Pac-12 Basketball Power Rankings: Oregon Debuts as No. 1
By Alex Weber
11 of the 12 teams in the appropriately named Pac-12 Conference began the 2018-19 basketball last week. With the seasonal whimsy and exuberance of the opening week, here’s how I think the teams rank out:
1. Oregon Ducks (2-0)
Won vs. Portland State 84-57, Won vs. Eastern Washington 81-47
2. UCLA Bruins (2-0)
Won vs. Purdue Fort Wayne 96-71, Won vs. Long Beach State 91-80
3. Washington Huskies (2-1)
Won vs. Western Kentucky 73-55, Lost @ Auburn 88-66, Won vs. San Diego 66-63
4. USC Trojans (1-1)
Won vs. Robert Morris 83-62, Lost vs. Vanderbilt 82-78
5. Arizona State Sun Devils (3-0)
Won vs. CSU Fullerton 102-94, Won vs. McNeese 80-52, Won vs. Long Beach State 90-58
6. Arizona Wildcats (2-0)
Won vs. Houston Baptist 90-60, Won vs. Cal Poly 82-61
7. Colorado Buffaloes (0-0)
8. Oregon State Beavers (2-0)
Won vs. UC Riverside 72-59, Won vs. Wyoming 83-64
9. Stanford Cardinal (2-1)
Won vs. Seattle 96-74, Won @UNCW 72-59, Lost @ UNC 90-72
10. Washington State (1-0)
Won vs. Nicholls 89-72
11. Utah Utes (1-1)
Won vs. 75-71, Lost @ Minnesota 78-69
12. California Golden Bears (0-1)
Lost vs. Yale 76-59
Quick Hitters
Oregon – The Ducks comfortably looked the part of potential Pac-12 Kings. Their defense, anchored by the shot-swatting combo of Kenny Wooten and fascinating freshman Bol Bol imposed their will on out-manned Portland State and Eastern Washington. Dana Altman’s club goes 10 deep with athletic scorers and capable defenders. The Ducks will be a tough matchup for virtually every team in the conference based on their athleticism and versatile scoring capabilities.
Washington – I watched both of the Huskies first two games and came away impressed. I know that sounds odd given that Auburn beat them like Clubber Lang beat Rocky in the first Rocky III fight. But let me tell you this: Auburn is Final Four good. They shot lights out from three and their home crowd was more amped up than a 13-year-old after chugging a Red Bull. To me, Jaylen Nowell, Matisse Thybulle and Noah Dickerson are a dynamic trio on both ends of the court that will rake up wins in the conference slate. And Thybulle man, that dude may be the best perimeter defender I’ve seen in a while.
USC – I watched the entirety of their loss to Vanderbilt–who is actually pretty good by the way–and came away encouraged with the Trojans. Kevin Porter is crazy talented. He’s one that we’ll look back an think “why wasn’t this guy a 5-star, he’s going top 20 in the draft?” A “DIAPER DANDY” as Dicky V would say. Oh wait, Dicky V doesn’t call inconsequential Pac-12 games, my bad.
California – They lost to Yale, YALE! by 16. And Wyking Jones still has a job. How? Or here’s the better question: WY?