NCAA Basketball: Kansas State, Providence on the rise on latest top 25 power ranking

7. UCLA (14-2)

It’s been business as usual for UCLA in recent weeks, now riding a winning streak that’s hit double-digits. The job Mick Cronin has done with the Bruins in his first four seasons has been impressive, and this year’s team looks like another that can make some noise in the postseason. They’ve bounced back from a few losses early in the year and have gotten themselves off to a hot start in the Pac-12.

Back on Sunday, the Bruins traveled to Seattle and beat Washington 74-49. Four starters were double-digit scorers, led by Adem Bona’s 18 points and a 15-point, 11-assist performance from point guard Tyger Campbell. The Bruins were back in action later in the week, narrowly escaping USC with a 60-58 victory at home. Jaylen Clark led with 15 points, Bona had 8 points and 10 rebounds and the Bruins escaped despite scoring just 16 points after halftime.

The Bruins sit a perfect 5-0 in Pac-12 play, with their defense really coming through this past week. The play of Campbell and Jaime Jaquez Jr. has been impressive; we expected this as much before the season began. In a Pac-12 that looks pretty dire near the bottom, UCLA is part of a very impressive top tier that should continue winning games in the coming weeks. They’ll stay home next week with contests against Utah and Colorado, two games in which they’ll be heavy favorites to get to seven early conference wins.