Pac-12 Basketball, Week 2 Recap: Oregon Ducks Have Best Week in Years

UCLA 78 Colorado 75

The Bruins got a big win on the road in a tight one against Colorado behind a great second half by Travis Wear who finished with 24 points. The game was close throughout, but the Bruins controlled most of the way and held on late by knocking down their free throws down the stretch.

The win moves the Bruins to 4-0 in conference play and puts them at the top of the Pac-12 with Arizona dropping a game earlier in the week. It was a brutal loss for Colorado who is now 1-3 in-conference, despite playing well, and puts them in a hole as they hit the road to play the Washington schools next week.

Cal 67 Washington State 54

It was another ugly game for the Bears, but they were still able to pull out the win as they pulled away from the Cougars in the second half. It was a rough shooting day for the Cougars who especially struggled from behind the 3-point line and the free throw stripe and the Bears capitalized by getting to the line themselves and knocking down 28 free throws.

It was a must-win for the Bears after getting blasted by Washington on Wednesday and the win gives them a much needed split at home. The Cougars have gotten off to an alarming 0-3 start in the Pac-12 thus far and one has to think that Ken Bone is starting to feel his seat get warm.

USC 76 Utah 59

The Trojans got their first road win in 14 tries behind a big game from Dewayne Dedmon (13 points, 13 rebounds and 5 blocks) and hot shooting as they shot 50 percent from the field. The Trojans controlled the game throughout and never let them get closer than within 8 in the second half.

The Trojans got the split at Utah and Colorado and is looking much improved despite a terrible non-conference record. This was actually the first bad game the much-improved Utes have played all year, which is unfortunate as they saved it for the weakest team they have played in the conference yet.

Arizona 80 Oregon State 70

It was a much-needed bounce back win for the Wildcats after being upset by Oregon on Thursday. The Wildcats kept a comfortable lead for most of the second half behind hot shooting from Solomon Hill who knocked down five 3-pointers and big defense from freshman Grant Jerrett who blocked six shots.

The Wildcats desperately needed to beat a Pac-12 team convincingly and did just that while Craig Robinson and the Beavers should be feeling the heat after dropping their first three conference games all at home.

Washington 65 Stanford 60

The Huskies got a big win on the road behind 27 points from C.J. Wilcox and another solid game from big man Aziz N'Diaye. The game went back and forth early, but Wilcox nailed four 3-pointers and the Huskies held on down the stretch.

The win gave the Huskies a sweep of the Bay Area teams on the road and showed that they should once again be considered a serious contender to win the conference as they have started off 3-0. The Cardinal have looked good thus far this season, but still don't look like they are ready to contend for a conference title.

Oregon 68 Arizona State 65

The Ducks avoided a let-down game by sneaking by the red-hot Sun Devils in the final minutes behind 14 points from Tony Woods and a go-ahead dunk by Woods with less than two minutes to go. The two teams came into the game undefeated in Pac-12 play and fought it out with both desperately wanting to hang on to their perfect record.

The Ducks showed that they are focused and ready to compete at the top of the conference with the win over the streaking Sun Devils. A win in Eugene would have been massive for the rebirth of the Sun Devils, but there's no shame in losing to one of the best teams in the conference on the road.

Player of the Week

C.J. Wilcox G Washington

Wilcox was the main reason that the Huskies got a sweep at the Bay Area schools as he dropped 19 on Cal and then a huge 27 on Stanford. More than just a great shooter, Wilcox has expanded his game with a deadly mid-range shot that makes him almost impossible to defend now along with becoming a good rebounder as he grabbed 17 over the course of the weekend.

Freshman Player of the Week

Jahii Carson G Arizona State

Carson continues to show why he was so missed by the Sun Devils last year as he scored 20 points against Oregon and Oregon State while also running the point. Carson is already the best player on the Sun Devils and they have a bright future with him in the backcourt.

Who's Hot?

Oregon

It looks like Oregon is no longer just a football school as the Ducks scored their biggest win in years against Arizona on Thursday. The Ducks also followed it up with a good win over Arizona State to stay undefeated in Pac-12 play.

Who's Not?

Oregon State

It looked like the Beavers might be able to jump start their Pac-12 season by getting their first three at home, but did just the opposite by dropping all three in unimpressive fashion. They are in a really bad spot now as they head for a road swing at the LA schools next week.

Power Rankings

1. Oregon - The biggest week for Ducks basketball in a long time. The Ducks look to be a serious contender for the Pac-12 Championship.

2. UCLA - The Bruins showed that they could win on the road too with a solid sweep of Utah and Colorado.

3. Washington - Once again, the Huskies look like they are turning it on once they hit conference play.

4. Arizona - The Wildcats still aren't playing that well, but responded to their upset loss to Oregon with a good win at Oregon State.

5. Arizona State - The Sun Devils were very close to getting a massive win at Oregon at staying undefeated.

6. Cal - The Bears held steady by beating WSU, but will need to play better on offense if they want to contend for the top half of the conference.

7. USC - They still have a long ways to go, but the Trojans are really improving.

8. Colorado - The Buffs are too good to be 1-3 in conference right now. They will have very little margin for error moving forward.

9. Stanford - The Cardinal seem to still be treading water, hovering just above the bottom of the conference again.

10. Washington State - The Cougars have some good talent, but it is painfully thin.

11. Utah - The Utes are still winless in conference, but they have been very competitive.

12. Oregon State - The Beavers are not only winless in conference, but haven't been able to keep it close in a game yet.