Pac-12 women’s basketball preseason power rankings: Who will win conference in final year?

Alec Dietz, Eugene Register-Guard
Utah's Alissa Pili, right, shoots over Oregon's Taylor Hosendove during the first half in Eugene Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023.
Utah's Alissa Pili, right, shoots over Oregon's Taylor Hosendove during the first half in Eugene Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023.

Maybe the cruelest result of the Pac-12’s demise is the loss of women’s basketball’s most competitive conference from top to bottom.

Last season the Pac-12 sent a record seven teams to the NCAA tournament, and in its swan song it could set more records come Selection Sunday.

Where do Pac-12 team’s stack up heading into another competitive season? I’m glad you asked.

1. Utah

Last year: 27-5 (15-3 Pac-12)

What to know: The Utes, led by two preseason all-conference players in Gianna Kneepkens and Alissa Pili and coming off a Sweet 16 loss to eventual national champion LSU last season, have the most veteran squad in the Pac-12 and are the heavy favorites to repeat as conference champions.

2. UCLA

Last year: 27-10 (11-7 Pac-12)

What to know: A heavy media favorite, the Bruins return All-American honorable mention guard Charisma Osborne to a roster that is talented but young heading into the 2023-24 campaign. Sophomore guard Kiki Rice is another player to watch for UCLA.

Oregon Ducks center Phillipina Kyei (15) shoots the ball against Stanford Cardinal forward Cameron Brink (22) during the first quarter at Maples Pavilion Jan. 29, 2023, in Stanford, California.
Oregon Ducks center Phillipina Kyei (15) shoots the ball against Stanford Cardinal forward Cameron Brink (22) during the first quarter at Maples Pavilion Jan. 29, 2023, in Stanford, California.

3. Stanford

Last year: 29-6 (15-3 Pac-12)

What to know: The Cardinal have the premier shot blocker in the nation in Cameron Brink, but an unproven backcourt, likely led by Hannah Jump, will have to step up for them this season.

4. Colorado

Last year: 25-9 (13-5 Pac-12)

What to know: The Buffaloes will have the earliest chance to soar up these power rankings. After the Buffs lost a narrow battle in the Sweet 16 last year to national runner-up Iowa, they’ll take on the team that beat the Hawkeyes in their 2023-24 opener against No. 1 LSU in Las Vegas.

5. Washington State

Last year: 23-11 (9-9 Pac-12)

What to know: The defending Pac-12 tournament champions will rely on guard senior preseason all-conference picks Charlisse Leger-Walker and center Bella Murekatete, as well as several other veteran pieces, hoping to climb the ladder in a stacked conference.

Oregon's Kennedy Basham passes the ball under pressure from USC's Clarice Akunwafo during the first half of their Pac-12 game at Matthew Knight Arena Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023 in Eugene, Oregon.
Oregon's Kennedy Basham passes the ball under pressure from USC's Clarice Akunwafo during the first half of their Pac-12 game at Matthew Knight Arena Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023 in Eugene, Oregon.

6. USC

Last year: 21-10 (11-7 Pac-12)

What to know: The only two Trojan women to ever be named Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the year? All-time women’s hoops legend Lisa Leslie, and incoming true freshman JuJu Watkins, who will be asked to do much for a young USC team this season. Also keep an eye on preseason all-conference forward Rayah Marshall.

7. Arizona

Last year: 22-10 (11-7 Pac-12)

What to know: Fifth-year senior Esmery Martinez had a standout first year in Tucson last year and will star at forward, but also watch out for freshmen duo Breya Cunningham and Jada Williams. If that pair can figure things out quickly, watch out for the Wildcats.

Oregon’s Grace VanSlooten celebrates a 3-point shot during the first half against Southern Oregon at Matthew Knight Arena Oct. 29, 2023 in Eugene, Oregon.
Oregon’s Grace VanSlooten celebrates a 3-point shot during the first half against Southern Oregon at Matthew Knight Arena Oct. 29, 2023 in Eugene, Oregon.

8. Oregon

Last year: 20-15 (7-11 Pac-12)

What to know: Kelly Graves’ squad doesn’t have the firepower it used to, but a new defensive-oriented Ducks team will look to take a couple teams by surprise, led by Grace VanSlooten down low and Chance Gray and Peyton Scott on the outside.

9. Washington

Last year: 19-15 (7-11 Pac-12)

What to know: The Huskies return just about every key contributor from a team that made a deep run in the WNIT last year, including leading-scorer Dalayah Daniels and sharpshooter Lauren Schwartz.

10. Oregon State

Last year: 13-18 (4-14 Pac-12)

What to know: The Beavers have two preseason all-conference picks in forward Raegan Beers and guard Talia von Oelhoffen but will need an inexperienced roster to step up if it wants to compete among the Pac-12’s elite.

11. Cal

Last year: 13-17 (4-14 Pac-12)

What to know: Charmin Smith’s Golden Bears will have their work cut out for them in a loaded conference. Kemery Martin is the only Bear returning that scored in double figures a year ago, but Gonzaga transfer McKayla Williams could take a leap after starting every game for the Bulldogs a year ago.

12. Arizona State

Last year: 8-20, (1-17 Pac-12)

What to know: The Sun Devils struggled last season but return their top three leading scorers in Tyi Skinner (19.3), Jaddan Simmons (12.4), and Treasure Hunt (11.3).

Alec Dietz covers University of Oregon football, volleyball, women’s basketball and baseball for The Register-Guard. You may reach him at adietz@registerguard.com and you can follow him on Twitter @AlecDietz.

This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Picking a preseason favorite in Pac-12 women's basketball final season

Advertisement