Can Arizona State Sun Devils Bounce Back at McKale Center?

As the Arizona State Sun Devils prepare to face off against their rivals, the Arizona Wildcats, at the McKale Center in Tucson, fans are left wondering if ASU can turn their fortunes around after a string of challenging games. The upcoming clash on February 18 is more than just a game; it's an opportunity for redemption.

The Sun Devils' recent performance has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows. On December 21, they faced Northwestern Wildcats in Phoenix and were outscored 65-46. Despite showing promise with six steals and eight fast break points, ASU struggled with shooting efficiency from both the field (31 percent) and beyond the arc (17 percent). Their assist-to-turnover ratio was less than ideal at 0.9.

A few days earlier on December 17, ASU took on TCU Horned Frogs in Fort Worth but fell short with a final score of 59-79. The team's defensive efforts resulted in seven steals and six blocks; however, turnovers were once again an issue as they gave up possession nineteen times which led to eleven points off turnovers for TCU.

However, there is a glimmer of hope from their performance against San Diego Toreros on December 10 where ASU scored an impressive 84 points. Their aggressive play led to thirteen steals and five blocks while maintaining a solid field goal percentage of 48 percent. This game showcased what ASU is capable of when they find their rhythm.

The upcoming game against ARIZ will be no walk in the park. The Wildcats have shown they can maintain possession under pressure and capitalize on scoring opportunities inside the paint – areas where ASU has faltered recently.

For ASU to succeed at McKale Center, they must tighten up defensively without fouling excessively and improve ball security to reduce costly turnovers that have plagued them in past games. They'll need to channel their performance from San Diego if they want any chance of overcoming ARIZ's home-court advantage.

Fans eager to see if Arizona State can rise above recent setbacks should mark their calendars for February 18th at 7:30 PM MST when these two teams collide at McKale Center. The game will be broadcasted live on Pac-12 Network – don't miss what promises to be an intense battle between these fierce rivals!