Dane Miller’s Week 13 Best-in-West Hoops Power Rankings

There’s only one month remaining until March.

With several teams in the West hovering on the Bubble, the results this month might determine their NCAA Tournament hopes.

The teams in the Mountain West, in particular, are vying for the precious few at-large bids the league is expected to receive.

New Mexico, Utah State, and San Diego State are all battling for what could be just one bid apart from the auto-bid for winning the MWC Tournament Championship.

And in the WCC, Santa Clara and Saint Mary’s are fighting for what’s likely to be the WCC’s lone bid outside of Gonzaga.

Here’s how I view the Top 10 College Basketball Teams in the West at the start of February.

1. Arizona (22-0, 9-0)

The Wildcats stayed undefeated with road wins at BYU and Arizona State.

Tommy Lloyd’s team is off to the best start in program history. But what happens in the regular season doesn’t really matter.

This team, like every Arizona team before it, will be judged by what happens in March.

2. Gonzaga (22-1, 10-0)

Undefeated in the WCC and with just one loss in the nonconference, Gonzaga is in contention for a 1-seed.

With wins over Oklahoma, Creighton, Alabama, Kentucky, and UCLA, the Zags have a reasonable case.

But to get there, Mark Few’s team must take care of business on the road against Santa Clara, San Francisco, and Saint Mary’s this month.

3. BYU (17-4, 5-3)

The defeats to Arizona and Kansas don’t change the ceiling of BYU’s season.

The slow starts, however, are alarming. Kevin Young must get that issue fixed before the end of the regular season.

If not, the Cougars might slip below the 4-seed line and become at risk for an early-round upset.

4. Saint Mary’s (19-4, 8-2)

The Gaels lost to Gonzaga in Spokane, but remain in a favorable position.

Sitting at No. 32 in the NET and No. 35 in KenPom, Saint Mary’s is on the right side of the bubble. Yet, any surprising losses to close the WCC could be problematic.

If San Francisco comes into Moraga and beats the Gaels this week, the alarm bells will start ringing.

5. New Mexico (18-4, 9-2)

The Lobos look like the best team in the Mountain West.

Joe Lunardi has New Mexico hovering dangerously close to the cut line, though, indicating the lack of clout the MWC has this season.

The Lobos host Utah State and Boise State this week, presenting opportunities to bolster the resume.

6. UCLA (15-7, 7-4)

A double-overtime loss to a big brand like Indiana doesn’t change much. Especially with key contributor Skyy Clark missing the game due to injury.

Still, a loss at home to an unranked opponent isn’t ideal.

For now, just take care of Rutgers and Washington before a tough stretch comes with games against Michigan, Michigan State, and Illinois.

7. Utah State (18-3, 9-2)

Beating San Diego State was arguably Utah State’s best win of the season. The metrics love the Aggies, and so do the bracketologists.

At No. 31 in KenPom, No. 26 in the NET, and a 9-seed according to Lunardi, Utah State must feel good about its NCAA Tournament chances.

A win over New Mexico in Albuquerque this week would back up the metrics.

8. San Diego State (15-6, 9-2)

It’s an uneasy time down in San Diego. The Mountain West is not very respected this season, and the Aztecs have a bad loss to Troy on their resume.

This week should be smooth sailing, however, with games against Wyoming and Air Force.

The latter half of February gets tougher, with contests against Nevada, GCU, Utah State, and New Mexico.

9. California (16-6, 4-5)

Leaving the Florida trip with a split was in line with expectations. But leaving with a win over Miami and a loss to Florida State was not.

Without any recent NCAA Tournament success, the Bears face an uphill climb to get an at-large bid.

But if Cal handles Georgia Tech and Clemson in Berkeley this week, the Bears might find themselves in the projected field.

10. Santa Clara (19-5, 10-1)

Sitting on the Bubble, Santa Clara handled their business last week. The margin of victory over San Francisco and Loyola Marymount helped perceptions.

Combined with the win over Saint Mary’s earlier in January, the Broncos are in a decent position.

But the nonconference losses to Loyola Chicago and Arizona State remain problematic.

Just Missed: USC