As we enter the final month of the college basketball regular season, Drew VonScio gives his Pac-12 basketball power rankings.
Matchup of the Week: Stanford vs Washington State (Feb. 17 – 6 p.m.)
Sneaky Good Matchup of the Week: UCLA vs Colorado (Feb. 15 – 9 p.m.)
All games listed are EST.
Seed projections are based on the latest bracketology reports as of Feb. 12.
1. Arizona Wildcats
Last Week’s Ranking: 1 (-)
Record: 19-5 (10-3)
Last Week: W at Utah (105-99 3OT), W at Colorado (99-79)
Next Week: vs. Arizona State (Feb. 17 – 9:30 p.m.)
Quality Wins: at Duke, Wisconsin, Alabama, at Oregon, Michigan State, Utah (x2), Colorado (x2)
Bad Losses: at Stanford, at Oregon State
Seed Projection: 2 – Mat Mlodzinski (CBB Review), 1 – Joe Lunardi (ESPN), 1 – Jerry Palm (CBS)
The game of the week lived up to its hype as Arizona needed 55 minutes to edge past Utah. Pelle Larsson scored 27 points for the Wildcats while Caleb Love and Oumar Ballo both recorded a double-double. Arizona had a strong start to the game but proceeded to have a lackluster second half defensively. It wasn’t until the third overtime the Wildcats were able to pull away for good. This group turned the ball over just eight times in 55 minutes of action which shows it knows how to take care of the ball. Against Colorado, it was Love who led the way with 19 while Ballo picked up another double-double. The Wildcats shot 53% from the field in the 20-point win, and they are a team that has depth as five players scored 10+ points in both matchups this past week.
2. Washington State
Last Week’s Ranking: 6 (+4)
Record: 18-6 (9-4)
Last Week: W at Oregon State (64-58), W at Oregon (62-56)
Next Week: vs. Cal (Feb. 10 – 10 p.m.), vs. Stanford (Feb. 17 – 6 p.m.)
Quality Wins: Arizona, Utah, Boise State, at Oregon, Colorado
Bad Losses: at Cal
Seed Projection: First Four Out – Mat Mlodzinski (CBB Review), Last Four In – Joe Lunardi (ESPN), 7 – Jerry Palm (CBS)
Washington State makes a huge jump this week with a 2-0 performance last week and a very strong resume to this point in the season. The Cougars have emerged as a candidate to make the NCAA Tournament as Jaylen Wells scored 24 points in the win over Oregon State. It was a defensive battle through much of the game for Washington State with Andrej Jakimovski and Isaac Jones being the only other players who scored significant points. The scoring balance improved slightly against Oregon, but the Cougars weren’t as strong from the foul line: just 68% which made the game closer than it needed to be. The Cougars have just one game the rest of the season where they’re the underdog (at Arizona) which sets them up to control their own destiny into the Pac-12 Tournament.
3. Oregon Ducks
Last Week’s Ranking: 2 (-1)
Record: 16-8 (8-5)
Last Week: W vs. Washington (85-80), L vs. Washington State (62-56)
Next Week: at Oregon State (Feb. 17 – 10 p.m.)
Quality Wins: at Washington State
Bad Losses: Santa Clara
Seed Projection: Next Four Out – Mat Mlodzinski (CBB Review), NA – Joe Lunardi (ESPN), NA – Jerry Palm (CBS)
Ducks fans will be disappointed with how the week ended, but they are still in the thick of things when it comes to possibly making March Madness. Jermaine Couisnard averaged 21.5 points per game this past week for Oregon, highlighted by 27 against Washington. If Oregon can balance out the good and the bad from this past week behind the arc and figure out how to have better success on the boards, then there is not doubt about the Ducks going to the dance. What won’t cut it though is shooting 22% from deep like they did against Washington State or the 8-14 statistic at the free throw line. Oregon ends the season with a string of tough opponents in Arizona, Colorado and Utah, so these next four games before the gauntlet may just define the season.
4. Colorado Buffaloes
Last Week’s Ranking: 4 (-)
Record: 16-8 (7-6)
Last Week: W vs. Arizona State (82-70), L vs. Arizona (99-79)
Next Week: at UCLA (Feb. 15 – 9 p.m.), at USC (Feb. 17 – 10 p.m.)
Quality Wins: Washington State, Oregon, Richmond, Miami (Fla)
Bad Losses: at Arizona State, at Cal
Seed Projection: 11 – Mat Mlodzinski (CBB Review), First Four Out – Joe Lunardi (ESPN), Last Four In – Jerry Palm (CBS)
After what was a closer game than expected against Arizona State, Colorado got punched in the mouth a little bit against Arizona. In the matchup with the Sun Devils, J’Vonne Hadley produced a double-double as he led the Buffaloes with 19 points. Offensively, Colorado didn’t really put a foot wrong. It was just that the same group couldn’t get a stop when it came time to play defense. Against the Wildcats though, the play took a turn south as the Buffaloes shot 29% from three and coughed up possession 16 times. You might be able to beat a mid-major team with that many turnovers, but it certainly isn’t going to happen against Arizona. Much like Oregon, the fate of this season truthfully comes down to how these last seven games go. No bad losses can happen at this point.
