Pac-12 Power Rankings — 3/7/13

1. Oregon (23-6, 12-4) — The Ducks are the best team in the Pac-12 as long as Dominic Artis is healthy, but he only saw 12 minutes in a win at Oregon State. Oregon should get its first conference title since 2002 if its point guard’s foot injury is no longer a problem. Damyean Dotson also has a hip injury, but is expected to play.

2. Cal (20-10, 12-6) — Cal’s defense had held locked down opponents to 33.7 percent shooting through a seven-win streak, but couldn’t stop Stanford in their season finale. Allen Crabbe and the Cardinal’s Dwight Powell also started a scuffle that ended with the ejection of two players and three assistant coaches — including Mark Madsen.

3. UCLA (22-8, 12-5) — The Bruins lost to Washington State for the first time in 20 years. Washington State was missing its second- and third-leading scorers. Oh, and UCLA forward Travis Wear re-aggravated his sprained right ankle. A share of the Pac-12 title is within reach if Oregon loses, but what an awful night for this team.

4. Arizona (23-6, 11-6) — Arizona looks shaky, but ‘Senior Night’ at home against ASU should solve that for at least one game. The Wildcats will petition for a fifth year for recently-turned starter Kevin Parrom, which would be nice considering that his career has been fraught with injuries, a shooting, and the deaths of both his mother and grandmother.

5. Colorado (19-9, 9-7) — A trip to Cal resulted in worst shooting performance of the year (23.1 percent) for a very average offense. The Buffs have only lost twice at home this season — by a total of four points — so they do have a decent chance at upsetting a banged-up Oregon team.

6. Washington (17-13, 9-8) — Freshman Jernard Jarreau’s minutes have ticked up a bit in February, and he rewarded Lorenzo Romar with a career-high 12 points against USC. No Husky had more than two field goals except Scott Suggs, but Jarreau was perfect in eight attempts at the line. He also got Trojan center Dewayne Dedmon in foul trouble.

7. USC (14-16, 9-8) — Bob Cantu guided his team to bounce-back wins over Arizona and ASU before losing in Seattle. It wouldn’t be too surprising if he gets the Trojans to their 10th conference victory on Saturday at WSU. Jio Fontan is playing through a sprained right wrist and shot 2-of-10 against Washington.

8. Arizona State (20-10, 9-8) — The Sun Devils are on the wrong side of bubble after three straight losses, and will end the regular season in Tucson against rival Arizona. The Wildcats crushed ASU 71-54 in their last meeting; they’ll be itching to reprise that performance after getting swept in Los Angeles.

9. Stanford (18-13, 9-9) — Three-pointers are a great equalizer, and when the Cardinal can hit them, they’re a tough out for any team. Stanford shot 52.9 percent from beyond the arc at Cal, likely spoiling the Bears’ chances at a share of the Pac-12 title. If Johnny Dawkins’ team can keep doing that into the conference tournament … well, anyone in the Pac-12 can beat anyone, yeah?

10. Utah (11-17, 3-13) — The Utes will end their season in Vegas, but they’ve shown glimpses of promise throughout the season under second-year coach Larry Krystkowiak. The Huntsman Center is also filling up again, ranking fourth in the conference after Arizona, UCLA and Colorado.

11. Washington State (12-17, 3-13) — The Cougars broke a two-decade losing streak by finally beating the Bruins by home, but is there anything to build toward? Starting guard DaVonte Lacy is out for the season with a torn meniscus in his knee, so an early exit in the Pac-12 tournament still seems inevitable. Leading scorer Brock Motum is graduating, so there’s little promise for next year unless four-star point guard Ikenna Iroegbu is ready immediately.

12. Oregon State (13-16, 3-13) — Washington State’s win leaves the Beavers and the Utes sharing the conference’s longest active losing streak at four games. The two meet in Salt Lake City, so one will end its woe Thursday night.

Past rankings:
February 27
February 19
February 12
February 5
January 28
January 21
January 14
January 7