NCAAW Pac-12: Alissa Pili, No. 8 Utah Utes stay unbeaten

Convention play is heating up and we have had Oregon State upsetting UCLA, Stanford reigning supreme and Utah staying undefeated. Right here is the place each workforce within the Pac-12 stands firstly of 2023:

1) No. 2 Stanford Cardinal (15-1, 3-0)

Stanford is pretty much as good as marketed. They’ve gained ten in a row, are undefeated within the Pac-12 and all their key gamers are performing nicely. Their subsequent huge take a look at can be towards No. 12 UCLA subsequent week, however thus far Stanford has confirmed to be head and shoulders above the remainder.

2) No. 8 Utah Utes (14-0, 3-0)

If Stanford is pretty much as good as marketed, the Utah Utes are higher than marketed. They’re undefeated and Alissa Pili has been sensational, main the workforce in factors and rebounds. Gianna Kneepkens has hit her stride, averaging 14.1 factors an evening on 25.5 minutes, and with 4 gamers scoring double digits in factors, Utah is as sturdy as any workforce within the nation. They’re nonetheless flying below the radar, however that can undoubtedly change in the event that they win their mid-January matchups towards No. 15 Arizona and No. 2 Stanford.

3) No. 12 UCLA Bruins (13-2, 2-1)

Will the actual Bruins please arise? Are they the workforce beat No. 17 Oregon every week in the past and went toe-to-toe with South Carolina earlier this season, or are they the workforce that simply misplaced to Oregon State 77-72? We’ll know quickly sufficient with a rematch towards USC this week and a recreation towards Stanford subsequent week.

4) No. 15 Arizona Wildcats (12-2, 2-1)

Their latest loss to Stanford might need you down on the Wildcats, however they nonetheless have the trio of Shaina Pellington, Jade Loville and Cate Reese. I would not depend them out but and with video games towards No. 18 Oregon and No. 8 Utah developing, they’re going to have loads of possibilities to stand up the AP rankings.

5) No. 18 Oregon Geese (11-3, 2-1)

Oregon has been examined closely over the previous two weeks. They’ve performed three Prime 25 groups and beat a good USC workforce. Ranked at No. 18 appears applicable for the Geese and with only one powerful matchup developing towards No. 15 Arizona, they need to be capable to rack up some wins this month.

6) Colorado Buffaloes (12-3, 2-1)

Not a ranked workforce however the most effective of the remainder, the Colorado Buffaloes have began 2-1 within the convention, dropping to only Utah, however they did lose in blowout vogue. Quay Miller must proceed main the cost. She’s averaging 14.2 factors and seven.7 rebounds a recreation main the Buffaloes in each classes.

7) USC Trojans (11-3, 1-2)

Are the Ladies of Troy again? A valiant effort towards UCLA and a strong win towards Oregon State definitely present indicators of promise for USC. Nonetheless, they’re going to must win the rematch towards the Bruins this week in the event that they wish to show they’re legit contenders to complete Prime 5 within the convention.

8) California Golden Bears (10-4, 1-2)

Cal is struggling within the Pac-12. They’re 1-2 and three of their subsequent 4 video games are towards ranked opponents. The silver lining? Watching Jadya Curry rating as a lot as attainable. She leads the workforce in factors and stood out towards Stanford, scoring 20 within the loss. I am unsure what number of wins the Golden Bears could have this yr however watching Curry play certain is enjoyable.

9) Washington Huskies (9-4, 1-2)

These are powerful occasions for the Huskies. They’ve misplaced back-to-back video games and with the Pac-12 being as stacked as it’s, there will not be many winnable video games developing. One winnable recreation is their matchup towards Washington State on Sunday. If they can not win that recreation, January could get ugly quick.

10) Oregon State Beavers (9-5, 1-2)

The Beavers shocked the school basketball world by beating UCLA final weekend. Can they pull off one other upset towards Arizona on Friday? In the event that they do, Talia Von Oelhoffen can be a giant cause why. She’s averaging 16.6 factors per recreation and even when she’s having an off evening as she had towards the Bruins, she finds a method to be an element.

11) Washington State Cougars (10-4, 0-3)

Nonetheless winless within the convention, issues are trying tough for the Cougars. Charlisse Leger-Walker is having a stellar season, however she’ll want her fellow guards Tara Wallack and Johanna Teder to lighten the scoring load and heart Bella Murekatete to be dominant on the glass.

12) Arizona State Solar Devils (7-7, 0-3)

The Solar Devils have been on the backside of those rankings all season. Sadly not a lot hope for Arizona State this yr. Tyi Skinner has been a bucket however aside from that, it has been six losses in seven video games and every loss by double digits.

What’s arguably the most effective convention in America has loads of marquee matchups this week. Two video games I might make sure to not miss are UCLA vs. USC and Oregon vs. Arizona. These video games are certain to be aggressive and the winners will undoubtedly transfer up within the rankings. It could nonetheless be early within the Pac-12 season, however so much is already at stake.