ASU Basketball: 2019 Pac-12 Week 14 Power Rankings
By Trevor Booth
6. Arizona Wildcats (14-8, 5-4 Pac-12) LW: 5
Just two weeks ago, things looked like they were going up for Arizona. Fast forward and that’s no longer the case.
Thursday, the Wildcats fell in overtime to in-state rival Arizona State. The loss extended their losing streak to three games.
For all 40 minutes of regulation, the game was tight. At halftime, the margin was three points in favor of the Sun Devils. In the second half, Arizona outscored the Sun Devils 50-47, sending the game to overtime.
In the extra frame, it was all ASU. The Sun Devils took an early lead in the additional five minutes and never looked back. When the final buzzer sounded, the final score was 95-88.
Despite being on the wrong side of the scoreboard at the end, Arizona’s offense was reliable. The team shot 40 percent from the field and assisted 15 of its 27 field goals.
Individually, Pitt transfer Ryan Luther stood out. The 3-point specialist went 5-of-8 from deep and led the team with 19 points.
Though the offense did its part, the defense was “inept,” according to Sean Miller. The Wildcats allowed ASU to shoot an incredible 55.6 from the field.
This isn’t the first tough outing for the Wildcats on the defensive end – Arizona has allowed 80 points in each of the last three games.
Things don’t get easier to start this week. Arizona hosts Washington – the only Pac-12 team undefeated in league play – at the McKale Center on Thursday. If Arizona wants to keep it close, it will have to see improvement defensively.