USC Women's Basketball: Where Trojans Stand In Week 11 Power Rankings After UCLA Upset

The Trojans have climbed in the power rankings and surpassed UCLA after evening up the "Battle of L.A." regular season series.

After upsetting No. 2 UCLA 73-65 and handing the Bruins their first loss of the season, the USC Trojans have climbed the ladder to No. 3 in this week's power rankings. 

THE POWER 10 RANKINGS ARE HERE 👀❗️@autumnjohnsontv gives us her Power 10 Rankings for week 11 🏀

Do you agree? 🧐#NCAAWBB pic.twitter.com/My8v3Qtjk3

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) January 15, 2024

It was pure chaos as several of the top teams lost last week but the Women of Troy proved that they are a Top 5 team and national title contender.

There are three sets of power rankings and depending on which set you look at, USC is ranked either No. 3, No. 6, or No. 7. 

Per the NCAA, USC climbed two spots to No. 3, jumped from No. 13 to No. 6 on ESPN, and stayed the same according to the Athletic at No. 7. 

There are four Pac-12 teams in each set of rankings and the only one to have USC ranked the highest is the NCAA. The other two have Colorado ranked the highest and both teams will put their standing to the test on Sunday when they meet in Boulder.

What is the reasoning for them being lower on ESPN? Nonconference scheduling. 

"The Trojans made a big jump by knocking off UCLA even with Rayah Marshall sidelined with an illness, showing their defense can excel despite missing a key piece. USC's nonconference schedule wasn't as impressive as the Bruins' was, but the rivals have split their head-to-head matchups. Watkins has been the story every game so far for USC, but guard McKenzie Forbes stood out, too, with 18 points and four assists against UCLA."

via

ESPN

If the Trojans want to remain in the Top 5 and solidify their spot they have to win both contests against Utah and Colorado this weekend.