5. Stanford Cardinal
Last Week’s Ranking: 5 (-)
Record: 12-11 (7-6)
Last Week: L vs. UCLA (82-74), W vs. USC (99-68)
Next Week: at Washington (Feb. 15 – 9 p.m.), at Washington State (Feb. 17 – 6 p.m.)
Quality Wins: Arizona, Utah
Bad Losses: Michigan, Northern Iowa, at USC, at Cal, UCLA
Seed Projection: NA – Mat Mlodzinski (CBB Revew), NA – Joe Lunardi (ESPN), NA – Jerry Palm (CBS)
Stanford had a week that went as most expected it to, but the Cardinal fought until the end against UCLA. Maxime Raynaud continues to perform at an elite level with a double-double against the Bruins of 20 points and 10 rebounds while following it up with 25 points against USC. Stanford shot extremely well from the field against UCLA, but its kryptonite was from deep as it only shot 23.5%. That makes a difference when you lose by eight points. The number more than doubled against USC as the Cardinal shot an even 50% from behind the arc. Grabbing 41 rebounds compared to your opponent’s 25 also makes the game much easier. If the turnovers could be cut in half on a daily basis, Stanford would be in much better shape this year.
6. Utah Utes
Last Week’s Ranking: 3 (-3)
Record: 15-9 (6-7)
Last Week: L vs Arizona (105-99 3OT), L vs Arizona State (85-77)
Next Week: at USC (Feb. 15 – 11 p.m.), at UCLA (Feb. 18 – 7 p.m.)
Quality Wins: at Saint Mary’s, BYU, Washington State, Colorado, Wake Forest, Oregon
Bad Losses: Arizona State (x2)
Seed Projection: 10 – Mat Mlodzinski (CBB Review), 8 – Joe Lunardi (ESPN), Last Four In – Jerry Palm (CBS)
Utah has seen better weeks of college basketball this year, let’s put it that way. To the Utes’ credit, they gave everything they had in the game against Arizona but ran out of gas in triple overtime. Branden Carlson and Deivon Smith each picked up double-doubles, but Utah was just 1-9 from three in the extra periods and 0-6 in the second and third overtimes. Against Arizona, that just can’t happen. In the matchup with the Sun Devils, Carlson recorded another double-double despite the supporting cast not being as strong. One stat though really hurt the Utes: free throws. The Utes were just 6-13 from the foul line. Pair that with 22% from three-point range in the second half, and that’s how you lose in college basketball. They took a tumble in the rankings but can move back up quickly.
7. UCLA Bruins
Last Week’s Ranking: 7 (-)
Record: 13-11 (8-5)
Last Week: W at Stanford (82-74), W at Cal (61-60)
Next Week: vs. Colorado (Feb. 15 – 9 p.m.), vs. Utah (Feb. 18 – 7 p.m.)
Quality Wins: Oregon, at Stanford
Bad Losses: CSU Northridge, Stanford, Cal
Seed Projection: NA – Mat Mlodzinski (CBB Review), NA – Joe Lunardi (ESPN), NA – Jerry Palm (CBS)
New year, new UCLA as the Bruins continue to stay hot with two more wins. Sebastian Mack dropped 21 points in the win over Stanford. Despite losing the rebound battle, UCLA took advantage of coughing up the basketball less and getting extra possessions to score 20 points off of turnovers. That total is almost always going to make the difference when it comes to close games like this one. The Bruins fought through a slugfest against Cal with Adem bona being the highest scorer at 13 points. Defense quickly became the name of the game against the Golden Bears, and the Bruins got squeaked by with a win. Wins all count the same even if they’re ugly, and that’s exactly what UCLA did this past week.
8. Washington Huskies
Last Week’s Ranking: 8 (-)
Record: 13-11 (5-8)
Last Week: L at Oregon (85-80), W vs. Oregon State (67-55)
Next Week: vs. Stanford (Feb. 15 – 9 p.m.), vs. Cal (Feb. 17 – 8 p.m.)
Quality Wins: Utah, Gonzaga
Bad Losses: at UCLA
Seed Projection: NA – Mat Mlodzinski (CBB Review), NA – Joe Lunardi (ESPN), NA – Jerry Palm (CBS)
Despite three players scoring 15+ for the Huskies, it wasn’t enough for Washington against Oregon. The biggest reason? The Huskies went just 4-21 from behind the arc, good enough for just for 19%. The guy who uses pick-up basketball stats as his personality can probably shot better than 19% from three. Shooting that low at the college level is something Washington will want to forget about as soon as possible. The number increased to 33% against Oregon State, which isn’t great but worlds better than what it was against Oregon. Keion Brooks Jr scored 23 against the Beavers and was just one rebound shy of a double-double. Things haven’t gone well for Washington in conference play, so this win speaks more to how bad Oregon State is currently.
