Preview: Colorado Faces Arizona State in Big 12 Clash

TEMPE, Ariz. (Interstat) — Two teams looking to rebound from tough home losses will meet Saturday when the Colorado Buffaloes visit the Arizona State Sun Devils in a Big 12 conference matchup at Wells Fargo Arena.

The Buffaloes (10-3, 0-0 Big 12) enter conference play reeling from an 86-81 home loss to Northern Colorado on Dec. 28, which snapped a two-game winning streak. Colorado, which has lost three of its last five, will lean on guard Isaiah Johnson. He is averaging 16.4 points over his last five games, including a 25-point, 8-rebound effort in the recent defeat.

Arizona State (9-4, 0-0) also seeks to regain momentum after a 78-75 home loss to Oregon State on Dec. 21. The Sun Devils have dropped two straight following a three-game win streak. Their fortunes hinge on versatile guard Maurice Odum, who nearly posted a triple-double with 17 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists against the Beavers.

The game marks the conference opener for both programs in the restructured Big 12. Colorado’s offense, averaging 82.2 points per game, will test an Arizona State defense that has held opponents to 75.2 points on average. The Sun Devils’ offense has shown potency, however, scoring 86 points in a win over Oklahoma earlier this month.

Colorado holds a slight edge in the all-time series, but the teams have not met since the 2023 Pac-12 tournament. This begins a home-and-home set, with the rematch scheduled for Feb. 7 in Boulder.

Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. MST Saturday. The Buffaloes continue their road trip at Utah on Jan. 7, while the Sun Devils travel to face BYU the same day.