ASU Basketball: 2019 Pac-12 Week 3 Power Rankings

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 19: Taeshon Cherry #35 of the Arizona State Sun Devils and Arizona State bench react after the team defeated the Mississippi State Bulldogs 72-67 in a semifinal game of the MGM Resorts Main Event basketball tournament at T-Mobile Arena on November 19, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 19: Taeshon Cherry #35 of the Arizona State Sun Devils and Arizona State bench react after the team defeated the Mississippi State Bulldogs 72-67 in a semifinal game of the MGM Resorts Main Event basketball tournament at T-Mobile Arena on November 19, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 09: Colorado Buffaloes mascot Chip performs during the team’s quarterfinal game of the Pac-12 Basketball Tournament against the Arizona Wildcats at T-Mobile Arena on March 9, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Arizona won 92-78. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 09: Colorado Buffaloes mascot Chip performs during the team’s quarterfinal game of the Pac-12 Basketball Tournament against the Arizona Wildcats at T-Mobile Arena on March 9, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Arizona won 92-78. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

6. Colorado Buffaloes

Colorado has only played two regular-season games this year, but both were wins. First, the Buffaloes pounded Drake, winning by 29. Then, Colorado avoided catastrophe against Omaha in a 79-75 nail-biter.

Against Drake, Colorado shot an exceptional 58.9 percent while also manhandling the Bulldogs on the boards 44 to 29.

The Omaha game was a different story.

CU was still somewhat effective from the field, shooting just below 50 percent, but turnovers were devastating. The Buffaloes mishandled the ball 16 times with the Mavericks cashing in on those miscues for 19 points.

But thanks to stellar efforts on the glass and free-throw line, Colorado was able to escape.

Though the result is marked as a victory, Colorado should worry after being tested by Omaha. Granted, stranger things have happened in college basketball, but Omaha is 1-3 with losses to Minnesota, Colorado and Northern Arizona.

Nevertheless, a win is a win. The Buffaloes now shift their focus to getting through the non-conference, which shouldn’t be too difficult.

Seven games remain for CU until Pac-12 play, none of which are opponents from major conferences. Among the notable teams left on Colorado’s non-conference schedule include New Mexico, Indiana State, San Diego State and Colorado State. All respectable mid-major teams, but not eye-popping programs.

– Wilkinson