Arizona State basketball predictions against Arizona

Arizona State basketball welcomes Arizona to Tempe on Wednesday at 8 p.m. for the second matchup between the rivals this season. This will be ASU’s final home game of the season and the second straight opponent ASU will face that is ranked inside the top 25. The game will be televised on Pac-12 Networks or can be listened to on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM or Sirius XM 373 radio.

Arizona currently sits atop the Pac-12 standings, with the help of ASU knocking off Washington State Saturday night. A win for the Wildcats would give them a full-game advantage over the Cougars. For the Sun Devils, Wednesday night is a chance to win back-to-back games against top 25 opponents and avenge their horrid loss earlier this season.

The first matchup between ASU and Arizona was a complete blowout. The Wildcats defended the McKale Center with a 45-point win. So, there is motivation ahead of this matchup, to say the least.

Many ASU players leading up to this game have said no matter the way this season has gone, this is the game you come to ASU to play in, and they plan on defending their home court.

Arizona has dominated the rivalry winning 36 of the 50 matchups and seven of the last eight. However, ASU looked as good as it has all season in its last game against Washington State. ASU will need to match that effort if it wants to defend Desert Financial Arena on Wednesday night.

Without further ado, here are our Sun Devil Daily staff predictions for Arizona State basketball against Arizona.

Arizona State basketball predictions against Arizona

ASU: 74 Arizona: 90

Being at home, ASU will have DFA backing them up. But again, this is U of A, one of the best teams in the nation, that has already beaten ASU earlier this season. ASU though should be able to keep it closer this time than last. – Truitt Robinson (9-9)

ASU: 78 Arizona: 89

DFA should be rocking as the Sun Devils look to avenge their loss in Tucson. Arizona has a very strong offense but has looked shaky at times on the road. ASU needs to play a nearly perfect game if they want to have a chance and they need all the support they can get from the crowd. – Anthony D’Amato (9-15)

ASU: 76 Arizona: 100

Despite ASU being at home they are playing a red-hot UA team. Last time these two met it was not even close. While ASU is probably somewhat motivated from that game and also the game against WSU; it will not be enough. – Cooper Burns (12-10)

ASU: 71 Arizona: 79

ASU is coming off its biggest win of the season and has plenty of motivation ahead of tonight’s game. However, Arizona is just too good and has too much size inside. I think ASU comes out fired up and keeps the game close, but down the stretch Arizona pulls away. – Douglas Santo (12-12)