NCAA Basketball: North Carolina, Kentucky, Auburn rise in latest top 25 power rankings

7. Arizona (24-7)

There has been some fantastic play from Arizona this season, as the Wildcats established themselves as the best team in the final season of the Pac-12. There have also been numerous head scratching displays, with the Wildcats losing several games to weaker foes in this league. Frankly it was a little of both in the final week of the regular season.

In a game that looked much tougher before the season, Arizona made quick work of UCLA on the road, winning 88-65 over the Bruins. KJ Lewis led the way with 18 points off the bench while Caleb Love added 17 himself. Saturday’s regular season finale was more of the opposite, as the Wildcats fell 78-65 against a USC team that has had a down year. Both Oumar Ballo and Keshad Johnson scored 17 points but not much else went right for the Wildcats.

Arizona was brilliant in wins over Duke, Wisconsin, Alabama, and against many of their league rivals, but those same Pac-12 foes gave them plenty of grief. Finishing 15-5 in conference play is great until you see losses to Oregon State and Stanford also in the mix. Arizona has played their best against the best teams, so perhaps they can avoid another early upset in the NCAA Tournament in a few weeks.