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ASU, USC round out Pac-12 power rankings

Washington forward Aziz N’Diaye (right) backs down Ruslan Pateev (left) in a game against ASU on Jan. 26. The Huskies are one of the most talented teams in the Pac-12. (Photo by Sam Rosenbaum)
Washington forward Aziz N’Diaye (right) backs down Ruslan Pateev (left) in a game against ASU on Jan. 26. The Huskies are one of the most talented teams in the Pac-12. (Photo by Sam Rosenbaum)

The Pacific Life Pac-12 Basketball Tournament begins Mar. 7, four days before Selection Sunday.

ESPN’s Joe Lunardi has three teams from the Pac-12 in his NCAA tournament bracket. Lunardi gave Cal a No. 10 seed, the best of the conference. Washington and UA are also in his 68-team bracket, while Colorado and Stanford are on the bubble.

As the big dance draws closer, here is where the Pac-12 stands with just four weeks left of conference play.

 

1. California (18-6, 8-3 Pac-12)

 

The Golden Bears aren’t technically leading the conference as of this moment. They’re arguably not even the most talented team in the Pac-12, but they have coach Mike Montgomery.

Cal is a well-coached team. Even on a day when they’re not shooting well, the Golden Bears find other ways to win. They struggled from the field against ASU, but blew them out by forcing 20 turnovers.

Cal gives up 60.4 points per game, the second fewest in the conference. Coupled with its ability to shoot and pass well — 17th in the country in assists and 27th in field goal percentage — Cal is the most complete team the Pac-12 offers.

 

2. Washington (16-7, 9-2 Pac-12)

 

The Huskies lead the conference and have one of its most talented teams. They’re the hottest team in the Pac-12 as they ride a five-game winning streak.

So, why are they second?

When you watch them play, it’s like watching a pickup game. Despite Washington’s athleticism, it doesn’t have any structure on offense. The Huskies are 121st in assists with coach Lorenzo Romar’s “let them play” mentality.

Washington also lost to Cal at home in the school’s only matchup this season, and the Huskies are 76th in Ratings Percentage Index.

 

3. Colorado (16-7, 8-3 Pac-12)

 

The Buffaloes picked up two solid wins at home against Oregon State and Oregon to extend their unbeaten conference home record to 7-0.

They haven’t been as successful on the road.

Colorado is 1-3 with its only win coming from USC, the worst team in the conference.

The Buffaloes have a big game at UA on Thursday with tournament implications. If there’s any time for a good showing on the road, it’s now.

 

4. Arizona (16-8, 7-4 Pac-12)

 

The Wildcats are starting to find their way with two impressive road wins against California and Stanford. Their RPI ranking jumped 23 spots to 62nd, second best in the conference. Senior guard Kyle Fogg was named Pac-12 Player of the Week when he averaged 18.5 points and four assists in the two-game span. He also shot 61.5 percent from 3-point range.

Even in UA’s recent losses, they’ve battled to the end. Three out of four conference losses were by two points or less.

 

5. Oregon (16-7, 6-5 Pac-12)

 

The Ducks have cooled off a bit following their four-game win streak. They’ve lost two out of their last three games by a combined six points, including a tough one-point loss to Colorado.

They’re 101st in the Sagarin ratings and 83rd in RPI. Oregon can get a nice bump in the rankings if it beats Washington at Matthew Knight Arena on Thursday. The Ducks are 11-3 this season at home.

 

6. Oregon State (15-8, 5-6 Pac-12)

 

It was difficult to get a read on Oregon State during the last power rankings. That hasn’t changed in two weeks.

The Beavers lost to the Sun Devils without junior guard Trent Lockett in the second half. Then, they won three out of their next four games, including a road game at Oregon.

Oregon State is still one of the best scoring teams in the country. They’re sixth in points per game, 11th in assists and 28th in field goal percentage.

The problem remains on defense as the Beavers allow 71.9 points per game, highest in the conference.

7. Stanford (16-7, 6-5 Pac-12)

 

How the mighty have fallen.

Stanford was a three-loss team less than a month ago, but has lost four out of its last five games. The Cardinal’s only win came against ASU.

Stanford was unable to beat some of the better teams in the conference like Washington, Cal and UA.

The Cardinal is 96th in RPI. Couple that with the 138th toughest schedule, and it’s difficult to see Stanford enter the tournament as an at-large bid.

 

8. UCLA (13-10, 6-5 Pac-12)

 

The Bruins blew a 10-point lead with seven minutes at Washington despite sophomore center Josh Smith’s career-high 24 points. UCLA bounced back to defeat Washington State on the road for its third road victory this season. UCLA is 2-5 on the road in conference play.

The Bruins won’t get a chance to improve their road record soon with three straight home games against Stanford, Cal and USC on the schedule.

 

9. Washington State (12-11, 4-7 Pac-12)

 

Washington State swept the northern California schools at home, but got swept by the Arizona schools on the road.

The absence of senior guard Faisal Aden certainly hurts. He tore a ligament in his left knee in the loss against UA. The season-ending injury to Aden leaves the Cougars with junior Brock Motum as the only player averaging double-figures in scoring.

 

10. Utah (5-18, 2-9 Pac-12)

 

Utah gives up nearly 15 points more per game than it scores. The Utes have yet to win on the road this season, but have their best shot to do so Thursday against ASU.

Utah could grab its first Pac-12 sweep against the Sun Devils. The Utes crushed ASU in their first meeting 64–43.

 

11. Arizona State (7-16, 3-8 Pac-12)

 

It’s safe to say this team desperately needs Lockett. The Sun Devils failed to compete without their leader on the floor, losing five of their last six games.

 

12. USC (6-18, 1-10 Pac-12)

 

Will USC win another Pac-12 game? This is a serious question.

The Trojans won’t get to play Utah, their only conference victory, for the remainder of the season.

They’ve won two games in the past two months, and it is unlikely USC will get a win this weekend facing Cal and Stanford.

 

Reach the reporter at mtesfats@asu.edu

 

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