Can the Sun Devils Outshine the Wildcats at McKale Center?

As the Arizona State Sun Devils prepare to face off against their rivals, the Arizona Wildcats, at McKale Center in Tuscon, fans are buzzing with anticipation. The upcoming clash on February 4th is not just a game; it's a battle for state supremacy that could go down in collegiate sports lore.

The Sun Devils' recent performance has been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride. On December 20th, they secured an impressive victory over Fresno State Bulldogs with an 80-76 scoreline. Their offense was firing on all cylinders as they shot 49 percent from the field and an exceptional 73 percent from the free-throw line. The team's ability to capitalize on turnovers was evident as they scored 18 points off turnovers and maintained a strong assists-turnover ratio of 2.6.

However, this high was followed by a sobering defeat at the hands of these very Wildcats just two days prior on December 18th. In that encounter, ASU struggled to find their rhythm and were outplayed in almost every aspect of the game – scoring only 52 points to Arizona's commanding 91 points. Their shooting percentages took a nosedive with field goals at just 31 percent and three-pointers at a dismal rate of only 21 percent.

The inconsistency continued when ASU faced Grand Canyon Antelopes on December 8th where despite showing resilience in defense with eight steals equaling their opponents', they fell short by seven points ending with a score of 59-66.

What does this mean for ASU as they head into enemy territory? It suggests that while capable of brilliance, consistency remains their Achilles' heel. To emerge victorious against ARIZ, who have shown formidable form this season including stellar shooting accuracy (57 percent field goal percentage against ASU), ASU must tighten up defensively and improve shot selection under pressure.

ASU fans should look for their team to exploit fast break opportunities where they've shown efficiency before – remember those crucial fast break points against Fresno State? Moreover, maintaining composure will be key; avoiding turnovers will allow them more control over game tempo which could disrupt ARIZ’s rhythm.

With stakes high and pride on the line, it’s imperative that ASU brings its A-game to McKale Center come February fourth. Fans eager to witness whether ASU can turn around its fortunes can tune in at precisely seven o'clock PM local time or catch live updates if attending isn't feasible.