ASU, Arizona top Pac-12 as conference play begins
Sun Devils have won all 12 of nonconference games while moving up to a program-high No. 3
PHOENIX — The two biggest surprises in the Pac-12 heading into conference play come from the same state.
Arizona State was picked to finish sixth in the Pac-12 yet has been maybe the biggest surprise in all of college basketball, winning all 12 of its nonconference games while moving up to a program-high No. 3 in the AP Top 25.
Arizona was No. 2 in the poll early in the season and went the opposite direction, dropping out after an unexpected 0-for-3 trip to the Bahamas. The Wildcats (10-3) have rounded back into form recently, setting up one of the most anticipated games in their rivalry on Saturday at McKale Center.
No. 17 Arizona and Arizona State are meeting with both teams ranked for the first time since 1995.
“I hope every fan from Arizona and Arizona State is trying like heck to get in that building,” Sun Devils coach Bobby Hurley said. “It’s going to be a fun, competitive game to be a part of.”
The Sun Devils were expected to be better in Hurley’s third season in the desert with big men Romello White and De’Quon Lake giving their three senior guards help on the inside at both ends.
Arizona State’s rise was much more meteoric than expected.
White and Lake have freed up the trio of Tra Holder, Shannon Evans II and Kodi Justice, while Hurley has allowed his confident guards the freedom to do what they do best. Arizona State also has one of nation’s biggest game-changers off the bench in Remy Martin, a high-energy, hard-playing freshman guard.
Arizona State turned a few heads by knocking off No. 15 Xavier in late November and burst into the national consciousness by beating No. 2 Kansas at Allen Fieldhouse.
“I think they have a great team,” Arizona coach Sean Miller said. “They have those guards playing at a high level as far as I can see and they have experience.”
Arizona got off to a slow start in large part because of defensive