Four wins vs. ranked foes mark biggest weekend in decades

After a desultory opening month, the Pac-12 produced its best weekend of the season.

Check that: Its best weekend in years.

Actually, its best weekend in decades.

The conference recorded three non-conference victories over ranked opponents on Saturday as Washington stunned No. 7 Gonzaga, Utah toppled No. 14 Brigham Young and Arizona blasted No. 23 Wisconsin.

The last time the Pac-12 toppled three ranked foes on a single day? Way back on March 15, 1997, in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Colorado added a fourth upset to the weekend ledger on Sunday with a blowout of No. 15 Miami.

According to the conference office, that same 1997 NCAA Tournament marks the only other time since 1981 that the Pac-12 has defeated four ranked opponents in a two-day span.

By any measure, it was a stellar weekend for the conference. The success will help offset a series of suboptimal results in November.

But there are 10 crucial days remaining in non-conference play, and progress can be fleeting.

To the power ratings …

(NET rankings through Monday)

1. Arizona (8-0)

Last week: 1
Results: beat Wisconsin 98-73
Next up: vs. Purdue (Saturday)
NET ranking: No. 1
Comment: The showdown against third-ranked Purdue — one of the most-anticipated non-conference matchups of the season, anywhere — will air on Peacock, the NBC streaming service that owns a package of Big Ten basketball games under the conference’s new media contract. UCLA, USC, Oregon and Washington fans should take notice.

2. Colorado (7-2)

Last week: 3
Results: beat Miami 90-63
Next up: vs. Northern Colorado (Friday)
NET ranking: No. 37
Comment: The blowout of No. 15 Miami (in New York) was all the more impressive considering the Buffaloes led by just one point at halftime.

3. Utah (7-2)

Last week: 7
Results: beat Southern Utah 88-86 and Brigham Young 73-69
Next up: vs. Utah Valley (Saturday)
NET ranking: No. 32
Comment: The Utes had one last chance to record a quality non-conference win. Thanks to Gabe Madsen’s five 3-pointers, they took advantage. Now, it’s about avoiding bad losses.

4. UCLA (5-3)

Last week: 2
Results: lost to Villanova 65-56
Next up: vs. Ohio State (Saturday)
NET ranking: No. 120
Comment: Don’t place too much emphasis on the NET rankings at this point. But if UCLA’s position doesn’t improve substantially by the middle of January, it will be time for the Bruins to worry.

5. Oregon (6-2)

Last week: 5
Results: beat UTEP 71-49
Next up: vs. Cal Baptist (Tuesday)
NET ranking: No. 63
Comment: A duel with Syracuse (7-3) looms this weekend in South Dakota. In our view, it’s mighty close to a must-win for the Ducks.

6. Washington (6-3)

Last week: 8
Results: beat Montana State 85-61 and Gonzaga 78-73
Next up: vs. Seattle (Sunday)
NET ranking: No. 55
Comment: Basketball school.

7. USC (5-4)

Last week: 4
Results: lost to Long Beach State 84-79
Next up: vs. Auburn (Sunday)
NET ranking: No. 91
Comment: With losses to Long Beach State and UC Irvine, the Trojans currently stand as the most disappointing team in the conference — and, it seems, as the most distracted.