There continues to be something to this idea that Pac-12 teams can't perform on the road. The conference's best team — which I think we can safely say now — is Cal, and the Golden Bears squeaked by Washington by three on the road last night, while Stanford (5-2) lost in Pullman against Washington State (2-4).

After Thursday, Pac-12 teams are 27-11 at home. The Utes are 1-2 in Pac-12 home games, but have a chance to even that Saturday against Arizona State, which lost 69-54 at Colorado Thursday.

Utah has become almost endearing in its futility recently. Here you have a team with little going for it that has scrapped its way to a conference win and a couple of other near-misses. Send the best player, Josh Watkins, packing and suddenly the team is even more sympathetic.

But while watching Thursday's 77-51 loss to Arizona State, you couldn't help but think that this is what we will see the rest of the year from the Utes. They may have the tenacity to slow a better team for about a half, but they simply are not talented or deep enough to last 40 minutes against the Pac-12's upper echelon teams.

My game story in The Tribune discusses the Utes' transition into a new, Jiggy-less era, while we also break down the point guard position. Kareem Storey was solid in his debut as "the guy" but he can't be the long-term point guard solution for the Utes and, with transfer Glen Dean expected to be the starter next year, won't be.

For more on Watkins, Kurt Kragthorpe commends Larry Krystkowiak for kicking the star guard off the team, for giving the Utah program some direction.

Colorado 69, Arizona State 54 • Four players reached double-figures as the Buffs cruised to a comfortable victory over the short-handed Sun Devils. Essentially out of point guards, Arizona State floundered in its offense and couldn't stop Colorado, essentially giving the Pac-12 newcomer a "welcome gift."

California 69, Washington 66 • The Golden Bears saw a 13-point second-half lead disappear, but Cal held on and emerged from the night alone in first place. Washington's Darnell Gant had a shot to tie the game, but it fell short. This is a "make or break" weekend for the Huskies, and it opened with a thud.

Washington State 81, Stanford 69 • If you're looking for further proof the Pac-12 is nuts this season, go no further than Pullman. Seriously, the Cougars beat Stanford? That's what happens, though, when Faisal Aden goes off for 33 points and the Cardinal can't hang on to a 13-point lead.

Oregon State 87, UCLA 84 • The Beavers earned their second conference win of the season while, for the Bruins, this was simply another loss in a befuddling season. The Beavers shot 58 percent from the field and were led by 21 points from Jared Cunningham and 20 from Devon Collier.

Oregon 65, USC 62 • Probably closer than it should have been, the Ducks pulled this one out thanks to the calm free-throw shooting of Garrett Sim, who led Oregon with 20 points. The Trojans cut the lead to one in the final minute but couldn't get over the hump. USC fell to 0-6 in Pac-12 games.

— Bill Oram