Busting Brackets
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Pac-12 Basketball: 2019-20 power rankings Feast Week edition

By Connor Hope

PORTLAND, OREGON - NOVEMBER 12: Payton Pritchard #3 of the Oregon Ducks and Shakur Juiston #10 of the Oregon Ducks speakduring the second half of the game against the Memphis Tigers at Moda Center on November 12, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. Oregon won the game 82-74. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - NOVEMBER 12: Payton Pritchard #3 of the Oregon Ducks and Shakur Juiston #10 of the Oregon Ducks speakduring the second half of the game against the Memphis Tigers at Moda Center on November 12, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. Oregon won the game 82-74. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 22: Matt Bradley #20 of the California Golden Bears drives past Matt Coleman III #2 of the Texas Longhorns during the second half of their game at Madison Square Garden on November 22, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 22: Matt Bradley #20 of the California Golden Bears drives past Matt Coleman III #2 of the Texas Longhorns during the second half of their game at Madison Square Garden on November 22, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /

12) Washington State Cougars

Preseason Ranking: 11

Record: 2-2

Notable Result: 85-77 Home Loss vs Omaha

The Washington State basketball program appears to be moving in the right direction under Kyle Smith, but it will likely not show any tangible results until at least next season. For now, Smith is coaching a team of Ernie Kent recruits and JUCO transfers, and it isn’t proving successful.

After an impressive blowout over Seattle U, the Cougars have struggled against three teams that you would expect most high-major programs to handle easily. The lone bright spot so far this season has been the play of sophomore wing CJ Elleby, who is averaging 21.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 2.5 steals. With Cal playing better than expected through their first three weeks, the Cougars look like the clear bottom team in the conference.

11) California Golden Bears

Preseason Ranking: 12

Record: 4-2

Notable Results: 87-71 Home Win vs Pepperdine

The main difference between Cal and Washington State in this young season has been the ability to win games consistently against mediocre to slightly above average teams. Outside of an overtime battle against UNLV, the Golden Bears have handled their other three “winnable” matchups with relative ease. Going up against Top 25 opponents, on the other hand, has been a disastrous affair, but that was to be expected.

The emergence of Matt Bradley as a legitimate lead scorer for Cal has been truly remarkable and crucial to the team’s early success. Paris Austin’s exclusion from the starting lineup has been a bit of a head-scratcher, but Mark Fox has his reasons for his rotations, which have worked so far this year.

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