ASU Men’s Basketball: Sun Devils suffer first loss of season in Tucson

(Photo: Tyler Rittenhouse/WCSN)

For decades, the Territorial Cup in men’s basketball has evoked a kind of big brother, little brother dynamic. Arizona has always been the national powerhouse, while ASU — sparsely relevant — pulls off its fair share of upsets.

Saturday’s matchup between the No. 3 Sun Devils and No. 17 Wildcats was as evenly matched as any in recent memory. “Big brother” might have reigned supreme 84-78, but it was nothing like the backyard 1-on-1 games of the past for these two contentious siblings.

This ASU team is on the same level as its rival down south. Sean Miller knows it, Bobby Hurley knows it, and neither head coach is buying into the dynamic that has existed for so long between their programs.

“There’s a lot of good players out there on both sides,” Miller said. “In Arizona State’s side, it’s refreshing to see those seniors. They’ve really improved.”

Senior guard Tra Holder led all scorers with 31 points on 15 made free throws. His effort, along with a largely impressive defensive performance by ASU, wasn’t enough to get over the hump. The Sun Devils were uncharacteristically turnover-prone in the first half and shot just 38 percent for the game.

Despite its struggles from the field, ASU fought to keep the contest within one or two possessions down the stretch.

“I always thought we (were) in the game, even when we were down 12,” Holder said. “We didn’t hit some of the shots we normally hit today, but that’s how basketball is.”

On the other end, foul trouble and matchup problems plagued ASU against a physically imposing Wildcat frontcourt. Deandre Ayton — arguably the most physically imposing player in the country — was a force down low all night. He finished with 23 points and 19 rebounds and plainly dominated Romello White.

Ayton and the Wildcats’ length prevented the Sun Devils from finding a rhythm in their typically dynamic offense. Arizona matched ASU’s pace and was able to get timely blocks and deflections, which stymied the Sun Devils’ ability to get good looks.

The duo of Ayton and Dusan Ristic was unlike any challenge ASU’s big men have faced thus far.

“We can’t really simulate in practice their size,” Hurley said. “Romello sure hasn’t seen two guys like that.

“I should’ve figured out a way to get him the ball and give him a chance to get a touch and get himself into the game.”

White, who fouled out late in the second half, wasn’t the only reliable scorer to struggle for the Sun Devils. Shannon Evans finished with seven points on 3-of-14 shooting, Kodi Justice managed just six on 2-of-9 from the field and Remy Martin disappeared after a strong start.

Despite all that went wrong on Saturday night, ASU gave itself a puncher’s chance down the stretch and remained competitive with its athletically superior rival. These games are no longer David vs. Goliath, though. They’re heavyweight bouts.

“We’re as good as anyone,” Holder said. “We showed that we’re capable of winning and we thought we should’ve won the game.”

The Sun Devils (12-1, 0-1 Pac-12) leave Tucson with a busted lip — their first blemish in what has been an exceptional season. If this game was any indication, the rematch on Feb. 15 in Tempe will be another grapple for temporary bragging rights.

Isn’t that how it always is with your brother?

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