By Dane Miller, SuperWest Sports
Oregon retains the top spot in our latest Power Rankings despite losing to a ranked team at home.
Arizona, Gonzaga, and UCLA remain in the thick of things as well despite their losses in the Big 12, WCC, and Big Ten.
Here’s how I see the Top 10 squads from the West stacking up heading into Week 12.
1. Oregon, Big Ten (4-3, 15-3)
The Ducks lost to Purdue in Eugene but remain a step above the rest of the teams out West.
With an 7-2 record in Quad 1 games, Oregon’s NET metrics are elite.
Only Auburn has more Q1 wins nationally and the Ducks are 8-0 at road/neutral sites. Facing Washington and Minnesota this week, UO should get back into the win column.
[2024-25 Big Ten Basketball Standings, Results, and Upcoming Games]
2. Arizona, Big 12 (5-1, 11-6)
The metrics love Arizona. The Wildcats are No. 16 in KenPom and No. 14 in the NET.
Last week, the Cats beat then-No. 25 Baylor but were blown out on the road against Texas Tech a few days later.
The grueling Big 12 schedule should help prepare UA for a run in March.
[2024-25 Big 12 Basketball Standings, Results, and Upcoming Games]
3. Gonzaga, WCC (5-2, 14-6)
Losing on the road to Oregon State is one thing. Dropping a game at home to Santa Clara is an entirely different ballgame.
Gonzaga’s two losses put the program into unfamiliar territory. When was the last time the Zags dropped two conference games this early into the WCC season?
Granted the league is stronger this year with the additions of Oregon State and Washington State. But Gonzaga’s struggles are concerning.
4. UCLA, Big Ten (3-4, 12-6)
Mick Cronin finally found a way to stop the losing streak. After dropping four straight games, UCLA throttled Iowa at Pauley Pavilion.
This Tuesday’s game against Wisconsin is an opportunity to turn the page on the midseason struggles.
If the Bruins defend their home court and send the Badgers home with a loss, the outlook on the season changes.
5. Utah State, Mountain West (6-1, 16-2)
The loss on the road to UNLV doesn’t look as bad after the Rebels beat San Diego State at Viejas Arena.
But how the Aggies respond this week against Nevada and Air Force could be telling. Convincing margins of victory in both games would help cover up the damage from the loss in Vegas.
Every game matters and Utah State needs to respond at home.
[2024-25 Mountain West Basketball Standings, Results, and Upcoming Games]
6. New Mexico, Mountain West (7-1, 15-4)
The Lobos crushed Boise State in Albuquerque for a statement victory last Friday. But the loss earlier in the week to San Jose State is a problem.
It’s a long season and there are plenty of opportunities remaining to make up for it.
Even so, it’s a bad loss that will remain a demerit on UNM’s at-large resume.
7. Saint Mary’s, WCC (6-0, 16-3)
The Gaels have taken care of business during their soft opening stretch of WCC play. But the easy games end now.
San Francisco, Washington State, Santa Clara, and Gonzaga are all up next. How Saint Mary’s does over the next few games could define its season.
Each contest presents an opportunity for a resume-building win.
8. San Diego State, Mountain West (4-3, 11-5)
The Aztecs are hanging on by a thread. The nonconference wins over Creighton and Houston are the only reason San Diego State is still on the bubble.
With Mountain West losses to Utah State, New Mexico, and now UNLV, its at-large resume is becoming questionable.
But at No. 43 in KenPom and No. 45 in the NET, SDSU remains on the cusp.
9. Stanford, ACC (4-3, 12-6)
The potential of Kyle Smith at Stanford feels limitless.
Already with a signature win in the ACC, the outlook for the next few seasons has risen. The Conference is a well-respected league and the Tree are above .500 in conference play.
That puts Stanford somewhere around the bubble and a team to monitor moving forward.
10. UC Irvine, Big West (7-0, 17-2)
At No. 57 in KenPom, UC Irvine continues to have a strong season. The Anteaters are 17-2 overall and 43rd in the NET.
The Big West doesn’t get any respect from the Selection Committee and is unlikely to receive any at-large bids.
But if UC Irvine continues to dominate the Conference, its at-large resume would force the committee members to at least consider them as a bubble team.