Pac-12 women’s basketball power rankings — Week 9

Oregon continues to dominate top of Pac-12 while Cougars remain No. 10 after losing last four games

JOHN SPELLMAN, Evergreen reporter

  1. No. 6 Oregon (Last: 1)

 

The Ducks were able to cap off an impressive season on their way to another number one seed in the Pac-12 Tournament. After a dominant regular season, it seems they’re in contention for a deep run at a possible national championship.

 

  1. No. 7 Stanford (Last: 2)

 

The Cardinal came up just short in their quest to become the No. 1 seed in the conference, but they look to keep up their momentum after finishing the season on a six-game winning streak.

 

 

  1. 3. 11 Oregon State (Last: 3)

 

The Beavers had a tough final road trip before the conference tournament, going 1-1, the one loss coming from Arizona State. Despite the loss, the Beavers will be a tough team to beat in March.

 

  1. No. 25 UCLA (Last: 4)

 

UCLA had an amazing turnaround to their season, winning 10 of their last 12 games after starting conference play with a 2-4 record. Their impressive finish led to them getting the final first-round bye in the conference tournament.

 

  1. No. 20 Arizona State (Last: 6)

 

The Sun Devils shocked Oregon State at home with a big upset win, before they lost a close game with the dominant Oregon Ducks. They hope to hit their stride as the Sun Devils look to be on the bubble of making the NCAA Tournament.

 

  1. Utah (Last: 5)

 

The Utes did not have the finish to the season that they were looking for after starting off conference play with an impressive start. They finished the season by getting swept by the Los Angeles schools as Utah looks to make some quick adjustments in order to have a chance to make the NCAA Tournament.

 

  1. Cal (Last: 7)

 

Cal is not a team anyone wants to play in the Pac-12 Tournament. Despite entering as the seventh seed, they are one of the hottest teams in the conference, ending the season with a four-game winning streak. Their opponents will also have to find a way to contain senior forward Kristine Anigwe, who was the first player to get 32 points and 30 rebounds in 16 years.

 

  1. Arizona (Last: 8)

 

Arizona is a team that can score lot of points; however, their lack of defense presented a big issue as they finished the season on a four-game losing streak. They need to improve quickly if they want to move up in the Pac-12 Tournament.

 

  1. USC (Last: 9)

 

USC was able to close off its regular season by sweeping the mountain schools at home in some close games. USC will take on Arizona in the first round, the Trojans looking to surprise some teams with their late-season turnaround.

 

  1. WSU (Last: 10)

 

WSU had an interesting end to the season after getting dominated at home by the Cal Bears, who the Cougars will take on in the first round at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Head Coach Kamie Ethridge knows her team will need to improve if they want to move on to the second round.

 

  1. Washington (Last: 11)

 

The Huskies were unable to get any momentum in what turned out to be a tough season in conference play. A win in the conference tournament would really help team morale even if it would likely not lead to conference play.

 

  1. Colorado (Last: 12)

 

Colorado did not have the season they hoped for, but two wins towards the end of the season kept them from going winless in conference play. They take on a good Arizona State team in the first round, so they know they have a tall task ahead of them.