Pac-12 Hotline men's basketball week in review: UCLA remains the team to beat, Arizona stumbles at Stanford, Utah gains ground and more.
Theme of the week I: The plot thinsUCLA’s sweep on the Oregon Trail, combined with Arizona’s stumble at Stanford, gave the Bruins a two-game lead in the loss column with three weeks remaining. Considering the Bruins play four of their final six games at home and the Wildcats must visit Los Angeles, it appears the program with 11 NCAA titles will win its first Pac-12 regular-season championship in a decade.
Team of the week: UCLAThe Bruins handled their business at Oregon State, then produced one of the most impressive second halves of the season in their victory at Oregon, building an 18-point lead with five minutes remaining. In both games, the perimeter defense was stout, the offensive execution impressive and the sense of inevitability unmistakable.
Win of the season: Oregon StateThe Beavers’ 61-58 upset of USC stands as their most significant victory of the season — and it’s not even close. Their non-conference results were nondescript, and their previous Pac-12 victories were against teams with a combined conference record of 13-31. Singular performance of the week: Stanford F Spencer JonesWe considered Jones for Player of the Week but opted instead to focus on one aspect of his weekend: The fourth-year junior scored all 18 of his points against Arizona in the second half to power Stanford’s upset. During one crucial stretch, he scored 13 in a row for the Cardinal.
Reminder of the week: The ACCWe suggest Pac-12 fans pause their angst over officiating and make note of the following: The ACC announced Saturday night that officials in the Duke-Virginia game made an “incorrect adjudication” in the final second of a tie game. The gaffe, which led to Virginia winning in overtime, stands as a major embarrassment for the conference. Then again, most fans are probably elated, given that it led to Duke losing.
Stat of the season II: UtahThe Utes dispatched Colorado with ease to record their 10th conference win of the season, the first time they have reached double-digit victories in league play since the 2018-19 season. With a trip to Arizona upcoming, then a visit from the Los Angeles schools, the 11th win could be weeks away — if it comes at all.
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