There are a number of alternative ways as an instance how inconceivable it’s that Washington State is alone atop the Pac-12 standings simply seven days away from March, the most effective of which might be tied to the truth that this can be a program that A) hasn’t received a convention championship since 1941, B) was picked tenth within the preseason Pac-12 ballot, and C) closed as a 13.5-point underdog Thursday evening at Arizona.
None of this was alleged to occur.
Nevertheless it’s occurring.
Imagine it or not, towards all odds and customary sense, Washington State is instantly alone atop the Pac-12 standings following its 77-74 victory over Arizona contained in the McKale Middle. The Cougars at the moment are 21-6 total and 12-4 within the Pac-12 with simply 4 regular-season video games remaining. They’ve jumped from No. 16 to No. 11 in Friday morning’s up to date CBS Sports activities Prime 25 And 1 each day school basketball rankings, which induced Duke, Alabama, Auburn and Dayton to be pushed down one spot every, no fault of their very own.
“That is massive,” stated Washington State’s Jaylen Wells, who transformed a 4-point play within the ultimate minute and scored 27 factors to guide the Cougars to the upset. “There’s a number of moments we may’ve folded — however we stayed poised, stored preventing again. I feel it is a massive win for us. … Individuals [were] saying, ‘Oh, you have to play Arizona.’ No, they have to play us.”
Touché, Jaylen Wells. Touché.
Subsequent up for Washington State is Saturday’s recreation at Arizona State, which misplaced at house late Thursday to Washington and dropped to 13-14. For what it is value, KenPom.com is now projecting Washington State and Arizona to complete as Pac-12 co-champs with 15-5 league data. If it goes down that method, Kyle Smith might be answerable for bringing WSU’s program its first convention title in additional than eight many years.
Prime 25 And 1 rankings
Greatest Movers
5
Washington State
8
Arizona