ASU Basketball: 2019 Pac-12 Week 7 Power Rankings

DAYTON, OH - MARCH 14: Head coach Bobby Hurley of the Arizona State Sun Devils argues a call with an official during the game against the Syracuse Orange at UD Arena on March 14, 2018 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Bobby Hurley
DAYTON, OH - MARCH 14: Head coach Bobby Hurley of the Arizona State Sun Devils argues a call with an official during the game against the Syracuse Orange at UD Arena on March 14, 2018 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Bobby Hurley /
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LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 08: Head coach Tad Boyle of the Colorado Buffaloes gestures to his players during a first-round game of the Pac-12 Basketball Tournament against the Washington State Cougars at T-Mobile Arena on March 8, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 08: Head coach Tad Boyle of the Colorado Buffaloes gestures to his players during a first-round game of the Pac-12 Basketball Tournament against the Washington State Cougars at T-Mobile Arena on March 8, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

4. Colorado Buffaloes (8-1) LW: 8

If you look at records, Colorado is the Pac-12’s best team. But like some hot starts in college basketball, there’s another side to the story.

According to CBSSports.com, seven of the Buffaloes’ eight victories have been against teams ranked outside the top-100 in RPI. Their one win inside was against No. 75 Drake, a 100-71 drubbing at home.

Granted, CU deserves credit. It overcame a 17-point deficit against New Mexico at “The Pit,” one of the nation’s toughest home court advantages. In that game, sophomore guard Tyler Bey led the comeback with a 14-point, 11-rebound effort.

While Bey struggled offensively early on, his recent production has helped match that of McKinley Wright IV and Lucas Siewert. All three average double figures in scoring, and each can add an impact through playmaking or rebounding.

Two weeks from now, we’ll know if these Buffaloes are legit. They start Pac-12 play at the McKale Center, perhaps the biggest stage to prove their worth.

If they can get by that test, they’ll start to get the credit they deserve.

– Booth