Women's basketball Pac-12 power rankings (Mar. 7)

1. No. 4 Stanford     
(28-2, 17-1 Pac-12)
The Cardinal are clearly the best team in the league. Even though Cal has the same number of losses, Stanford has been more impressive, winning by an average of nearly 20 points per game. Stanford has not only been winning games, but doing it in a dominating fashion that leaves no doubt of its No. 4 national ranking.

2. No. 5 Cal (27-2, 16-1 Pac-12)
The Golden Bears earn the second spot because of a 28-point victory over Washington last Sunday, and because of a 15-game winning streak entering the Pac-12 Tournament. Tenacious rebounding is Cal’s biggest advantage over the rest of the Pac-12 and will be a key factor in the tournament.

3. No. 18 Colorado     
(24-5, 13-5 Pac-12)
Colorado pulled itself together and showed why the Buffaloes are ranked No. 18 in the nation last weekend in an overtime win against Oregon State. Colorado fought back after trailing by 18 at one point to earn the 66-63 victory.

4. No. 14 UCLA     
(23-6, 14-4 Pac-12)
The Bruins’ only losses in Pac-12 play came to Cal and Stanford — UCLA lost to both schools twice. The Bruins have been consistent throughout the season, beating teams by an average of six points. UCLA heads into the weekend on a four-game winning streak, which makes them a team to watch out for in the Pac-12 Tournament.

5. USC (10-19, 7-11 Pac-12)
Sweeping the Arizona schools this past weekend was a big boost for a USC team previously experiencing an eight-game losing streak. The Trojans looked like they did at the beginning of the season, when they were winning games.

6. Utah (17-12, 8-10 Pac-12)
The Utes’ come in at sixth, which is higher than where Utah stacks up, talent-wise. The Utes have three players that contribute more than 70 percent of the total offense, telling me they lack depth — something the Utes will need if they want to make it far in the tournament.

7. Washington State         (10-19, 6-12 Pac-12)
The Cougars were mediocre in Pac-12 play this season. WSU is currently on a five-game losing streak that started with a loss to Oregon — the worst team in the conference. Washington State tapered off toward the end of the season, which isn’t a good sign.

8. Washington     
(19-10, 11-7 Pac-12)
The Huskies lost by more than 25 points in both of their games this past weekend to Cal and Stanford. Washington is on a downward slide with a current four-game losing streak. Not the best way to head into the Pac-12 Tournament.

T9. Arizona State     
(13-17, 4-13 Pac-12)
Arizona State and Oregon State are tied at ninth place. The Sun Devils put up a good showing against Arizona by sweeping both games in exciting fashion. ASU could be on the upswing heading into the tournament.

T9. Oregon State     
(10-20, 4-14 Pac-12)
OSU has struggled to get wins in Pac-12 play, but in the last few games the Beavers have looked like a new team, after hanging tough with Cal and Colorado.

11. Arizona     
(12-17, 4-13 Pac-12)
Arizona is at the bottom of the Pac-12 due to its defense. The Wildcats are last in the Pac-12 in field goal percentage defense. The best thing Arizona has going at this point in the season is its ability to make free throws. The best strategy for the Wildcats to advance past the first round will be to get to the free throw line.

12. Oregon (4-26, 2-16 Pac-12)
The Ducks are at the bottom of the Pac-12, as they have been all season. It is true that Oregon’s season has been riddled with injuries, but that is no excuse for going 2-16 in conference play.

Sarah Kerrigan, sports reporter
On Twitter @skerrigan123
sports@dailybarometer.com