In-state rivals Arizona and Arizona State have battled to a 3-3 record against each other over their last six meetings, but as first-year Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd gets his first look at the series, the No. 3 Wildcats appear to have a chance to assert their dominance once again. The two programs are trending hard in opposite directions, and while anything can happen in a rivalry game, it would truly be a stunner if the Sun Devils can keep pace with Arizona.
The Wildcats (16-2, 6-1 Pac-12) rank third nationally in scoring at 87.1 points per game, and their only losses this season have come on the road against ranked foes Tennessee, and on Tuesday, against No. 7 UCLA. That 75-59 loss to the Bruins should provide plenty of motivation for an Arizona team that suffered through its worst offensive performance of the season while in the national spotlight.
Arizona State (6-11, 2-5) is headed for a second straight losing season after three straight 20-win campaigns under seventh-year coach Bobby Hurley. The Sun Devils rank among the nation's worst 3-point shooting teams at just 27.7% and have failed to reach 60 points six times this season.
How to watch Arizona vs. Arizona State live
Date: Saturday, Jan. 29 | Time: 2:30 p.m. ET
Location: McKale Center -- Tucson, Arizona
TV: CBS | Live stream: CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App
Arizona vs. Arizona State prediction, picks
Arizona's second-leading scorer Azuolas Tubelis was limited in the Wildcats' 75-59 loss at No. 7 UCLA on Tuesday. He should be a closer to 100% for this game, and the Wildcats should have no problem handling a woeful Arizona State team at home. Arizona is beating opponents by an average of 31.4 points per game at home this season and hasn't won a game at home by less than 16 points. Prediction: Arizona 90, Arizona State 62
Who wins every college basketball game? And which teams could sink your bankroll? Visit SportsLine now to see how to pick every college basketball game, all from the model that simulates every game 10,000 times and has generated over $2,000 in profit the last four-plus years.
