UCLA Basketball and several Pac-12 teams fall in the AP Top 25 Poll

Thanksgiving week was anything but forgiving for the UCLA basketball team and several other Pac-12 squads that resulted in their fall in the latest AP Poll.

’Tis the season to give thanks and the UCLA basketball team should be especially thankful that they did not fall farther than they did in week 4 of the AP Top 25 basketball poll.

The Bruins entered Thanksgiving Feast Week ranked 23rd with two games in the Hall of Fame Classic. They were run out of the building last Monday with a 100-89 loss to Creighton which was highlighted by a myriad of problems: depth issues, inconsistent scoring and (the worst of all three) the lack of defense.

UCLA bounced back the next day with a last second shot from Aaron Holiday to take down the defensive-minded Wisconsin Badgers, 72-70.

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Though the Bruins found a way to finish strong (a good sign), they continued to have huge problems with depth and defense (a bad sign).

The Bruins finished the week on Sunday with a win over UC Irvine, 87-63, but it was way too close for comfort. UCLA needed a second half push to pull away from UCI. So after going 2-1 last week, UCLA is lucky to only fall five spots (they are essentially 28th with 56 total votes).

The Bruins were not the only top tier Pac-12 programs that had trouble last week. After a Sunday night 75-59 drubbing at home agaisnt then-#16 Texas A&M, the USC Trojans suffered their first loss of the season and fell from 10th to 14th.

And then there was the Pac-12 team that had the worst week of all. The former #2 Arizona Wildcats are no longer ranked after three consecutive losses in the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament. They are essentially 30th with 34 total votes.

The bright spot for the Conference of Champions was Arizona State who has started the season 6-0 which has earned them a #20 ranking.

Next: Bruins win on last second shot by Holiday

With most teams getting back to their non-tournament schedule (with most returning to the safe confines of home), the Pac-12 looks to bounce back with some wins. UCLA’s next three games are at home against some easier competition, so hopefully they can get “Ws” in each before they head to Michigan for a morning affair on Saturday, December 9. For the full AP Top 25 poll, click HERE.