along with 18 total turnovers and being outrebounded by 20. Things improved in the shooting and rebounding categories against the Sun Devils, but turnovers still plagued Colorado. KJ Simpson’s 23 points weren’t enough in that matchup to give the Buffaloes the win, so it’s back to the drawing board before a trip to California.
4. Utah Utes
Last Week’s Ranking: 3 (-1)
Record: 11-4 (2-2)
Last Week: L at Arizona State (82-70), L at #10 Arizona (92-73)
Next Week: vs. UCLA (Jan. 11 – 9 p.m.), at Stanford (Jan. 14 – 5 p.m.)
Quality Wins: BYU, Saint Mary’s
Bad Losses: N/A
Poor three-point shooting in the second half against Arizona State was the kryptonite for Utah despite Branden Carlson scoring 19 points and grabbing eight rebounds. Deivon Smith was the only other Ute to be in double digits, but nine players got themselves in the scorebook with points. Shooting 6-of-11 from the foul line in the second half doesn’t help matters either. Against Arizona, it was Gabe Madsen’s offensive prowess that led the way with 18 points, but shooting from behind the arc in the second half was once again the downfall for Utah. The Utes should figure it out, but it’s just a matter of continuing to put up shots and hope they fall this week.
5. Arizona State Sun Devils
Last Week’s Ranking: 8 (+3)
Record: 10-5 (4-0)
Last Week: W vs. Utah (82-70), W vs. Colorado (76-73)
Next Week: at Washington (Jan. 11 – 11 p.m.)
Quality Wins: Utah, Colorado
Bad Losses: N/A
What a week it was for Arizona State who pulled off not one, but two upsets! Jose Perez dropped 26 points with Frankie Collins adding 19 in the win over Utah. The Sun Devils shooting 50% from the field in both halves certainly helped that effort despite losing the rebound battle. Arizona State thrived in the paint with 36 points against the Utes and 28 against the Buffaloes. In the win over Colorado, it was Jamiya Neal’s 19 points and 7 rebounds that led the way along with Adam Miller putting up 18. Arizona State could perhaps be the Cinderella team of the Pac-12 if these results continue.
6. Washington Huskies
Last Week’s Ranking: 5 (-1)
Record: 9-6 (1-3)
Last Week: L vs. Oregon (76-74), W vs. Oregon State (79-72)
Next Week: vs. Arizona State (Jan. 11 – 11 p.m.), at UCLA (Jan. 14 – 7 p.m.)
Quality Wins: Gonzaga, Xavier
Bad Losses: N/A
Washington started off strong against Oregon, but the Ducks came back in the second half and snatched away a win. Sahvir Wheeler and Keion Brooks Jr continue to be the dynamic duo for the Huskies as they combined for 34 points against Oregon. Washington was abysmal from the foul line in this matchup going 12-for-22 which was the difference. Against Oregon State, the free throw shooting drastically improved as I can imagine it was a good portion of the practices between games. Brooks Jr. posted 26 against Oregon State as the Huskies ground out a win to avoid a disappointing week.
7. Stanford Cardinal
Last Week’s Ranking: 7 (-)
Record: 7-7 (2-2)
Last Week: W at UCLA (59-53), L at USC (93-79)
Next Week: at Oregon State (Jan. 11 – 11 p.m.), vs. Utah (Jan. 14 – 5 p.m.)
Quality Wins: Arizona
Bad Losses: Northern Iowa
Stanford pulled out victorious in a low-scoring slugfest on the road against UCLA as Kanaan Carlyle was the only Cardinal to score double digits with 17 points. Stanford didn’t have the best shooting game, but made up for it with getting 29 points off the bench and forcing 16 turnovers from the Bruins. Stanford shot over 50% from the field and from three against USC as the offensive improved significantly, but turnovers allowed the Trojans to get extra opportunities and come out on top. Michael Jones and Brandon Angel netted 41 of 79 Cardinal points, but an opponent scoring 25 points from turnovers is always a recipe for disaster.
8. USC Trojans
Last Week’s Ranking: 11 (+3)
Record: 8-7 (2-2)
Last Week: W vs. California (82-74), W vs. Stanford (93-79)
Next Week: vs. Washington State (Jan. 10 – 10:30 p.m.), at Colorado (Jan. 13 – 10 p.m.)
