Arizona at Arizona State (+7.5) - 6:30pm Pacific - Game #599-600

It has been another disappointing season for the Sun Devils but this is always a game that is easy for players and fans to get up for.  An upset here could really be a big positive for this team.  ASU has actually played better than looked in their four conference home losses.  They lost late leads to both UCLA and USC on buzzer beater shots three weeks ago.  Last week they were embarrassed by Cal 88-58 but Cal ended the game on a 24-2 run so the final score is a bit misleading.  In last home game ASU lost to Stanford by 6 and it was a one possession game in the final minute.  In that game they lost standout freshman forward Jason Pendergraph after just 10 minutes of action in the first half to an ankle injury.  Pendergraph had already scored 14 points and ASU more than likely would not have blown their 8 point second half lead had he been available.  He has since been declared healthy and will start tonight. 

 

Arizona lost arguably its two best perimeter players last week when starting combo guard Chris Rodgers was dismissed from the team and wing Jawann McClellan suffered a season ending wrist injury.  Rodgers averaged 35+ minutes in the last five games before his dismissal.  McClellan played 32 minutes in his first game of the season after being ineligible for the first 14 games and that was when Rodgers was still playing.  That is an indication of how much Lute Olson needed them on the floor.  The losses were so significant that Olson was forced to remove the redshirt off freshman forward Fendi Onobun who played about 10 minutes in each of the last two games.  The Wildcats needed OT to beat Stanford and held off Cal by 5 points, but they now will play on the road for the first time without Rodgers and they went 0-2 in recent road trip to Oregon with both he and McClellan available.

 

There is every reason to expect ASU to be fired up for this game and they have already shown the ability to be very competitive with three other Pac-10 teams here at home.  Meanwhile, Arizona just does not have the same experience and firepower with their recent personnel losses and are not deserving of being a large road favorite vs an instate rival.  Take the points. 

RAS Official Play:  Arizona State +7.5  1 UNIT