Preview: Kansas State Wildcats at Arizona State Sun Devils

TEMPE, Ariz. (Interstat) — Two teams looking to halt losing streaks and gain traction in the Big 12 will meet Saturday when the Kansas State Wildcats visit the Arizona State Sun Devils at Wells Fargo Arena.

Both teams enter with identical 9-6 overall records and are coming off double-digit road losses Wednesday. Kansas State fell 101-76 at Arizona, while Arizona State was defeated 104-76 at BYU.

The matchup features two of the conference’s top individual performers in dynamic guard PJ Haggerty of Kansas State and Arizona State’s imposing forward Massamba Diop.

Haggerty has been a consistent offensive force for the Wildcats, averaging over 20 points per game in his last four contests. He is coming off a 19-point, 7-assist performance against Arizona. Diop provides a major interior presence for the Sun Devils, averaging 18.6 points over his last five games. He recorded a remarkable 7-block performance in a loss to Colorado on Jan. 3.

Kansas State’s recent results have been uneven, mixing high-scoring wins over Louisiana-Monroe and South Dakota with conference losses to BYU and Arizona. The Wildcats will need to improve a defense that allowed 101 points in their last outing.

Arizona State has lost four straight, all against conference opponents, since a Dec. 13 win at Santa Clara. The Sun Devils’ defense, which allowed 104 points to BYU, will be tested by Haggerty and a Kansas State team capable of explosive scoring.

Saturday’s game is a critical opportunity for either squad to steady itself early in the conference schedule. Kansas State continues a tough road swing before hosting UCF on Jan. 14. Arizona State faces a quick turnaround, visiting rival Arizona next Wednesday.

Tip-off is set for Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Tempe.