WCC Power Rankings, February 24th
By Josh Horton
Feb 5, 2014; Spokane, WA, USA; Portland Pilots forward Volodymyr Gerun (52) dribbles the ball around Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Drew Barham (43) during the first half at McCarthey Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
7. Portland
Last week: 5 (Down 2 spots)
Record: 15-13 (7-9)
RPI: 166
KenPom: 105
Place in Conf. Standings: 8
This past week: L @ USD 59-61, L @ BYU 72-89
There is only one word to describe Portland’s week: disastrous. I’m talking Sochi Hotel disastrous. Portland’s goals are set on securing a top 6 seed, and finishing the season with 9 wins would secure them of that. Coming into the week the two most winnable games were at San Diego and Pacific in the season finale. Getting those wins (which would have come against the 7 and 8 seeds respectively) would have locked up a top 6 seed and ensured the Portland played on Saturday in the WCC Tournament. Instead they lost by 2 at San Diego, and then again at BYU. As much as that BYU loss hurt, it was Gonzaga losing to San Diego that really hurt the Pilots. Now with two games left they will be forced to win at least 1 game to stay ahead of the Torreros. This is not the position Portland wanted to be in heading into the final week.