These are the AP ranks of three of the five losses the Zags have thus far. They lost the three games by 8, 10, and 4 points respectively. OU received 28 votes as well, and would still be ranked were it not for that flukey blowout they suffered.

This, along with Gray and Heytvelt (who weren't in the lineup for two losses) improving every game, paints a very good picture for the Zags.

I don't think we've seen the best games out of the Zags yet but a key to their success will be whether Heytvelt can return to his form or close to his form of two years ago. He still lacks the quickness, explosiveness and agility he had back then. Hopefully he is still recovering from the foot injury and all of that will return.

The team also needs to avoid those 5 to 7 minute scoring lapses they seem to suffer in most games. They seemed to show a little more foot on the neck instinct against Portland but Portland was so inept it was hard to tell.

Next week's games at Santa Clara and Saint Mary's, if wins, should put them solidly in the driver's seat in the WCC, though there aren't many fast drivers in the conference.