The no. 1-ranked Arizona Wildcats are set to face off against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Desert Financial Arena in Tempe this Saturday. The Wildcats, boasting an impressive record of 21-0 and sitting atop the Pac-12 at 8-0, are looking to maintain their undefeated streak against the struggling Sun Devils, who have a record of 11-10 and are 2-6 in conference play. The game is scheduled to start at noon and will be broadcast on TNT and 1290-AM.
In their last encounter on January 14, Arizona narrowly escaped with an 89-82 victory at McKale Center, despite a late surge from ASU, with standout Koa Peat leading the Wildcats with 24 points and 10 rebounds. The tension was palpable in the previous Tempe matchup, as both teams saw ejections of key players and Arizona emerged victorious, 81-72, on February 1, 2025, with Caleb Love contributing 27 points.
As Arizona approaches this game, they are seeking to extend their winning streak against ASU to seven games, capitalizing on their overall series lead of 164-86. The Wildcats are aware of the challenges posed by the Sun Devils, who have struggled lately, losing three of their last four games. However, ASU’s recent performance, particularly with the return of guard Bryce Ford from injury and the contribution of forward Andrija Grbovic, who brings size and solid shooting to their lineup, cannot be overlooked.
Arizona Coach Tommy Lloyd acknowledged the talent within the ASU squad, highlighting their ability to create offensive opportunities. The key players to watch include Arizona’s Motiejus Krivas, who will face off against ASU’s formidable center Massamba Diop, and ASU’s Moe Odum, who proved pivotal in their close game earlier this month by scoring 23 points.
Adding to the excitement, Arizona guard Jaden Bradley has been recognized on the midseason watch list for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award, showcasing the depth of talent within the Wildcats roster.
Arizona is not only chasing victory but also the honor of breaking the program’s record for the longest undefeated start. With their current 21-0 streak tying the school’s previous best from 2014, a win at ASU would set a new mark with 22 consecutive wins, motivating the Wildcats even more.
Meanwhile, former Arizona forward Carter Bryant has gained attention after winning the Red-Blue Showcase dunk contest, and will participate in the upcoming NBA All-Star dunk contest, representing the school on a grand stage.
Arizona currently leads the NCAA Division I with nine Quad 1 wins. With the stakes high and the rivalry heating up, both teams are gearing up for what promises to be an exhilarating matchup in Tempe. The Wildcats are focused on maintaining their dominance while the Sun Devils aim to turn their season around in front of a home crowd. As the game approaches, fans on both sides are eager to see who will come out on top in this highly anticipated rivalry clash.