Arizona State Sun Devils Preview
Arizona State enters this game with momentum from their epic comeback against Santa Clara in Las Vegas. The Sun Devils overcame a 17-point halftime deficit—the largest in school history tied with a 1994 win over Stanford—despite coach Bobby Hurley's ejection.[1]
"The guys really rallied together," Hurley noted post-game, praising the halftime adjustments. Key contributors included Anthony Johnson with 15 points (14 after break) and Massamba Diop's double-double threat. Maurice Odum's all-around stats (16.7 PPG, 6.0 APG) make him ASU's engine.[1][2]
With a 9-2 record and three straight wins, ASU looks to challenge UCLA's recent dominance, having lost the last five meetings.[1]
UCLA Bruins Preview
UCLA, sitting at 7-3 with a perfect 6-0 home mark in Big Ten play, aims to rebound from their 82-72 defeat to Gonzaga. They led 54-53 late but were outscored 29-18 the rest of the way.[1][2]
Coach Mick Cronin lamented defensive lapses: "We tried zone, man, double, triple team... couldn't get it done." Tyler Bilodeau's 24-point outburst highlights his scoring prowess, while Donovan Dent's playmaking (12.0 PPG, 6.8 APG) keeps the offense fluid.[1]
The Bruins have owned this series, winning eight of the last nine, and their home crowd could prove decisive at Pauley Pavilion.[1][2]
Key Matchup Factors
This clash features contrasting momentum: ASU's resilience versus UCLA's home strength and historical edge. Odum vs. Dent at guard will dictate tempo, while Bilodeau's interior presence challenges ASU's frontcourt.[2]
Betting odds list UCLA as 9.5-point favorites, reflecting their series lead and home dominance. Expect a tight battle given both teams' recent high-scoring outputs.[2]
Fans can follow live scores on ESPN or CBS Sports for real-time updates from this pivotal early-season Big Ten test.[1][2]