Wildcats rout Devils in Pac-12 men’s opener

TUCSON, Ariz. - Playing at McKale Center is never an easy task. When you’re having shooting issues and facing a formidable foe that came in looking for a bit of redemption it makes the task even more daunting.

It was the rival Arizona Wildcats cruising past the visiting Arizona State Sun Devils 75-47 on Saturday night in the Pac-12 opener for both squads.

Last season ASU swept the Wildcats for the first time since the 20082009 season. But the Wildcats entered the season with conference title aspirations, bolstered by one of the nation’s top freshmen classes.

Both came in having faced quality competition through the non-conference portion of the schedule but these Sun Devils (9-5) were no match for the No. 24 Wildcats (11-3).

Arizona never trailed. ASU only trailed 16-11 halfway through the first 20 minutes but the contest seemed more lopsided than that. Sun Devils forward Romello White was at the line to cut the deficit to three but he missed both tries.

Arizona followed with a 14-4 run with the Wildcats beating the Sun Devils up and down the floor for high percentage shots. Chase Jeter scored inside over White to make it 24-23. Then after a turnover at the other end Arizona’s Zeke Nnaji, one of the three touted freshmen in the Wildcats lineup, scored inside extending the lead to 13.

It only got worse for the Sun Devils. Already down 30-15, Arizona got a fast break layup from freshman Josh Green, who was fouled and connected on the free throw.

The half ended two minutes later on a fast break dunk by Nnaji, sending the home team up 36-17.

The Wildcats finished the first half with a 26-15 edge on the boards and a 26-6 advantage in points in the paint. Nothing came easy for the Sun Devils who went just 7-of-27 from the field and 1-for-9 from long distance in the first half. Even free throws were difficult with ASU making only 2 of 8 and missing the first six.

About the only positive for the visitors was the play of Kimani Lawrence who had four blocked shots in the first half.

It was a disappointing start of conference play for the Sun Devils and the task isn’t going to get any easier for Hurley’s squad which will take stay on the road for road games next weekend at Oregon State and Oregon.

It is the eighth time in 12 years ASU has opened conference play on the road.