9. Arizona State Sun Devils
Last Week’s Ranking: 9 (-)
Record: 12-12 (6-7)
Last Week: L at Colorado (82-70), W vs. Utah (85-77)
Next Week: vs. Oregon State (Feb. 14 – 9 p.m.), at Arizona (Feb. 17 – 9:30 p.m.)
Quality Wins: Utah (x2), Colorado, San Francisco
Bad Losses: at San Diego, UCLA, at Oregon State, Stanford, Cal
Seed Projection: NA – Mat Mlodzinski (CBB Review), NA – Joe Lunardi (ESPN), NA – Jerry Palm (CBS)
Despite Frankie Collins scoring 18 points, it wasn’t enough for Arizona State as it lost the boards 37-29 with second chance points being 10-4 in favor of the Buffaloes. While it’s not a guarantee the Sun Devils would’ve won if those stats were closer, the difference certainly wouldn’t have been as large. Arizona State took care of the basketball well in the loss, too. The Sun Devils bounced back and shocked Utah led by Jose Perez’s 21 points. The Sun Devils scored 21 points off of turnovers and shot greater than 40% from both the field and behind the arc. Arizona State had Utah’s number early in the season and came back to complete the season sweep for their fifth straight win over the Utes.
10. Cal Golden Bears
Last Week’s Ranking: 10 (-)
Record: 10-14 (6-7)
Last Week: W vs. USC (83-77 OT), L vs. UCLA (61-60)
Next Week: at Washington State (Feb. 15 – 10 p.m.), at Washington (Feb. 17 – 8 p.m.)
Quality Wins: Colorado
Bad Losses: Montana State, UTEP, Tulane, at USC
Seed Projection: NA – Mat Mlodzinski (CBB Review), NA – Joe Lunardi (ESPN), NA – Jerry Palm (CBS)
Jaylon Tyson and Fardaws Aimaq put on a show for Cal in the win against USC; Tyson produced a double-double of 27 points and 11 rebounds while Aimaq scored 15 points and grabbed 20 rebounds. Even with turning the ball over 16 times, the Golden bears benefitted from double the amount of rebounds the Trojans pulled in. Aimaq posted another double-double in the loss against UCLA with 12 points and rebounds each. The Golden Bears shot just 30% from behind the arc in the loss as they went 8-26, and that certainly made the difference. Just one more three pointer could’ve won it for Cal or shooting better than 56% at the foul line. The Golden Bears are certainly performing higher than expected this season, so beggars can’t be choosers.
11. USC Trojans
Last Week’s Ranking: 11 (-)
Record: 9-15 (3-10)
Last Week: L at Cal (83-77 OT), L at Stanford (99-68)
Next Week: vs. Utah (Feb. 15 – 11 p.m.), vs. Colorado (Feb. 17 – 10 p.m.)
Quality Wins: Seton Hall, Kansas State
Bad Losses: UC Irvine, Long Beach State, at Oregon State, UCLA
Seed Projection: NA – Mat Mlodzinski (CBB Review), NA – Joe Lunardi (ESPN), NA – Jerry Palm (CBS)
There’s good news and bad news for USC fans. The bad news is, this season is still a disaster. The good news, though, is Isaiah Collier is back from injury. In the loss against Cal, Collier played 28 minutes off the bench and led the Trojans with 20 points. He led the team a few days later with 18 in the loss to Stanford. Free throws killed USC against the Golden Bears while it was rebounding that was the thorn in the Trojans’ side against Stanford. Outside of DJ Rodman scoring 17 points against Cal, Collier was the only player for USC to score in double figures during both games. I know Collier is an extremely talented player, but he can’t be expected to be the entire offense every night.
12. Oregon State Beavers
Last Week’s Ranking: 12 (-)
Record: 11-13 (3-10)
Last Week: L vs. Washington State (64-58), L vs. Washington (67-55)
Next Week: at Arizona State (Feb. 14 – 9 p.m.), vs. Oregon (Feb. 17 – 10 p.m.)
Quality Wins: Arizona
Bad Losses: UCLA, Stanford
Seed Projection: NA – Mat Mlodzinski (CBB Review), NA – Joe Lunardi (ESPN), NA – Jerry Palm (CBS)
Two more games and just as many losses for Oregon State, but both of them came down to the end. Against Washington State, it was Jordan Pope and Tyler Bilodeau who scored 23 of the 58 points. Much like several teams in the Pac-12 this week, three-point shooting was not kind to the Beavers at all at just 25%. If one or two of those shots go in, this game could have had a completely different ending and changed these power rankings more. Michael Rataj stepped up against Washington as Bilodeau didn’t have the best scoring game. The Beavers could not capitalize on turnovers from the Huskies. Oregon State forced 11 turnovers and only produced six points from them which certainly had a big impact on the game.