Each week I preview the hoops slate and provide my power rankings for the week of the Pac-12 basketball season. Last week I went 9-3 as I thought Oregon would lose at home to Washington and boy did they not only win but blew out the Huskies from the north.

Onto this week’s picks.

Wednesday’s games

USC at UCLA

The Trojans just want this season and now that UCLA didn’t get a sweep at home against the Northern California schools they might want to have this train-wreck of a season end too.

UCLA 69 USC 58

Thursday’s games

Arizona at Washington State

The Cougars got a split and looked like they could have gotten a sweep last weekend until the Ducks kicked it up a notch. Arizona got a must sweep at home last week and now needs a sweep this week to keep pace with Washington and Cal and try and find themselves in first place of the Pac-12.

Arizona 77 WSU 73

Oregon State at Stanford

Is Stanford still in the NCAA Tournament race? ESPN’s Jay Bilas has them as a top-68 team so maybe they do have life. OSU is now fighting to stay in the picture of the NIT after getting swept at home last weekend by the Washington schools.

Stanford 73 OSU 69

Oregon at Cal

Oregon had the Bears on the ropes last time they met in Eugene this season but then Allen Crabbe and Richard Solomon came alive and ate the Ducks up on their way to a Bear win. But the Ducks are playing maybe their best ball all year now while Cal is without Solomon.

Oregon 72 Cal 71

Arizona State at Washington

The Huskies got a split down in Oregon last week but left the state of Oregon with a terrible taste in their mouths after getting beat bad by Oregon. ASU just trying to find something positive this season and a win would do it here.

Washington 82 ASU 65

Saturday’s games

UCLA at St. John’s

UCLA getting a marquee game on CBS on a national audience. Let’s hope they don’t embarrass the Pac-12.

St. John’s 73 UCLA 67

Arizona at Washington

I think despite the Wildcat’s struggles at home against Utah that they are playing the best ball in the Pac-12 as of late. I think they come in here and beat an up-and-down Washington team and get revenge from earlier in the year.

Arizona 81 Washington 78

Colorado at Utah

The Utes want to try and prevent their rivals from getting a season sweep while Colorado looking for a much needed road win.

Colorado 72 Utah 65

Arizona State at Washington State

The Cougars get a big home win against a struggling Arizona State team and keep their NIT bid hopes still alive. Brock Motum makes a push for player of the year award with a huge weekend.

WSU 76 ASU 68

Oregon State at Cal

Oregon State needs a win bad and same can be said for the Bears who I have losing to Oregon earlier in the week and hoping to keep pace with the other teams fighting for first place.

Cal 83 OSU 69

Sunday’s games

Oregon at Stanford

The Ducks playing their best ball all season long while Stanford is struggling for an impressive win down the stretch of the season. The Ducks grind it out and get a huge weekend sweep that might put them into the NCAA Tournament.

Oregon 72 Stanford 68

Power Rankings

1. Cal 20-6, 10-3
2. Arizona 18-8, 9-4
3. Colorado 17-8, 9-4
4. Oregon 18-7. 9-4
5. Washington 17-8, 10-3
6. Stanford 17-8, 7-6
7. UCLA 14-11, 7-6
8. Washington State 13-12, 5-8
9. Oregon State 15-10, 5-8
10. ASU 8-17, 4-9
11. Utah 5-20, 2-11
12. USC 6-20, 1-12