UA News

Saturday's matchup in Tempe finds the Wildcats looking to improve its position in the Pac-10 standings.

A third of the way into the Pac-10 schedule, this week's matchup between Arizona and Arizona State on Saturday has the potential to set the tone for the remainder of the season.

The Wildcats (9-9, 3-3) are closing a three-game road trip in Tempe and trying to put two consecutive conference victories together under first-year coach Sean Miller.

This is the 217th meeting between the two schools. The game is now part of the State Farm Territorial Cup Series. 

The last five outings at Wells Fargo Arena have been decided by less than six points with the Cats winning three of the five there. ASU has won the last five meetings.

The still-young-and-developing UA wins more often than not when the offense clicks and they've averaged about 75 points in each of their last five games. The Cats have one of the toughest schedules this year and Miller has juggled his lineup frequently looking for the right chemistry.

On the other side of the point scoring spectrum, the Sun Devils (14-5, 4-2) are in first place in the Pac, owing largely to a lock-down defense that allows opponents less than 55 points per game, currently the nation's best.

One key matchup will be at center. UA freshman Derrick Williams posted his first double-double against Oregon last weekend, and Williams and senior Nic Wise both average 15.3 points per game.

Jamelle Horne and Kyle Fogg are also averaging more than 10 points per game. Williams leads the UA in rebounding with more than 7 boards per game.

He will likely be pitted against senior Eric Boateng, who is having his best year at ASU, averaging more than 7 points and 6 boards per game. Three Sun Devils – Rihards Kuksicks, Derrick Glasser and Ty Abbott – are scoring in double figures.

Following this weekend, the UA will be at home at McKale Center for five of its next seven games.