Opinion
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Can Arizona State Sun Devils Outshine Washington Huskies at Desert Financial Arena?

As the Arizona State Sun Devils gear up to host the Washington Huskies at Desert Financial Arena, fans are eager to see if their team can maintain their momentum and secure another victory. The upcoming clash scheduled for February 22 is poised to be a spectacle of skill and strategy, with both teams looking to assert dominance in this highly anticipated matchup.


Jan 26, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils guard Devan Cambridge (35) blocks a dunk attempt by Washington Huskies forward Keion Brooks (1) during the first half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

The Sun Devils have been showing a mix of performances lately. In their recent game against Utah Utes on February 11, they emerged victorious with an impressive scoreline of 85-77. Their offense was firing on all cylinders as they shot 46 percent from the field and an exceptional 42 percent from beyond the arc. Dominating points in the paint with 40 and capitalizing on turnovers by scoring 21 points off them were key factors in their win.


However, consistency has been a concern for ASU as evidenced by their performance against Colorado Buffaloes just two days prior on February 9. Despite putting up a good fight, they fell short with a final score of 70-82. Their shooting percentages took a dip across the board; field goal percentage dropped slightly to 44 percent while three-point shooting fell to just 32 percent.


Jan 26, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils guard Austin Nunez (2) shoots a fast break layup against the Washington Huskies during the second half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

A closer look at ASU's statistics reveals some areas that could use improvement before facing WASH. One glaring issue is free throw accuracy; during their last home game against California Golden Bears on February 3, ASU only managed to hit a meager 57 percent from the line – well below what's expected at this level of competition.


On defense, ASU has shown tenacity but will need more than just effort against WASH's dynamic offense. Steals have been plentiful for ASU; they racked up eight both against CAL and UTAH which helped them control the pace and create fast-break opportunities.


Jan 26, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies guard Noah Williams (24) shoots against Arizona State Sun Devils guard Devan Cambridge (35) during the second half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

The Washington Huskies are not opponents that can be taken lightly either. They bring forth challenges that will test every aspect of ASU’s gameplay – from offensive execution to defensive resilience.


Fans should expect an intense battle where every possession counts and where second-chance points could very well decide the outcome of this encounter between these two formidable adversaries.


As we count down towards tip-off time at Desert Financial Arena on February 22nd at precisely seven o'clock in the evening Mountain Time Zone (MT), fans should mark their calendars for what promises to be an enthralling display of collegiate basketball prowess broadcasted nationally on ESPN2 channel number two hundred nine (209). This is not just another game; it’s an opportunity for Arizona State Sun Devils to prove that they're not merely participants but contenders ready for any challenge thrown their way.

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