The Better of the West gives followers a candid evaluation of the highest groups within the western third of the nation — a set that features the Mountain West and the previous Pac-12 faculties now scattered throughout the ACC, Massive 12, Massive Ten and West Coast Convention.
The rankings will likely be printed on the Hotline weekly all through the common season.
Outcomes by Tuesday
1. UCLA (5-0)
Final week: 2
Outcomes: beat South Carolina 77-62
Up subsequent: vs. Tennessee-Martin (Friday)
Remark: By decisively ending defending nationwide champion South Carolina’s 43-game profitable streak, the Bruins are No. 1 within the AP High 25 for the primary time. 5 gamers scored in double figures, and Lauren Betts had one other double-double in UCLA’s first win over a No. 1-ranked opponent. The Bruins led by 21 at halftime. Kiki Rice made her first begin of the season.
2. USC (4-1)
Final week: 1
Outcomes: misplaced to Notre Dame 74-61
Up subsequent: vs. Seton Corridor (Wednesday)
Remark: Taking part in with out freshman Kennedy Smith, the Trojans fell behind early towards Notre Dame, rallied to inside three within the third quarter however trailed by as many as 21 late. The web impression was a three-place drop, to No. 6, within the AP rankings whereas the Irish jumped three to No. 3. JuJu Watkins scored 24 level, then Monday signed a high-profile NIL cope with State Farm.
3. Stanford (6-1)
Final week: 6
Outcomes: beat Morgan State 91-49 and Cal Poly 81-45
Up subsequent: UC San Diego (Friday)
Remark: The Cardinal had a pair of breathers after its loss to Indiana and may deal with winless San Diego earlier than enjoying at No. 7 LSU subsequent week. Santa Clara switch Tess Heal began in each video games rather than Talana Lepolo (knee), whereas freshman Kennedy Umeh had a double-double in 11 minutes off the bench towards Morgan State.
4. Oregon (6-2)
Final week: 3
Outcomes: beat Auburn 70-68, misplaced to Georgia Tech 74-58 and South Dakota State 75-70
Up subsequent: Washington State (Dec. 4)
Remark: The Geese moved up two locations, to No. 21, within the AP rankings then misplaced twice in Hawaii. Undefeated Georgia Tech broke open an in depth recreation with a 28-15 benefit within the fourth quarter with solely Deja Kelly reaching double figures (10 factors) for Oregon. The Geese have been tied with 2:45 left towards South Dakota State earlier than a late fade.
5. California (6-1)
Final week: 4
Outcomes: beat Grambling State 86-63 and Auburn 63-59, to misplaced Michigan State 78-72
Up subsequent: vs. Arizona (Wednesday)
Remark: Lulu Twidale hit a pair of 3-pointers to carry the Bears previous Auburn for a second straight season. Then on Tuesday, Cal led by 12 factors getting into the fourth quarter, solely to be outscored 30-12 by unbeaten Michigan State. Twidale scored 20 within the loss, sending the Bears right into a event comfort recreation towards Arizona.
6. Gonzaga (4-2)
Final week: 11
Outcomes: beat Rice 72-69 and New Mexico 81-68
Up subsequent: vs. Missouri State (Thursday)
Remark: Yvonne Ejim averaged 24 factors, 14 rebounds and 5 assists in two wins to earn WCC Participant of the Week honors. The Zags’ Allie Turner grabbed one other WCC award as Freshman of the Week — for the second time this season. Gonzaga additionally performs Texas Tech and Florida State within the Virgin Islands.
7. Utah (5-1)
Final week: 8
Outcomes: beat Saint Joseph’s 72-71 (OT) and Montana State 72-53
Up subsequent: vs. Mississippi State (Thursday)
Remark: New Utes coach Gavin Petersen was instantly thrown into the hearth towards Saint Joseph’s, a recreation that got here right down to Maya Toure scoring with 5 seconds left in additional time. Petersen was promoted to exchange Lynne Roberts after she was named WNBA Los Angeles Spark head coach on Nov. 19.
8. Arizona (6-2)
Final week: 5
Outcomes: misplaced to NAU 92-75, beat Grambling State 84-60, misplaced to Vanderbilt 71-60
Up subsequent: vs. Cal (Wednesday)
Remark: The Wildcats took successful in Flagstaff, dropping with out guard Jada Williams and with their submit gamers in foul bother. Williams returned with 13 factors towards Grambling State. On Tuesday, towards undefeated Vanderbilt, the Wildcats trailed by 13 at halftime and will solely make up two factors within the second half.
9. Colorado (5-1)
Final week: 10
Outcomes: didn’t play
Up subsequent: at Utah Tech (Wednesday)
Remark: The Buffaloes had a full week off to organize for Utah Tech and No. 24 Louisville at house (Saturday). Frida Formann is again from a foot damage, giving Colorado wanted offense to go along with transfers Lior Garzon and Jade Masogayo.
10. UNLV (4-2)
Final week: 7
Outcomes: misplaced to Oklahoma 88-58
Up subsequent: UCF (Wednesday)
Remark: The Rebels trailed by one level at halftime towards No. 8 Oklahoma earlier than being overpowered 28-4 within the third quarter. Kiara Jackson had a 20-point, 10-rebound double-double. UNLV is house towards one other undefeated workforce in UCF, then performs East Carolina on Friday.
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11. Northern Arizona (4-1)
Final week: Not ranked
Outcomes: beat Arizona 92-75 and Colorado State 84-80
Up subsequent: vs. James Madison (Thursday)
Remark: Massive Sky favourite NAU opened eyes with its first victory over Arizona since 2017-18 and its eighth all-time (in 38 conferences). Nyah Moran scored 22 factors (all however two coming within the second half), then Taylor Feldman led the way in which with 22 factors and 12 rebounds in a street win over Colorado State. The Lumberjacks are 5-1 for the primary time since 2005-06.
12. Washington (6-2)
Final week: 12
Outcomes: beat Cal State Fullerton 62-58 and Prairie View A&M 65-50, misplaced to LSU 68-67
Up subsequent: vs. Southern (Wednesday)
Remark: Arizona switch Kailyn Gilbert scored with one second left Monday as No. 7 LSU averted an upset loss to the Huskies within the Bahamas. LSU trailed by 10 at halftime and all through the second half till Gilbert’s layup after a turnover. Sayvia Sellers scored 24 for UW.
13. Grand Canyon (2-2)
Final week: 13
Outcomes: misplaced to Oregon 70-54
Up subsequent: Liberty (Wednesday)
Remark: Idle since Nov. 18, the Lopes play three house video games in 4 days beginning Wednesday, seeking to construct momentum going right into a date with Arizona on Dec. 5. GCU misplaced at Liberty final season, so the primary of this week’s trio of video games is not any gimme.
14. Arizona State (3-3)
Final week: 14
Outcomes: misplaced to Kentucky 77-61
Up subsequent: vs. South Dakota (Wednesday)
Remark: ASU outscored No. 14 Kentucky by a mixed two factors within the first, third and fourth quarters Tuesday however was blasted 27-9 within the second. Main scorer Tyi Skinner was simply 3-of-19 from the sphere whereas Clara Strack and Georgia Amoore mixed for 42 factors for unbeaten Kentucky.
15. Brigham Younger (5-1)
Final week: 9
Outcomes: misplaced to Northern Colorado 67-60 (OT)
Up subsequent: vs. Rice (Thursday)
Remark: The Cougars took successful by dropping at house to Northern Colorado, dropping six locations within the Hotline rankings. BYU shot 35.5 p.c general and 12.5 p.c from 3-point vary towards the Bears whereas committing 18 turnovers and 26 fouls — a recipe for a loss even after getting the sport to additional time.
Additionally thought-about: Portland, San Diego State and UC Irvine
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