By Dane Miller, SuperWest Sports
The top two teams in the West hit a speed bump last week.
UCLA lost at home to a team near the bottom of the Big Ten standings and Arizona suffered its third close loss in its last four Big 12 games.
By contrast, BYU beat a pair of ranked teams in a matter of days and Saint Mary’s added to its impressive record with a win over a perennial power in the WCC.
Here’s how I see the Top 10 squads from the West stacking up heading into Week 17.
1. UCLA (11-6, 20-8)
Mick Cronin’s team lost to Minnesota in Pauley Pavilion for one of the more shocking results of the season.
But the Bruins responded with a win over Ohio State a few days later. UCLA’s seven Quad 1 victories are tied with Michigan State for the second-most in the Big Ten.
The Bruins are currently sixth in the Conference standings with a strong resume with wins over Arizona, Gonzaga, Oregon (twice), Wisconsin, and Michigan State.
2. Arizona (12-4, 18-9)
The Wildcats have lost three of their last four games by a combined eight points. But the losses are starting to pile up at the wrong time of the year.
Losing to BYU in Tucson changes the postseason outlook. Arizona remains inconsistent and could get bounced in the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament.
Still, the eight Quad 1 wins are tied with Houston for the most in the Big 12.
3. BYU (10-6, 19-8)
BYU has arrived. The Cougars beat Kansas and Arizona in the span of a few days, cementing themselves in the landscape of college basketball.
Now, a Sweet 16 is arguably a legitimate expectation for this season.
The team may be too reliant on the three. But if they are hitting from beyond the arc, the Cougars are hard to beat.
Still, perceptions can change in an instant and a loss at Arizona State on Wednesday could be questionable.
4. Saint Mary’s (15-1, 25-4)
Beating Gonzaga on its home floor was a statement to the rest of the country.
At 25-4 overall and the regular season champion of the WCC, it’s time to start looking at the Gaels in a different light.
The nonconference losses to Arizona State, Boise State, and Utah State are still worrying, though.
Can Saint Mary’s win more than one game in the NCAA Tournament? We will find out soon enough.
5. New Mexico (14-2, 22-5)
The loss to Boise State on the road was not that damaging. The Lobos are arguably a lock for the NCAA Tournament. The only question is seeding.
But can New Mexico win a game in the Big Dance? Rick Pitino’s team is 3-2 in Quad 1 games and has only lost twice since early December.
Yet, UNM has two Quad 3 losses on its resume.
This Tuesday’s matchup at San Diego State is a massive opportunity to for a statement win.
6. Oregon (9-8, 20-8)
Beating Wisconsin on the road regenerates expectations in Eugene.
The Ducks have now won four straight games and face USC, Indiana, and Washington to finish the regular season.
Oregon should win out and enter the Big Ten Tournament on a seven-game winning streak.
Credit Dana Altman and his players for shaking off the five-game losing streak and saving their season.
7. Gonzaga (12-4, 21-8)
For the first time in a decade, there are little to no expectations that Gonzaga will make a run in the NCAA Tournament.
The Zags lost to Saint Mary’s again, this time in Spokane. The four losses in the WCC are the most Conference defeats the program has had in a single season since 1998.
That was also the last time GU missed the NCAA Tournament.
And while there’s no chance Gonzaga misses the Big Dance, the nine-year streak of making the Sweet 16 is at risk.
8. Utah State (14-3, 24-4)
Forget about the rankings and the seedings. Utah State faces a critical test this week when it goes on the road to Boise State and Colorado State.
If USU sweeps that road trip, the perception of the team will rise sharply.
But from the big picture, Utah State is a borderline lock for the NCAA Tournament. Currently at No. 33 in the NET, a five-seed isn’t out of the question if the Aggies win out.
9. San Diego State (11-5, 18-7)
The Aztecs would probably be in the Play-In Game if the Selection Show were held today. Other than the defeat to UNLV, there isn’t a bad loss on their resume.
But the Mountain West is perceived to be in a down year and SDSU is not even a Top Two team in the league.
When it comes down to it, the nonconference wins over Houston and Creighton are the only reason why San Diego State is on the right side of the Bubble.
10. UC San Diego (14-2, 24-4)
There’s no more debating it. UC San Diego is officially an at-large contender and on the Bubble.
If the Tritons win out and lose to UC Irvine in the Big West Championship Game, there’s a possibility that they would still make the Tournament.
Sitting at No. 37 in the NET and 2-1 in Quad 1 games, the dream of a two-bid Big West is alive. The chances are slim, but it would be one of the best stories in College Basketball if it happens.
Miller covers College Basketball and College Football as well as Formula 1 racing as a Senior Writer and Assistant Editor for SuperWest Sports.
