Arizona-Arizona State: College Basketball Feb. 22, 2009 Against the Spread

Arizona (18 – 8) at Arizona State (20 – 5)
Game Time: 10:00 PM ET
Game Line: ASU - 7.5

The Wildcats are glad to get out of Tucson and get a taste of the real life up in Tempe, Arizona. U of A will be welcomed with plenty of hostility for the biggest rivalry of the PAC 10, and the second dual of the desert this year.

ASU was clearly a better team the first time these two met in Tucson, and ASU has only gotten better since.

I am going to be straight with everyone on this pick. You will not hear one analyst take ASU to cover this spread.

The Wildcats have won their last seven games in excitable fashion, and look like they are back to old form. They have been perfect against the spread during their winning streak as well. The question is are they worthy of the hype?

The Wildcats have Chase Budinger, a prolific athlete who can score from anywhere on the floor. They have Nic Wise, who has improved his play tremendously and is distributing the ball with a high assist to turnover ratio.

They even have Jordan Hill, a monster in the post that is averaging a double-double and is leading the PAC 10 in blocked shots.

The question is, is there anyone else on this team that can contribute?

The answer is no!

Over the seven game winning streak, the star “three” have contributed over 90 percent of the teams total points. In all seven wins, at least one of these players has scored 20+ points in a game.

ASU is deep and talented. They will wear down Arizona with their deep bench, just like they did the first time these two met.

ASU plays a tremendous zone defense, and they match up with Arizona as well as anyone. The first time these two played was on Arizona’s home court, and ASU beat them 53 – 47 in a very hostile environment.

That game was also Arizona’s last loss since the seven game winning streak.

For the Sundevils, they get the luxury of playing Arizona on their home court this time around. The Sundevils have been amazing on at home this year.

In ASU’s last game, they were a seven point favorite against USC, and no analyst expected ASU to cover verse a team like the Trojans, who were in a must-win situation. ASU ending up beating a talented USC team by 12, and the Trojans put everything on the line.

ASU has matured over the season into a balanced, and brilliant team. Much of the credit can go to head coach Herb Sendek. Sendek has brought a high basketball IQ to the Devils.

He has taught James Harden, arguably the nations best player to be smart, and to play under control. He has developed ASU’s young guards into playing extremely smart, and hard - nosed on defense.

Sendek has brought a defense—first mentality that ASU plays with for 40 minutes.

I expect ASU to come out and cover a 7.5 point spread and stick it to the Wildcats, ending their winning streak. ASU is a much better team and is nearly unbeatable at home. They have won and covered against the spread in their last four games.

The Pick: ASU - 7.5