Duel in the Desert Preview: Arizona State at Arizona
Jan 16, 2014, 4:15 PM | Updated: 4:15 pm
The next chapter of the Duel in the Desert rivalry is upon us, and this time it’ll take place on the basketball court.
Arizona State travels to Tucson to take on the No. 1 Arizona Wildcats Thursday at 7 p.m. in Tucson, but both teams have a different look from the ones that saw UA sweep last year’s season series.
The Wildcats have added standout freshmen Aaron Gordon and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, as well as a true point guard in T.J. McConnell, while ASU is enjoying the addition of transfers Jermaine Marshall and Shaquielle McKissic to play alongside standout guard Jahii Carson.
Arizona owns a 49-22 edge since the 1979-80 season, and the Wildcats (17-0, 4-0 Pac-12) — off to the best start in school history and the No. 1 ranked team for six weeks and counting — have the clear advantage in the game.
Still, the revamped Sun Devils (13-4, 2-2) are far from a pushover. Here’s a look at the keys to the game for both sides:
