ASU Men’s Basketball: Coming off strong win, Sun Devils looking to even score with Wildcats

(Photo: Brady Klain/WCSN)

After arguably their best performance of the season in their most recent game, Arizona State (11-7, 2-3 in Pac-12) welcomes in-state rival Arizona (13-5, 3-2 in Pac-12) to Desert Financial Arena.

In the first meeting of the season on Jan. 4 in Tucson, Arizona trounced Arizona State 75-47. ASU shot 3-of-21 from three in that game, an area they have struggled in during Pac-12 play until their 11-of-18 victory over Utah last week.

“When you’re done with your game, you just have to let it go and think about the next one,” ASU head coach Bobby Hurley said. “I don’t think we’re really dwelling on the first game or what the score was. I don’t think that’s going to have much of a factor on Saturday night.”

Instead, Arizona State will be seeking to build off of the momentum of the Utah win, defeating the Utes 83-64. Both Rob Edwards and Remy Martin collected 20 points in the victory, giving ASU a boost prior to their rivalry game. Martin knows the importance of Saturday’s matchup against the Wildcats and the added level of protection playing in front of maroon of gold in the stands.

“Every time you’re at home always gives you an advantage, you know, always makes you feel comfortable,” Martin said. “Just playing our game. I think they’re a great team. Everybody knows they’re really good team and being at home definitely helps. We’ve been preparing for them, for this moment on Saturday.”

Arizona enters the Territorial Cup matchup winners of two straight games against Colorado and Utah. Currently ranked as the No. 22 team in the country, the Wildcats are striving to amend last year’s 95-88 loss in Tempe.

Leading the way for the Wildcats are Zeke Nnaji, Nico Mannion and Josh Green. All three are averaging double digits scoring figures and all three had 10 or more in the first meeting. ASU will need to clamp down on those three this time.

Defensively for the Sun Devils, Jaelen House will be a game time decision. House was out of the lineup for last Saturday’s matchup against Utah.

“If I had to say I think he’ll play I think, but again, it’s you still have a few hurdles to get through,” Hurley said.

Tip-off from Tempe is slated for 7:30 p.m. and can be seen live on Pac-12 Network.

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