With two weeks remaining in the Pac-12 regular season there are four teams within one game of first place and six teams within two games of the top spot.
The Buffs are currently sixth in the standings with some NCAA Tournament “Bracketologists” predicting six Pac-12 teams will get into the field. I think the number will be five when the dust settles, which means Colorado needs a strong finish to avoid another disappointing Selection Sunday at Tad Boyle’s house.
Here are my Pac-12 rankings entering CU’s critical Bay Area swing:
Ranking/previous (record) comment
1/2 Arizona (23-4, 11-4) — It just feels like the Wildcats are going to win the regular-season title. Up next: Wednesday at USC.
2/1 Oregon (22-6, 11-4) – Ducks are 6-3 in true road games and 3-1 vs. ranked teams this season. Up next: Thursday vs. Oregon State.
3/5 Cal (18-9, 10-5) — Bears are 7-1 since falling to 3-4 in conference play after Jan. 27 loss in Boulder. Up next: Thursday vs. Utah.
4/3 UCLA (20-7, 10-4) — Bruins tied for first in the loss column after big road win against rival Trojans. Up next: Wednesday vs. Arizona State.
5/4 Arizona State (20-8, 9-6) — Sun Devils’ NCAA dreams could be made or broken in Hollywood this week. Up next: Wednesday at UCLA.
6/6 Colorado (18-8, 8-6) — Buffs will have to win out to get a top-four seed at the conference tournament. Up next: Wednesday at Stanford.
7/8 Stanford (16-12, 7-8) — This is a difficult team to figure out. Buffs need a Stanford sweep. Up next: Wednesday vs. Colorado.
8/9 Washington (15-13, 7-8) — The basketball version of the Apple Cup is rotten this season. Up next: Sunday vs. Washington State.
9/7 USC (12-15, 7-7) – Bob Cantu has done a good job, but you get the feeling the Trojans will hire a big name. Up next: Wednesday vs. Arizona.
10/11 Utah (11-15, 3-11) — If you watch the Utes closely, Larry Krystkowiak has the program headed in the right direction. Up next: Thursday at Cal.
11/10 Oregon State (13-15, 3-12) — Craig Robinson’s team finding creative ways to lose every week. Up next: Thursday at Oregon.
12/12 Washington State (11-17, 2-13) — Eight consecutive losses for the Cougars. Up next: Sunday at Washington.
