ASU Men’s Basketball: Sun Devils look to make statement in rivalry matchup to start conference play

(Photo: Tyler Rittenhouse/WCSN)

No. 3 Arizona State takes its undefeated record to Tucson Saturday to open conference play against No. 17 Arizona (10-3).

It’s no secret to avid fans that this rivalry has been one-sided in recent years. The Wildcats have won the last four matchups and eight of the last 10. ASU’s most recent victory in Tucson came February 21, 2010.

However, there’s good reason to believe ASU will turn things around for this matchup.

The Sun Devils finished their non-conference schedule perfect for the first time in school history, and their 12-game win streak to start the season is their second longest ever.

The biggest factor in ASU’s success has been its outstanding guard play, which has made the maroon and gold “Guard U” t-shirts the latest fad around Tempe.

The Sun Devil backcourt has emerged as one of the best in the country, with four players averaging double-digit points (Tra Holder- 21.3, Shannon Evans II- 17.8, Kodi Justice- 13.6, Remy Martin- 10.2). This has elevated ASU to the 4^th best scoring team in the nation- averaging 91.8 points per game.

The Wildcats will surely test their mettle Saturday, as they have won seven straight since going 0-3 in The Bahamas Thanksgiving weekend to fall from No. 2 to being unranked.

The trio of Allonzo Trier, Deandre Ayton, and Rawle Alkins has led Arizona back to relevancy. While the Wildcats aren’t quite scoring on ASU’s level, they still average 83.5 points per contest, tied for 38^th. Trier leads the way with 21.2 ppg, followed by Ayton at 19.5 and Alkins at 16.

As has been common this season, ASU’s biggest challenge will be getting the frontcourt to hold its own in a difficult matchup.

Forward Romello White has been the big presence down low, averaging 14.9 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. Also contributing is De’Quon Lake (9.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg)- and since his debut, December 10- Mickey Mitchell, putting up 6.8 rpg himself.

The Wildcats will counter with the 7-1, 250-lb Ayton, who puts up 11.4 rpg in addition to his high scoring. Seven-foot, 245-lb center Dusan Ristic contributes as well, averaging 9.8 ppg and 6.3 rpg.

In addition, Ayton and Alkins both average just shy of 1.5 blocks per game, a number only Lake can match with his 1.6.

For comparison, White is 6-8, 220 lbs, Lake is 6-10, 225 lbs and Mitchell is 6-7, 210 lbs.

White is the country’s 4^th most efficient shooter though, sporting a .700 field goal percentage. The Sun Devils will have to shoot efficiently across the board if they look to maintain a balanced offensive attack.

With this matchup marking the start of conference play, the in-state foes remain the only ranked Pac-12 teams as of Monday’s AP poll. UCLA was the only other team to even receive votes.

It will be the first time since the ’94-95 season we see an ASU-Arizona matchup with both teams ranked.

Saturday’s game tips off at 7 p.m. and can be seen on Pac-12 Network.