UCLA Bruins basketball will be playing Arizona State for the second to last time Wednesday as Pac-12 rivals before the Bruins depart for the Big Ten while the Sun Devils head to the Big 12. This is the first of a two-game road stretch in Arizona for UCLA, with the Bruins then taking on Arizona this Saturday.
Ahead of the game, Arizona State coach Bobby Hurley reflected on the rivalry between the Pac-12 schools, and why the Sun Devils cannot look past the Bruins for this game.
"I've said it before UCLA is one of the most storied programs in college basketball," Hurley told reporters. "This being the last time, we want to go there and empty the tank against an opponent of that caliber. There are standards in that program regardless if they've had a tough stretch beginning of this season. You can see really a different team in their last game, so that's a dangerous team that's coming here and we have to be fully prepared."
via CBS Sports
UCLA defeated the Sun Devils both times the two teams played last season, but Arizona State has a much better chance at getting a win this time around. The Sun Devils are ranked No. 2 in the Pac-12 with a 4-1 conference record and 10-6 overall while the Bruins are No. 10 in the conference with a 2-4 conference record and 7-10 overall.
Aside from their records, Arizona State is playing a lot more consistently this season while UCLA has struggled. Still, it's smart for Hurley to make sure his team does not take this matchup for granted. Not only is UCLA coming off of a surprise win versus Washington, they are still coached by Mike Cronin, the same coach who just led the Bruins to three straight Sweet 16 runs.
More must-reads: