Sports360AZ
The Best of the West offers fans a candid assessment of the top teams in the western third of the country — a collection that includes the Mountain West and the former Pac-12 schools now scattered across the ACC, Big 12, Big Ten and West Coast Conference.
The rankings will be published weekly on the Hotline throughout the regular season.
By Jeff Metcalfe
1. USC (3-0)
Results: beat Mississippi 68-66, Cal Poly 90-35 and Cal State Northridge 124-39
Next up: vs. Santa Clara (Friday)
Comment: The third-ranked Trojans rallied from four points down late to edge Mississippi in Paris behind double-doubles from JuJu Watkins and Stanford transfer Kiki Iriafen. Six players reached double figures against Cal Poly and Cal State Northridge. In addition to Iriafen, USC added Oregon State transfer Talia von Oelhoffen and elite freshman Kennedy Smith going into its first Big Ten season.
2. UCLA (3-0)
Results: beat Louisville 66-59, Colgate 81-63 and Pepperdine 91-54
Next up: vs. Arkansas (Sunday)
Comment: Also in Paris on Nov. 4, the fourth-ranked Bruins were able to grind out a win over Louisville, then followed with more breathing room against Colgate as Lauren Betts scored a career-high 31.
3. Oregon (4-0)
Results: beat Cal Baptist 93-63, Nevada 76-58, Baylor 76-74 and North Texas 66-35
Next up: vs. Grand Canyon (Monday)
Comment: Upsetting No. 12 Baylor on Sunday vaulted the Ducks into the AP rankings (No. 25) while knocking the Bears down five places. The Ducks lost a 16-point lead in the fourth quarter before scoring the final four points. North Carolina transfer Deja Kelly is central to a quick turnaround from 11-21 last season.
4. Stanford (3-0)
Results: beat Le Moyne 107-43, Washington State 94-65 and Gonzaga 89-58
Next up: vs. UC Davis (Wednesday)
Comment: There’s no Tara VanDerveer, but the Cardinal is quickly back in the AP rankings (No. 24) after three dominating wins under new coach Kate Paye. Nunu Agara averaged 17.3 points to start her sophomore season and will have a much bigger role, along with Elena Bosgana, given the departures of Cameron Brink and Kiki Iriafen.
5. Utah (2-0)
Results: beat Southern Utah 105-52 and Weber State 86-46
Next up: at Northwestern (Thursday)
Comment: With Gianna Kneepkens back from the broken foot that kept her out most of last season, the Utes have returned to their high-scoring identity — at least against weaker opponents. Rhode Island transfer Maya Toure averaged 18 points and will help to fill the void left by Alissa Pili’s departure.
6. Arizona (4-0)
Results: beat UT Arlington 73-54, Tarleton State 62-39, UC San Diego 65-54 and UNLV 75-66
Next up: at Chicago State (Saturday)
Comment: The Wildcats led by as many 27 points in the third quarter at UC San Diego before things tightened up. Breya Cunningham, Skylar Jones and Jada Williams gained valuable experience as freshmen that will serve them well. Montaya Dew is back from knee surgery that kept her out last season.
7. California (3-0)
Results: beat Saint Mary’s 90-58, Idaho State 88-36 and San Jose State 82-53
Next up: at Gonzaga (Thursday)
Comment: Coming off a 19-15 season, Cal coach Charmin Smith earned a three-year contract extension through 2028-29. USC transfer Kayla Williams joins a veteran starting lineup with several freshmen expected to contribute.
8. Gonzaga (1-1)
Results: beat Montana 82-69, lost to Stanford 89-58
Next up: vs. Cal (Thursday)
Comment: The Zags certainly hoped for a better performance against Stanford, but perhaps that was never in the cards on a day when the Cardinal honored Tara VanDerveer by naming the Maples Pavilion court after her. For averaging 18 points on 60 percent shooting, Allie Turner was chosen WCC Freshman of the Week.
9. Washington (3-0)
Results: beat Seattle 95-53, Pacific 81-50 and Siena 94-51
Next up: vs. Eastern Washington (Thursday)
Comment: Returnees Elle Ladine, Hannah Stines, Dalayah Daniels and Savyia Sellers averaged double figures over the first three games, led by Ladine at 17 points per game. The key newcomer is 6-foot-3 Tayra Eke, a transfer from Eastern Michigan.
10. UNLV (2-1)
Results: beat Loyola Marymount 73-57, Northern Arizona 85-71, lost to Arizona 75-66
Next up: vs. Stonehill (Friday)
Comment: The victory over Big Sky favorite NAU was the 19th in a row for the Rebels at the Thomas & Mack Center. Six players scored in double figures after five did so in the season opener. Meadow Roland averaged a double-double and is Mountain West Freshman of the Week.
11. Brigham Young (2-0)
Results: beat Idaho 67-62 and Wyoming 76-63
Next up: vs. Colorado State (Wednesday)
Comment: The Cougars overcame a 13-point halftime deficit to beat Wyoming, thanks to a 31-6 edge in the third quarter. Delaney Gibb scored 22 points and was one of four Cougars in double figures. There was a revenge component because Wyoming won 86-74 last season in Laramie.
12. Boise State (2-0)
Results: beat Eastern Oregon 87-57 and Colorado 50-47
Next up: vs. UC Riverside (Thursday)
Comment: The Broncos’ win over Colorado was their first at home over a power conference opponent since December 2017 (Washington) and their first ever against a Big 12 foe. Offense was at a premium for both teams, and the Buffs went 0-of-17 from 3-point range while Boise was 6-of-26.
13. Colorado (3-1)
Results: beat Wyoming 56-50 and Northern Colorado 81-66, lost to Boise State 50-47, beat Nevada 75-59
Next up: vs. Southern (Sunday)
Comment: In addition to not making a 3-pointer against Boise State, the Buffaloes committed 24 turnovers that led to 19 points. Missouri State transfer Jade Masogayo was a bright spot in the first week, averaging 12.7 points.
14. Washington State (2-1)
Results: beat Eastern Washington 83-82 (OT), lost to Stanford 94-65, beat Idaho 71-60
Next up: at Texas Tech (Saturday)
Comment: While still in the Pac-12, Washington State and Oregon State are playing basketball in the West Coast Conference as affiliate members for this season and next. Both lost key players to the transfer portal, but Washington State held on to some talent, including Tara Wallack, Astera Tuhina, Jenna Villa and Eleonora Villa.
15. Grand Canyon (1-1)
Results: beat Cal State Bakersfield 93-52, lost to Middle Tennessee 57-47
Up next: vs. Arizona State (Thursday)
Comment: Middle Tennessee is coming off a 30-5 season and heavily favored to win Conference USA, so the Lopes playing a competitive game at MTSU is a positive. Trinity San Antonio, the WAC preseason Player of the Year, fouled out with seven minutes left after scoring just two points.
Also considered: Colorado State, San Diego State, Arizona State, Oregon State, Santa Clara.
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