Arizona State-Arizona Gama Preview-ZonaZealots

Game Information: Arizona State (8-5) @ Arizona Wildcats (12-1)

Date/Time: Sunday January 4, 2015 @ 5:00 p.m (MST)

Arizona: 12-1 (8-0 at home)

Opponent: Arizona State (8-5, 0-2 away)

All-Time Series: Arizona leads 145-81

Last Meeting: February 14, 2014: ASU 69-66 Arizona

TV: FOX Sports 1 (Gus Johnson and Bill Raftery)

Radio: Arizona IMG Sports Network (Jeffries/Hansen)

Satellite Radio: Sirus 92, XM 197

Live Stats: Live Stats

Tickets: Available Here

Twitter: @APlayersProgram

Arizona Probable Starters

G: Gabe York

Arizona State Probable Starters

G: Gerry Blakes

G: Roosevelt Scott

G: Savon Goodman

F: Shaquielle McKissic

C: Eric Jacobsen

In their first conference game of the season, the Wildcats welcome the Arizona State Sun Devils to McKale Center. Arizona is coming off its first loss of the season, while Arizona State is coming off a victory in their last game.

Last Time Out:

The Wildcats concluded their non-conference regular season by suffering their first loss of the season to the UNLV Runnin’Rebels, 71-67, in Las Vegas. Stanley Johnson had a double-double in the loss scoring 13 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. All five starters for the Wildcats reached double digits with T.J. McConnell leading the way with 14 points.

The Sun Devils are returning to the court for the first time since Sunday when they defeated Harvard 56-46 in Tempe. Four starters reached double digits in this one for ASU led by 13 points each for Shaquielle McKissic and Gerry Blakes. Savon Goodman and Roosevelt Scott each chipped in 10 points in the win.

Scouting the Wildcats:

The Wildcats are 8-0 at McKale this season and have won 29 straight home games dating back to 2013 when they lost to Cal. Freshman Stanley Johnson leads the Wildcats with 14.5 ppg and 6.8 rpg and is second on the team in assists averaging 1.7 apg. Brandon Ashley is second on the team with 11.7 ppg and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is third with 11.2 ppg. The Wildcats play a seven man rotation with all seven players averaging at least 14 points per game.

The Wildcats average 76.3 points per game and give up only 60.3 ppg for a +16 scoring margin, both good for second in the Pac-12. Arizona shoots 50.1% from the field to lead to the Pac-12 in that category and shoot 37.4% from the 3-point arc. Opponents are shooting only 39.4% from the field and 31.9% from behind the arc. Turnover margin is a big factor in the Wildcats success ranking second in the conference with a +2.46 margin, averaging 109 steals per game, also good for second.

Dec 23, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils forward Savon Goodman (11) puts up a layup against the Detroit Titans during the first half at Wells-Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Scouting the Sun Devils:

Community college, and former UNLV forward, Savon Goodman, who missed the first nine games due to transfer rules, has provided a nice spark for the Sun Devils in the four games since his return averaging 15.8 ppg and 8 rpg since his debut. Three other starters are averaging double digits, including Gerry Blakes (12.2), Shaquielle McKissic (10.7), and Eric Jacobsen (10.3). Jacobsen also leads the team in rebounding with 7.4 per game. The Sun Devils have 11 guys who average at least 10 minutes per game and eight who average 15 or more.

The Sun Devils average 73.5 ppg and give up 63.2 for a +10.3 scoring margin good for sixth in the conference. ASU shoots 46.7% from the field and 39.1% from 3-point range, which is first in the Pac-12. Arizona State holds opponents to 41.2% shooting from the field and 32.9% from behind the arc. The Sun Devils have a bad -.9 turnover margin so far this season and have a 1.0 assist/turnover ratio.

Prediction

Arizona: 77

Arizona State: 68

A Look Ahead

Arizona travels to Oregon to face the Ducks and Beavers, on Thursday and Saturday respectively, for their first two road games of conference play.

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By Vince Senick | Jan 4, 2015