Can Wildcats Claw Their Way to Victory at McKale Center?

As the Arizona Wildcats prepare to host their in-state rivals, the Arizona State Sun Devils, at the McKale Center in Tuscon, fans are eager for what promises to be an electrifying encounter. The Wildcats have been on a rollercoaster ride this season with a mix of tight games and dominant performances.

In their recent nail-biter against Florida Atlantic Owls, which went into double overtime, the Wildcats showed resilience but fell short by just one point in a high-scoring affair. Despite this loss, they displayed strong defensive skills with 12 steals and an impressive rebounding effort totaling 52 boards. Their offensive play was marked by an assist-turnover ratio of 1.5 and a commendable free-throw percentage of eighty-five percent.

The game prior saw them secure a comfortable victory over Alabama's Crimson Tide. The Wildcats' aggressive play resulted in twenty-two fast-break points and twenty-six points off turnovers – showcasing their ability to capitalize on their opponents' mistakes. They also maintained consistency from the charity stripe with seventy-three percent free-throw shooting while dominating total rebounds with forty-eight.

However, it wasn't all smooth sailing as they faced defeat against Purdue Boilermakers despite posting solid numbers: eighty-four points scored, fifty-two percent field goal shooting, and an assists-turnover ratio that stood at 1.85.

The upcoming game is set to test whether the Wildcats can maintain their offensive prowess while tightening up defensively when it matters most. With home-court advantage at McKale Center – where crowd support can be pivotal – there's every chance for them to bounce back strongly against the Sun Devils.

Fans should mark their calendars for February 18th at 2:30 AM UTC when these two teams clash head-on. The game will be broadcasted live on Pac-12 Network for those who cannot make it to Tuscon but still want to catch all the action from wherever they are.