WCC Power Rankings (December 10th)

Dec 5, 2013; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Toreros player Duda Sarbaugh (10) attempts a game winning shot at the buzzer over San Diego State Aztecs guard Dakarai Allen (4) during the second half at Jenny Craig Pavillion. The Aztecs won 65-64. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

5. San Diego

Record: 7-3

RPI: 196

KenPom: 129

PPG: 71.1

RPG: 36.2

FG%: .450

Movement: Down 1

Although Torero guard Duda Sanadze got an open look from three-point land with only a handful of seconds left, he could not connect and USD was not able to take down its crosstown rivals, San Diego State. Is that why San Diego fell in the rankings? Not at all.

The Toreros have proved to be worthy of the top-5 of the WCC, and possibly the top 3. Throw out an abysmal loss against Illinois-Chicago in the Gulf Coast Showcase, and the win-loss record of the Toreros opponent is 14-2 (San Diego State and New Mexico). In those two losses, San Diego lost by a combined 8 points to two very good squads.

What keeps the Toreros competitive in these games is their defense. San Diego only allows its opponents to score 61.9 points per game, shoot 24.1 percent from three-point range and 37.1 percent from the field. All of these metrics rank first in the West Coast Conference.

The Toreros take on Pacifica College and UC Santa Barbara this week.