Can Arizona State Sun Devils Upset California Golden Bears at Haas Pavilion?

As the Arizona State Sun Devils prepare to face off against the California Golden Bears at Haas Pavilion, fans are eager to see if their team can turn the tide after a series of challenging games. The upcoming clash on February 23rd is more than just another game; it's an opportunity for ASU to prove their resilience and capability.

In their last outing on February 11th against UCLA Bruins, ASU struggled with shooting accuracy, managing only a 27 percent field goal percentage and a meager 20 percent from beyond the arc. Despite putting up a fight in the paint with 24 points, they were outperformed by UCLA's dominant 46 points in that area. The final score of 45-78 reflected ASU's difficulties in both offense and defense.

However, it wasn't all doom and gloom for ASU. Their free throw performance was commendable at a solid 73 percent conversion rate, which could be crucial in close-quarter battles against CAL. Additionally, they managed to secure nine second-chance points and showed some defensive prowess with seven steals.

Comparing this performance with their game on February 10th against USC Trojans reveals some consistency issues for ASU. They improved slightly in field goal percentage (41 percent) but still fell short as USC capitalized on fast break opportunities scoring an impressive 13 points compared to ASU’s two.

The Sun Devils' most balanced performance came earlier on February 4th when they faced Arizona Wildcats. Although defeated with a score of 52-63, they showed better control over turnovers and an improved assists turnover ratio of nearly one (0.85). This indicates that when focused, ASU can maintain possession and create scoring opportunities effectively.

Looking ahead to the confrontation with CAL at Berkeley’s Haas Pavilion presents both challenges and opportunities for ASU. To succeed, they must leverage their free throw accuracy while improving field goal percentages significantly – especially from long range where they have been notably weak.

Defensively speaking, increasing pressure on CAL’s shooters will be key; forcing turnovers could ignite fast-break chances for easy baskets – an area where improvement is needed based on past performances.

The Sun Devils must also focus on rebounding aggressively both offensively and defensively to limit CAL's second-chance points while creating additional scoring opportunities for themselves through hustle plays that can shift momentum in tight situations.

Fans should expect an intense battle as these two teams collide; however, if recent trends are any indication – particularly concerning shooting efficiency – it will require a significant step-up from Arizona State Sun Devils players to secure victory away from home soil.

Supporters looking forward to this pivotal matchup should mark their calendars: tip-off is scheduled for February 23rd at precisely eight o'clock PM local time (Pacific Standard Time) at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley CA zip code:94720 . The game will be available for viewing pleasure through various broadcast channels - ensuring fans won’t miss any action-packed moments as these collegiate athletes take center stage.