Pac-12 Power Rankings
1. California
There are a lot of fans and analysts who want to place the Washington Huskies above the Golden Bears, but that’s not going to happen on this blog. At the end of the day, Cal is the more efficient team, they have better chemistry, and they are only slightly worse than the Huskies talent-wise. The Huskies may be ahead of them in the conference with a 9-2 record, but it will take more from them to dethrone Cal.
2. Washington
Earlier in conference play, the Washington Huskies were defeated 69-66 by the California Golden Bears. Although they are a much better team, they should still be regarded as the second best team in the conference. The Huskies, however, are finally starting to tap into their full potential and are the most talented squad in the Pac-12. They are on the cusp of being the best team in the conference, but Cal’s efficiency statistics and accomplishments in non-conference play keep them at the top.
3. Arizona
Like Washington, Arizona is finally starting to find their way back and recently defeated Stanford and Cal. The young talent on Sean Miller’s squad is finally starting to come together and perform, and this team is beginning to show why they are the second most efficient team in the conference. ‘Zona has had the toughest schedule in the conference, but they are now 7-4 and trending upward. Miller isn’t done yet; the Wildcats are just getting started.
4. Colorado Buffaloes
They just keep winning. The Buffs are a mediocre team in terms of efficiency, but they are 8-3 and deserved that decisive win over the Oregon Ducks. The foul call at the end of the game was controversial, but Colorado played better basketball than the Ducks in that game. Be on the look out for signs of regression, but it’s impossible to ignore an 8-3 record.
5. Oregon Ducks
The Ducks can’t slip too far, but my fandom forced me to place the Ducks at third in the conference. They aren’t a top three team, even in the Pac-12, and their below-average efficiency stats show it. However, Dana Altman and the Ducks are 7-4 and also have that uncanny ability to rack up wins.
6. Stanford Cardinal
This is a drop-by-default scenario, because the Cardinal are still good; it’s just that they aren’t doing much right now. They are showing signs of regression, and their defense isn’t where it was a month ago. That’s a problem when a team can’t score, and the Cardinal are no longer able to win those games that go into the 50s and low 60s.
7. UCLA
Seriously, UCLA is better than the Oregon State Beavers, but Jared Cunningham makes it tough to choose. Travis and David Wear are two of the most efficient players in the Pac-12, and the Bruins are the best offensive team in the conference. However, their subpar defense is holding them back. The Bruins have one more win than the Beavers in conference play and are the more efficient team.
8. Oregon State
The Beavers don’t lack star power with Cunningham and Devon Collier, but they do lack defense and allow .95 adjusted points per play. They are great offensively and defeated Oregon, and they can get into the top half of the conference. Provided, they start playing defense.
9. Washington State
After the eighth spot, talking about each team starts to become a bore. The worst four teams in the Pac-12 are as bad as it gets in any conference, and Wazzu is no exception. They can score points and are tough to beat at home, but they can’t defend and have no talent.
10. Arizona State
ASU is actually less efficient than the USC Trojans, but they also have three wins and haven’t lost ten games. And oh yeah, they can actually score (.98 adjPPP). Wait, they can’t score, but they average more than .912 points per play.
11. USC
Although they are one of the worst offensive teams in the country, their good defensive play actually gives them some sort of an argument against the Sun Devils. Tell Aaron Fuller (20.1 PER) that the Trojans are the worst offensive team in the conference, but he probably misses Dewayne Dedmon. Heck, the whole team and fan base wishes Dedmon would miraculously heal and continue to allow just .93 points per play against him.
12. Utah
They are the least efficient team in the conference and are one of the worst teams in the entire country. Their only wins were against a Wazzu team that plays dead on the road (it took them overtime), and the Sun Devils who just plain stink. The fact that the latter victory was a blowout was surprising, but that’s as far as this team is going to get. They aren’t even one of the best 300 teams in the country.
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