Sports Network | February 13, 2011
GAME NOTES: The 15th-ranked Arizona Wildcats will close out a three-game road swing this evening as they face their in-state rivals, the Arizona State Sun Devils, in a Pac-10 Conference clash at Wells-Fargo Arena.
Arizona has not played in eight days, since it downed California, 107-105, in triple overtime. Needless to say, the rest was well-deserved. The thrilling triumph marked the Wildcats' fifth straight win and eighth in the last nine games. They sit atop the Pac-10 at 9-2.
Although this rivalry has seen its share of slugfests and barn-burners, Arizona State is not currently in the position to act as much of a challenge. The Sun Devils currently dwell in the cellar of the Pac-10 standing, with a 1-10 record and have lost seven straight games dating back to an 80-69 loss to Arizona in the teams' first matchup on Jan. 15th.
With regards to the all-time series, tonight's matchup marks the 220th meeting between Arizona and Arizona State. The Wildcats currently hold a comfortable 140-79 lead over the Sun Devils.
Lamont Jones proved to be the hero in Arizona's scintillating triple overtime victory over Cal. Jones' big-play ability had been called into question before, but he silenced the naysayers last Saturday, earning Pac-10 Player of the Week accolades for his efforts. Jones scored the go-ahead layup with 1:03 remaining in the third overtime and also hit a game-tying and extending, three-pointer with five seconds to go in the second overtime, as the Wildcats eventually prevailed. The unabashed hero of the night, Jones finished with 27 points on 9-of-18 shooting. He went 2-of-6 from deep and 7-of-9 from the free throw line. Kevin Parrom turned in a spectacular all-around game in support, coming off the bench to tally 25 points on 9-of-12 shooting, to go with six rebounds and six assists against just two turnovers. Parrom led an almost unbelievable bench effort, as the Arizona reserves outscored the Cal reserves by an incredible 52-3 margin. Jones now averages 9.8 ppg on the year, but he has upped his production to 12.6 ppg in conference play. Derrick Williams (19.8 ppg) leads the Wildcats to a solid 78.5 pg clip. They allow 66.7 ppg on the other end.
Like Arizona, Arizona State last played eight days ago, but the result didn't prove to be nearly as positive, or thrilling for that matter. The Sun Devils fell, 83-75 to Stanford to drop their seventh straight game. Jeremy Green scored a season-high 23 points, connecting on all five of his three-point attempts and Josh Owens added 16 points, but it was to no avail. The Sun Devils were outscored by Stanford in both halves in what proved to be a forgettable Arizona State defensive effort. Stanford shot 52.2 percent from the field and an incredible 55.6 percent (10-of-18) from three-point range. The Cardinal also handed out 18 assists and placed four players in double figures. Typically, it is not the defense that fails Arizona State, but rather, a lack of consistent offensive firepower. The Sun Devils are scoring just 64.2 ppg on 42.7 percent shooting. Most of the team's strength lies on the perimeter, as it knocks down an impressive 7.5 three-pointers per game, but posts a minus-3.7 rebounding margin. Trent Lockett paces the modest offensive attack at 14 ppg, while Ty Abbott adds 13.1 ppg in support. The Sun Devils allow 66.5 ppg on the other end.
In years past, this matchup has provided some great finishes, but don't expect tonight's showdown to follow suit. Arizona and Arizona State are currently headed in different directions.
GAME NOTES: The 15th-ranked Arizona Wildcats will close out a three-game road swing this evening as they face their in-state rivals, the Arizona State Sun Devils, in a Pac-10 Conference clash at Wells-Fargo Arena.
FACTS & STATS: Site: Wells-Fargo Arena (14,141) -- Tempe, Arizona. Television: FSN. Home Record: Arizona 13-0, Arizona State 5-5. Away Record: Arizona 6-2, Arizona State 2-8. Neutral Record: Arizona 1-2, Arizona State 2-1. Conference Record: Arizona 9-1, Arizona State 1-10. Series Record: Arizona leads 140-79.
Arizona 76, Arizona State 68