Quality Wins: Seton Hall, Kansas State
Bad Losses: UC Irvine, Long Beach State
USC rallied for two wins this week after having five players score 10+ points against Cal and three players scoring 20+ points against Stanford. In the win over the Golden Bears, Bronny James produced his first double-digit performance as the Trojans benefitted from 23 points off the bench. Boogie Ellis scored 15 points and added 8 rebounds against Cal before dropping 22 points and 5 rebounds against Stanford. Collier leading the way against the Cardinal with 26 shows why the freshman could be a first-round pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. It was two big wins this week for the Trojans who will look to ride that momentum into Washington State.
9. Oregon State Beavers
Last Week’s Ranking: 6 (-3)
Record: 9-6 (1-3)
Last Week: L at Washington State (65-58), L at Washington (79-72)
Next Week: vs. Stanford (Jan. 11 – 11 p.m.)
Quality Wins: N/A
Bad Losses: Washington State
Despite Jordan Pope averaging 24.5 points per game, his efforts only went so far for Oregon State this week. The Beavers weren’t bad necessarily, but the Cougars were just the better team on that given night when it came to shooting. Producing seven points off of 12 turnovers certainly doesn’t help either. Tyler Bilodeau having a bounce-back game against Washington made that game more offensive, but a lack of points on turnovers told the story again for the Beavers: six points on as many turnovers. A one-game week for the Beavers is much needed as they push the reset button before hosting Stanford.
10. Washington State Cougars
Last Week’s Ranking: 10 (-)
Record: 10-5 (1-3)
Last Week: W vs. Oregon State (65-58), L vs. Oregon (89-84)
Next Week: at USC (Jan. 10 – 10:30 p.m.), vs. #8 Arizona (Jan. 13 – 6 p.m.)
Quality Wins: N/A
Bad Losses: N/A
Oscar Cluff’s 20 points helped push Washington State to victory over Oregon State despite the Cougars shooting 0-of-7 from behind the arc in the first half. Andrej Jakimovski and Myles Rice had solid efforts behind Cluff, and Washington State was very impressive from the free throw line while also getting 31 points outside of the starting five. Rice’s 22 points highlighted the game for the Cougars in the loss to Oregon as the foul-shot shooting wasn’t as strong against the Ducks that made the difference. Jaylen Wells added 15 points for Washington State who hasn’t had the greatest amount of success since Pac-12 basketball play started.
11. UCLA Bruins
Last Week’s Ranking: 9 (-2)
Record: 6-9 (1-3)
Last Week: L vs. Stanford (59-53), L vs. California (66-57)
Next Week: at Utah (Jan. 11 – 9 p.m.), vs. Washington (Jan. 14 – 7 p.m.)
Quality Wins: N/A
Bad Losses: Stanford, California
UCLA is about one step away from hitting rock bottom as we progress into the heart of college basketball season. Outside of Sebastian Mack, Berke Buyuktuncel and Adem Bona scoring 12+ points, no other Bruin scored more than four in what was a horrific game for UCLA. Turning the ball over 16 times doesn’t help matters as the Bruins trailed for much of the contest. It was much of the same against Cal even though Dylan Andrews replaced Buyuktuncel as the higher scoring player. Three-point shooting was an even 20% which allowed Cal to hang in the game. UCLA has lots to improve upon if they wants to salvage anything from this season.
12. California Golden Bears
Last Week’s Ranking: 12 (-)
Record: 5-10 (1-3)
Last Week: L at USC (82-74), W at UCLA (66-57)
Next Week: vs. Colorado (Jan. 10 – 11 p.m.), at Oregon (Jan. 13 – 8 p.m.)
Quality Wins: Santa Clara
Bad Losses: N/A
Cal had one of its best weeks of the season as it went toe-to-toe with USC, led by Jaylon Tyson scoring 23 points against the Trojans as he went 10-for-16 from the field. Much like several other teams in the conference, the Golden Bears fell victim to their opponent having a better shooting performance. Cal and USC traded points throughout the entire second half, but the Trojans showed their experience in the first half which made the difference. The Golden Bears bounced back quickly as it stole one from USC’s playbook: start strong in the first half and go back-and-forth in the second half. That method worked for Cal who pulled off their first Pac-12 basketball win of the season.