The Wildcats’ five-game winning streak has them back in first place in the Pac-12. They’re looking to stay there and get the season sweep over rival Arizona State. Arizona opened the conference season with a 94-82 home victory over the Sun Devils.
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HOW THE ARIZONA STATE SUN DEVILS CAN COVER THE SPREAD
It’s not going to be easy for the Sun Devils to knock off another ranked opponent. But anything can happen in a rivalry game. ASU knocked off No. 23 USC on Friday, giving the Sun Devils consecutive league wins for the first time this season.
The momentum ended with a loss to UCLA on Sunday, but the Sun Devils proved they can run with the big boys. ASU will need to turn up the defensive pressure to have any chance against the Wildcats. The Sun Devils stymied USC, holding the Pac-12’s highest scoring offense 14 points below its season average.
ASU forced more turnovers and outrebounded USC on the offensive glass to earn 12 more possessions, something they must do to contend with Arizona. Forwards Obinna Oleka, Willie Atwood and Savon Goodman need to be active down low and force the Wildcats to kick the ball out to the perimeter.
Coach Bobby Hurley also needs his guys to knock down a higher percentage of shots. Tra Holder leads ASU with 15.3 points per game but shoots just 40.6 percent from the field. As a team the Sun Devils shoot 42.5 percent and that’s not going to get it done.
HOW THE ARIZONA WILDCATS CAN COVER THE SPREAD
Following a sweep of the Los Angeles schools to give them a five-game winning streak, the Wildcats are back in a familiar spot – at the top of the Pac-12 standings.
Arizona has overcome a variety of injuries this season and is perhaps the most balanced team in the conference. The post play of Kaleb Tarczewski and Ryan Anderson has been a stabilizing force. Anderson leads the team in scoring and rebounding while Tarczewski, who missed several games earlier in the season, chips in 9.7 points and 8.7 rebounds. Mark Tollefson comes off the bench with 8.3 points.
The trio all shoot better than 52 percent from the floor while forcing defenses into compromising positions. Take the inside game away and perimeter players Gabe York, Kadeem Allen and Allonzo Trier will pick up the slack.
The Wildcats used a balanced attack to subdue Arizona State in the first meeting with five players reaching double figures in points, led by York’s 22. Arizona hit 55.6 percent of its field goals against the Sun Devils on Jan. 3 and makes 48.8 percent of their shots for the season. They are difficult to defend, as ASU found out in the conference opener.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
Arizona overcame a loss to Oregon a few weeks back that ended the Wildcats homecourt winning streak at 49 games. They haven’t lost since, regaining the top spot in the Pac-12. Arizona swept the Los Angeles schools and never trailed USC Sunday in a battle of ranked conference heavyweights. The Wildcats shouldn’t have a difficult time taking down ASU for a second time this season, but rivalry games are always tricky and the underdog Sun Devils would like nothing more than to knock their pals off the conference perch. However, Arizona’s balanced attack will be too much for ASU to overcome. Five Wildcats scored in double figures and two others added eight points each in a 94-82 win on Jan. 3. ASU will be pumped, but winning on the road has been difficult for them. It won’t happen this time in Tucson.
Arizona 84, Arizona State 76
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