Week 17 ATQ Pac-12 Basketball Power Rankings. Quack on top

1. Oregon (23-6) (12-4)

The Ducks are back in the top spot thanks to sweeping the Washington schools at home. Not only did Oregon close out the home slate undefeated but also the top ranking was reclaimed thanks to the poor week from Arizona. With a majority of the tiebreakers favoring the Ducks, Oregon just needs to avoid getting swept in Southern California.

2. Utah (23-7) (12-5)

The experienced Utes are peaking at the right time. They started off the week the right way with a 35-point victory over Arizona State but capped it off with the huge victory over Arizona. Now the Utes are just a half game behind Oregon in the standings with just one remaining game against Colorado. Don’t see many teams out there excited to play Jakob Poeltl in the tournament.

3. California (21-8) (11-5)

California is another one of those Pac-12 teams who have everything clicking at the right time. This week the Golden Bears knocked off UCLA by 12 and followed that up by beating USC by 22. Now winners of seven straight, this is a team nobody wants to see come tournament time.

4. Arizona (22-7) (10-6)

With the conference championship in sight, the Wildcats failed miserably as they dropped games to both Colorado and Utah. The losses combined for a margin of just nine points, but regardless the damage was done. The offense was the main culprit as it averaged just 68 points in the two losses.

5. Colorado (21-9) (10-7)

Very solid week for the Buffaloes knocking off both Arizona schools. Sure, the margin of victory wasn’t great in either as the wins combined for just 13 points, but regardless it’s great for the resume. Most impressive was Josh Scott his week as he sparked the Buffaloes upset over Arizona with his 26 point, 9 rebound performance.

6. Oregon State (17-10) (8-8)

A really nice week by the Beavers to boost their NCAA tournament chances as they knocked off both Washington schools. Sure, the Washington buzzer beater is full of controversy but in the record books it counts as a win. Gary Payton II continues to make a last minute push for Pac-12 player of the year as he averaged 14 points, 5 assists, 8.5 and rebounds per game in the two victories.

7. Stanford (15-12) (8-8)

One of the biggest leaps of the week belongs to the Stanford Cardinal who shoot up from the number ten position. A very solid week for the Cardinal as they beat the Trojans by 20 and the UCLA Bruins by 9. Many experts have them solidly on the bubble and a Pac-12 finale at Arizona gives a chance for the icing on top.

8. USC (19-10) (8-8)

Major collapse this week from the Trojans as they dropped both games to the Northern California schools by 20+ points. The offense has been on a straight nosedive as this week the average was just 64.5 in the losses. Now losers of five out of six games, the once NCAA tournament lock of the Trojans are now in major danger.

9. Washington (16-13) (8-9)

As overachieving that this season has been for the Huskies, this has been an underwhelming end to the season. Sure, the Oregon State loss was a tough one but Washington didn’t give themselves much of a chance to win either game down in Oregon. Now losers of six of the last seven games they need a serious run in the conference tournament.

10. UCLA (15-14) (6-10)

The Bruins just might not be that good after all. This week they dropped back-to-back games to California and Stanford all but kissing their NCAA tournament chances goodbye. With the defense giving up an average of 77 per game this past week, Ducks fans will be hoping that trend continues.

11. Arizona State (14-15) (4-12)

The Sun Devils can’t assemble any sort of momentum, this week they lost to the Mountain schools by a combined 45 points. Better things lie ahead for Bobby Hurley’s squad, but this was a season to forget.

12.  Washington State (9-20) (1-16)

The misery is so close to ending for the Cougars. Yet another week with back-to-back losses and with the Huskies remaining, 16 straight losses remains a legit possibility

Now, for a look at the big games in the week ahead:

Wed. Mar. 2nd: Oregon at UCLA. Oregon State at USC.

Thur. Mar. 3rd: California at Arizona

Sat. Mar. 5th: Utah at Colorado. Oregon at USC.