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NCAA Basketball: Purdue, Virginia falls, Marquette and Gonzaga rise in top 25 power rankings

By Tristan Freeman

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 11: Tyler Kolek #11 of the Marquette Golden Eagles looks on against the Connecticut Huskies during the first half at Fiserv Forum on January 11, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 11: Tyler Kolek #11 of the Marquette Golden Eagles looks on against the Connecticut Huskies during the first half at Fiserv Forum on January 11, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /
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NCAA Basketball Tyger Campbell #10 of the UCLA Bruins (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images) /

4. UCLA Bruins- 24-4 (15-2 Pac-12)

The Bruins came into last week with a six-game win streak, taking care of the bottom of the Pac-12. Things get tougher not necessarily with the opposing talent but rather with the environment. The annual road trip teams in the league face at Colorado and Utah is notoriously difficult, due to the high altitudes and close travel within 48 hours.

UCLA took on Utah, who has had a solid second season under head coach Craig Smith. They already have double-digit Pac-12 wins for the first time since 2019 and have a chance to at least make the NIT, assuming that they don’t win the conference tournament.

After losing by 20 points in the first go-around, the Utes put up a much better effort at home, staying within range for almost all 40 minutes. However, the Bruins were just too good down the stretch, holding on for the 78-71 win. Jaime Jaquez led all scorers with 23 points and eight rebounds, while Tyger Campbell had 18 points and five assists.

UCLA now has the chance to win the Pac-12 regular-season title, with a road game Sunday at Colorado. It’s not easy to get both wins on this road trip but the Bruins are halfway there.

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