Pac-12 after dark hits the hardwood when the Arizona State Sun Devils (4-7, 1-4) visit the Arizona Wildcats (11-3, 5-3) on Monday, January 25, 2021. Arizona is tied for fifth in the Pac-12 and trail the UCLA Bruins by 2.5 games. The Sun Devils are in last place in the conference and are five games back of UCLA. This game will air live on ESPN2 at 11:00 p.m. EST.
Through 11 games, the Arizona State offense is averaging 76.4 points per game and are shooting 43.8% from the field. The Sun Devils are also grabbing 31.8 rebounds and are dishing out 12.7 assists per game. Remy Martin leads the team with 16.7 points and 4.3 assists, and Josh Christopher is grabbing a team high 5.3 rebounds per game. Defensively, ASU is allowing 77.6 points, are blocking 3.7 shots, and stealing the ball 7.2 steals. Arizona State is currently on a five-game losing streak.
After 14 games, the Arizona offense is averaging 80.3 points per game and are shooting 45.5% from the field. The Wildcats are grabbing 40.6 rebounds and 15.9 assists per game. James Akinjo leads the team with 14.2 points and 5.5 assists, and Azuolas Tubelis is grabbing 6.1 rebounds per game. Defensively, Arizona is allowing just 68.6 points, 4.4 blocks, and 6.6 steals per game. Arizona is on a two-game winning streak.
Arizona State Sun Devils at Arizona Wildcats (-5.5): O/U 156.0 (-108/-112)
These two teams met last Thursday, and Arizona won a back and forth game, at Arizona State, 84-82. Azuolas Tubelis was the star at the end of the game as he blocked Remy Martin’s shot on the defensive end and then had a game winning put back as time expired to give the Wildcats the win. Arizona led by as many as 11 points and Arizona State held a seven-point lead at one point.
Remy Martin was tied with Josh Christopher for the ASU high in points, with 18, and led the team with six assists. Marcus Bagley and Alonzo Verge Jr. each grabbed a team high six rebounds on the night. Arizona State shot 46.3% (25-54) from the field, 52.4% (11-21) from beyond the arc, and 72.4% (21-29) from the free throw line.
James Akinjo led Arizona with 24 points, Terrell Brown Jr. dished out six assists, and Azuolas Tubelis grabbed a team high seven rebounds on the night. Arizona shot 47.5% (29-61) from the field, 55.0% (11-20) from beyond the arc, and 88.2% (15-17) from the free throw line.
Series History: These teams have met 240 times in the past and Arizona holds a commanding 154-86 all-time series advantage.
Game Prediction: I expect Arizona to win this game more comfortably than last Thursday, so give me the Wildcats -5.5 Monday night.
2020-2021 CBB Pick Record: 4-3
