Pac-12 women’s basketball standings: February 6
The Pac-12 women’s basketball landscape looks a lot better overall than the men’s. With the men expected to get three teams, and at best four, in the Big Dance, the women’s side could have as many as eight.
It was another week of ultra-competitive, contentious, compelling basketball for the Pac-12, and each week that goes by sees the standings change. This time, Stanford’s loss has Utah tied with the Cardinal for first in the Pac-12. Both teams are 10-2 on the year in the conference.
Here are the updated standings after the first week of February, and the Trojans are still on track to make the NCAA Tournament.
STANFORD CARDINAL (10-2)
Jan 20, 2023; Stanford, California, USA; Stanford Cardinal head coach Tara VanDerveer talks to media members after the game against the Utah Utes at Maples Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Stanford lost to Washington on Sunday and is now 10-2. The Cardinal face Utah in the final game of the regular season.
UTAH UTES (10-2)
Feb 17, 2022; Stanford, California, USA; Utah Utes head coach Lynne Roberts looks on during the third quarter against the Stanford Cardinal at Maples Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Yes, Utah is on top of the Pac-12. Technically, both the Utes and Stanford are 10-2 in conference play. Stanford won head-to-head, but the Utes get another shot at the Trees in Salt Lake City, in the game which could decide the conference champion this season.
COLORADO BUFFALOES (9-3)
Colorado basketball coach JR Payne during the NCAA college basketball game between the Tennessee Lady Vols and Colorado Buffaloes on Friday, November 25, 2022 in Knoxville Tenn.
Kns Lady Hoops Colorado
The Buffs have 18 wins on the year and dropped out of the top 25 a week ago, but back-to-back wins should have them back in, or close. They’re also just one game out of first place after sweeping the Oregon schools and getting a Stanford loss to Washington.
ARIZONA WILDCATS (8-4)
Oct 25, 2022; San Francisco, CA, USA; Arizona Wildcats coach Adia Barnes (left) and guard sHelena Pueyo (13) and Shaina Pellington (1) pose during Pac-12 Women’s Basketball Media Day at the Pac-12 Network Studios. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Arizona is still a top-25 team and one of many Pac-12 teams with NCAA Tournament hopes. The Wildcats beat USC in double OT on Sunday.
UCLA BRUINS (7-5)
Jan 8, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Cori Close reacts to a foul call in the first half against the USC Trojans at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
UCLA lost an 11-point lead with 4:49 left against Arizona on Friday.
USC TROJANS (7-5)
Jan 15, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans coach Lindsay Gottlieb celebrates at the end of the game against the Stanford Cardinal at Galen Center. USC defeated Stanford 55-46. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
That win over Stanford was the best of the year, and USC is tied with UCLA at 7-5 at the moment.
WASHINGTON STATE COUGARS (6-6)
Oct 25, 2022; San Francisco, CA, USA; Washington State Cougars coach Kamie Ethridge reacts during Pac-12 Women’s Basketball Media Day at the Pac-12 Network Studios. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The Cougars are 6-6 in the Pac-12, but they have a 16-7 overall record and are the best of the bottom half of the conference. They’re still in line to make the NCAA Tournament and give the Pac-12 eight teams in the field.
OREGON DUCKS (5-7)
Oct 25, 2022; San Francisco, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks guard Endyia Rogers poses during Pac-12 Women’s Basketball Media Day at the Pac-12 Network Studios. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The Ducks are 5-7 in the Pac-12 but have a 14-9 overall mark this year. They play USC next this Friday.
WASHINGTON HUSKIES (5-7)
Oct 25, 2022; San Francisco, CA, USA; Washington Huskies forward Lauren Schwartz (2) and Haley Van Dyke (11) during Pac-12 Women’s Basketball Media Day at the Pac-12 Network Studios. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Washington just stunned Stanford to shake up the Pac-12 race.
OREGON STATE BEAVERS (3-9)
Oregon State coach Scott Rueck, right, watches the game against Oregon at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene Dec 11, 2022.
Oregon State, much like Washington, is struggling in both men’s and women’s hoops. At least football was good for both schools. OSU came agonizingly close to upsetting Utah on Friday, but the Beavers lost in overtime.
CALIFORNIA GOLDEN BEARS (2-10)
Oct 25, 2022; San Francisco, CA, USA; California Golden Bears coach Charmin Smith (center) poses with guards Kemery Martin (15) and Jayda Curry (30) during Pac-12 Women’s Basketball Media Day at the Pac-12 Network Studios. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Cal is 11-12 on the year, but a 2-10 Pac-12 mark has been brutal, and it won’t get any easier in the next few weeks.
ARIZONA STATE SUN DEVILS (0-12)
Oct 25, 2022; San Francisco, CA, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils coach Natasha Adair (center) poses with guards Sydney Erikstrup (11) and Jaddan Simmons (2) during Pac-12 Women’s Basketball Media Day at the Pac-12 Network Studios. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Arizona State could go the entire year without a Pac-12 win. The Sun Devils face Cal this Friday in a battle for last place.
