It’s been a great start to the season for the Arizona State Sun Devils. Arizona State is 12-0 and one of three unbeaten teams left in the country at the end of December. It’s not like this team has played a bunch of nobodies either. The Sun Devils have knocked off highly-ranked opponents like Xavier and Kansas during its start and look poised to keep up their winning ways. This Saturday they will play the team they want to beat more than any other, the Arizona Wildcats.
This war on the floor will go down Saturday, December 30, 2017, at 9 p.m. ET at the McKale Center in Tucson, Arizona. The game will be televised live on the PAC 12 Network. We'll have NCAA basketball odds at BookMaker.eu available for this and every game on the college basketball Saturday schedule.
Opening College Basketball Odds at BookMaker.eu
Arizona State has relied on its fantastic offense to outscore opponents all season long. The Sun Devils are 10-2 ATS on the year thanks to their offense and neither Kansas nor Xavier could slow them down. They have already won outright three times as an underdog this season, including a win over Kansas State. Over was 5-0-1 in their first five games, but since the books adjusted the under has come in in four of the last six.
There’s no denying that the Wildcats are one of the most talented teams in the nation. Yet it seems like this team is missing something. Arizona has just not looked that sharp this season and has needed to squeak out wins over inferior opponents too many times. This team is 5-7-1 ATS on the year.
Matchup to Watch
It’s no secret that Arizona State is going to play the style of basketball that has got it off to such a hot start. The Sun Devils are going to push the pace and take a lot of threes and force Arizona to try to match them.
Arizona State’s offense has been the fourth-best in the country according to Ken Pomeroy. This team is hitting 50.8 percent of its shot from the floor and 40 percent of its three-point attempts too. Despite playing an up-tempo pace, the Sun Devils are able to create a lot of shots by passing the ball around to find a good shot for a teammate.
The Wildcats’ offense has been very effective too this season. Arizona is actually hitting a greater percentage of its field goals, 52 percent, and its top four scorers have all been lights out from the floor. Each player is sinking at least 55 percent of their shots on the season.
Player to Watch
This is the time for Allonzo Trier to shine. Trier was hailed as a potential All-American coming into the season and was seen as the leader of the team. He started the season strong with great performances in his first five games, but has not taken over a game since the Wildcats outlasted UNLV in overtime.
Trier just hasn’t taken that many shots in recent weeks, instead getting his teammates more involved. Rather than drive the basket or try to make something happen on his own, he has been content to dish the ball.
Maybe he has had an eye on preparing his teammates for March, but now the time has come for Trier to take on a large role once again.
Free College Basketball ATS Picks
This is going to be a high-scoring affair. Look for Arizona to except the challenge of playing at Arizona State’s pace and for this to be a fun, high-scoring affair.
The key for the Sun Devils will be to get into Arizona’s bench. The Wildcats’ starters are fantastic, but there is a big downgrade when the team is using its bench so don’t be surprised to see Arizona State try to get Arizona’s starters in foul trouble.
College Basketball Odds: Arizona State 94, Arizona 90
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