Arizona Puts Perfect Record on Line at Rival Arizona State

TEMPE, Ariz. (Interstat) — The nation’s top-ranked and only remaining undefeated team faces a hostile road test Saturday when the Arizona Wildcats visit rival Arizona State.

The Wildcats (21-0, 8-0 Big 12), who ascended to the top spot this week, bring a perfect record into Wells Fargo Arena for a 6 p.m. MST tipoff against the Sun Devils (11-10, 3-5). Arizona is one of just three teams in the last 40 years to start 21-0, joining the 2014-15 Kentucky and 2018-19 Gonzaga squads.

Arizona survived its toughest conference test Monday, edging BYU 86-83 on the road behind 29 points from sophomore guard Brayden Burries. The Wildcats’ average margin of victory in Big 12 play is 18.6 points.

Burries, averaging 20.1 points in conference games, is a focal point. He scored 28 points in a win over Kansas State on Jan. 7 and had 22 points and seven assists against West Virginia on Jan. 24.

Arizona State, seeking a season-defining upset, is led by dynamic guard Maurice Odum. He is coming off a 33-point, eight-assist performance in a win over Cincinnati last Saturday and scored 23 against Arizona in the first meeting. The Sun Devils have lost four of their last five, including a 79-76 defeat at UCF on Tuesday.

In the Jan. 14 matchup in Tucson, Arizona won 89-82. The Wildcats have won eight of the last 10 in the series.

Arizona’s dominance is built on both ends, ranking in the top five nationally in offensive efficiency and top 15 in defense. Arizona State, inconsistent offensively, will need a standout performance from Odum and improved defense to challenge the juggernaut.

A Sun Devils victory would be a monumental upset and reshape the Big 12 landscape. A Wildcats win would extend a historic start and solidify their hold on No. 1.

The game will be broadcast on ESPN.