Dane Miller’s Week 18 Finest-in-West Hoops Energy Rankings

1. Arizona (29-2, 16-2)

The Wildcats have the 1-seed within the West locked up after beating Iowa State and Colorado final week.

Tommy Lloyd’s workforce set this system file for many wins in a daily season, ending the yr with 29 victories.

However this workforce will at all times be outlined by what occurs within the NCAA Match. Something in need of a Remaining 4 run can be a disappointment.

2. Gonzaga (28-3, 16-2)

Mark Few’s workforce had a full week off. The Zags haven’t performed since February 28 in a loss to Saint Mary’s on the highway.

Because the 1-seed within the WCC Match, Gonzaga faces Oregon State within the Semifinals.

Anticipated to be someplace round a 4-seed within the NCAA Match, one other Candy 16 run may very well be within the playing cards. However a loss within the Second Spherical wouldn’t be a shock.

3. BYU (21-10, 9-9)

After getting blown out by Cincinnati earlier within the week, BYU took down Texas Tech in Provo. The win may change the outlook for the NCAA Match.

However the Huge 12 Match is looming, and an early exit can be damaging. Kevin Younger’s workforce enters Kansas Metropolis as a lowly 10-seed, going through Kansas State on Tuesday.

If the Convention event goes effectively, BYU would possibly find yourself as excessive as a 6-seed within the Huge Dance.

4. UCLA (21-10, 13-7)

Don’t look now as a result of UCLA is taking part in a few of its finest basketball of the season. Donovan Dent has been on a tear whereas the Bruins have received 4 of their final 5.

With current victories over Illinois and Nebraska, UCLA has moved from a Bubble workforce to a lock for the NCAA Match.

The questions now change into about seeding and area.

5. Saint Mary’s (27-4, 16-2)

As the 2-seed within the WCC Match, Saint Mary’s will get a full week off earlier than returning to motion.

The Gaels have already locked up their bid to the Huge Dance and face Santa Clara within the Semifinals on Monday evening.

Persistently capable of advance out of the Spherical of 64, don’t overlook Randy Bennett’s workforce. Maybe that is lastly the yr they break by means of to the Candy 16.

6. Utah State (25-6, 15-5)

The Aggies received the Mountain West Common Season Championship of their last yr within the league.

It’s a historic milestone for the one MWC workforce thought-about a lock for the NCAA Match. However how deep Utah State goes is an open query.

The blowout loss to UNLV final week put a damper on expectations. At this level, a loss within the First Spherical wouldn’t be surprising.

7. Santa Clara (24-7, 15-3)

Santa Clara took benefit of the chaos final week. A number of Bubble groups misplaced, which made the Broncos’ path to the NCAA Match extra possible.

After dealing with Pacific within the Quarterfinals of the WCC Match, Herb Sendek’s workforce faces Saint Mary’s within the Semifinals.

A win would lock Santa Clara into the Match whereas a loss would make Choice Sunday a nail-biter.

8. New Mexico (22-9, 13-7)

The Lobos performed their method out of the NCAA Match final week. With losses to Colorado State and Utah State, Eric Olen’s workforce is now on the skin wanting in.

Coming into the Mountain West Convention Match because the 3-seed, UNM would possibly must make the Championship Recreation to maintain their hopes alive.

New Mexico is on the mercy of different Bubble groups across the nation and will miss out because of a bid-stealer in one other league.

9. San Diego State (20-10, 14-6)

SDSU is in a nasty spot. The defeat to Boise State final week arguably destroyed any remaining probability the Aztecs had at an at-large bid.

Now, the one path is perhaps to win the Mountain West Match. Circumstances can change and evolve rapidly.

However San Diego State has underperformed all season, and the MWC is a possible one-bid league. That’s not a very good situation with one week to go till Choice Sunday.

10. California (21-10, 9-9)

To make the Huge Dance, the Bears should make a run within the ACC Match. The losses to Pittsburgh and Wake Forest on the finish of the yr had been damaging.

Because the 9-seed, California faces Florida State with an opportunity to play Duke in the event that they deal with the Seminoles. There’s at all times an opportunity.

However Cal’s NCAA Match hopes are on life-support and an at-large bid seems unlikely.

Simply Missed: Stanford