NCAA Rivalry Week 2014: Arizona vs Arizona State LIVE Radio Broadcast: Sun Devils Looking for Payback Against Wildcats
ByThe Arizona State Sun Devils will look to exact their revenge on in-state rival Arizona Wildcats (2) as they try to climb the Pac-12 standings.
Arizona suffered its first loss of the season to Cal on Feb. 1 and earlier handed Arizona State a 91-68 loss. With Brandon Ashley out for the season with an injury and since suffering the loss, Arizona may be seen by their rivals as more vulnerable than the last time they played.
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Ashley suffered his injury early in the loss to Cal, so Arizona was forced to rework its lineup on the spot. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, a freshman, replaced Ashley in the starting five by averaging 15 points and 15 rebounds a game in the team's last two contests.
Arizona coach Sean Miller said losing Ashley hurts, but he understands the season is about contributions from an entire team.
"We're not going to be able to replace Brandon," Miller told reporters, according to ESPN. "We're going to have to do it as a team and there are things that we have to try to emphasize more now that he's not a part of what we're doing and maybe emphasize some things less. We're working through that as a coaching staff and a team."
Arizona State is 13-1 at home this year, but 1-2 against ranked opponents. With an upset Friday night, Arizona State would most likely have an unranked schedule ahead of them to close out the season.
The Sun Devils have won five of six since losing to Arizona and senior center Jordan Bachynski has had a lot to do with their success. Over his last two games, he has scored a total of 43 points and pulled down 24 rebounds, en route Pac-12 player of the week honors.
"You can't say enough about the weekend Jordan Bachynski had," coach Herb Sendek said. "He was spectacular again (against Oregon). He was almost perfect from the field, almost perfect from the foul line, nine blocked shots, nine rebounds, including the game-winning play."