BootPowerRatings - 1/8

A new year, a new season of conference play, and a new start to the Booty's hoops BPRs. The BootComputer was tirelessly reprogrammed over the holiday break to switch from pigskin to roundball, and our first set of ratings have been churned out. Check out these proprietary ratings and rankings of the conference, plus the ever-priceless commentary that accompanies them.

Pac-10 BootPowerRatings™
As of 3/5/02

Sponsored by the Blue Chalk Cafe
Official Watering Hole of The Bootleg

Below are our exclusive BootPowerRatings™ of the Pac-10 conference. Each week during the basketball season, we will release our secret-formula rating of all teams of the Pac-10. The BootPowerRating™ (BPR) is calculated by utilizing a range of factors rumored to include: past results, statistics, common-opponent comparative results factor, strength-of-schedule, home-arena environment, cheerleader attitude and an unrevealed school spirit multiplier. The resulting rating score falls within a 1-100 scale, where 100 approximates a championship-bound team and a score of 1 is somewhere south of D-1.

1. Arizona [BPR=93]

Having already won their toughest game from here on out, Lute's Lions have all but wrapped up the regular season title.  Good thing too, because cover boy Luke Walton will be regulated to towel waving duties for a while.  In other news, Will Bynum is about to pull a Ruben Douglas and get the hell out of dodge.  [CatTracks.net]

2. Oregon [BPR=87]

One week into conference play, and the Greens have already lost more games at home than they did all of last year.  You think the Ducks miss the abominable Chris Christopherson?  They miss his rebounding, that's for sure. As they continue to lose the battle of the boards, the UO travels to NorCal, which includes a stop in Maples, a place they have not left victorious in 17 years.  [eDuck Sports]

3. California [BPR=81]

Now that kal has downed bitter rival Stanford at the Out Haas, the season is a success regardless of what happens the rest of the way.  During halftime, weenie students paraded The Axe around in front of members of The Bench, causing one such student to proclaim, "This must be what it feels like to see Halley's comet!"  [CyberBears]

4. Stanford [BPR=79]

Just when it looked like the momentum wagon was rolling downhill, a rock from across the bay got stuck in the spokes.  Some disturbing events led to the demise of the Trees on Saturday, mainly the lack of hustle, the loss of Justin Davis, and the disappearance of swingman Matt Lottich's shot.  The Card will need all three to show up this week if they want to sweep the Oregon's.  [The Bootleg.com]

5. Arizona St. [BPR=77]

Despite blowing a second half lead in Eugene, Rob Evans seems to have his program on the rise.  Encouraging results so far from frosh center "We like" Ike Diogu, who dropped 27 on the Quacks.  Could this be the year the Demons break through and make the dance?  [DevilsDigest.com]

6. UCLA [BPR=72]

Slipper than his hair, Steve kept his team above the water line last weekend, thanks in large part to Maui Kapono's 44 points against the Cougs.  Quote of the week comes from forward Andre Patterson, who says, "We aren't looking past anybody."  No doubt some teams are looking past you, Andre.  [Bruin Report Online]

7. USC [BPR=69]

The exodus by Brandon Granville and Sam Clancy has not been handled well, as Traveler has stumbled out of the gate.   This struggle reached a climax last Saturday when $C squandered a 21 point lead to the Huskies.  This is all so hard to believe when you consider how personable Hank Bibby is with his players.  [WeAreSC.com]

8. Oregon St. [BPR=67]

In hopes of bringing a winning attitude to Beaverball, OSU hired former Arizona assistant Jay John to be the head coach.  Ironically, the Wildcats served John his first conference loss, no doubt not his last.  With names on the roster such as Jimmie Haywood and Floyd North III, the Rodents should change their name to the Hoosiers.  [Beaver Sports Central]

9. Washington [BPR=64]

Other than the upset win over the Trojans, there isn't anything exciting to report on in Seattle.  Unless of course you classify the declaration of Jeffrey Day as being academically ineligible as newsworthy.  [Dawgman.com]

10. Washington St. [BPR=63]

Once again, Wazzu finds themselves on the bottom of the basketball food chain.  In of the truly underrated comedy classics of our time, Bill Murray was asked to make a prediction about the weather in Groundhog Day, to which he replied, "It's going to be a cold, long winter, and it's going to last you the rest of your life."  That pretty much nails the BootComputer's prediction for the Cougars' season.  [Cougfan.com]