Arizona State steps back into the national spotlight Tuesday night when No. 5 Houston visits Desert Financial Arena in a game that will be televised by ESPN2.
Despite their struggles this season, the Sun Devils (12-13 overall, 3-11 Big 12) have been competitive when featured on national television, most recently taking No. 9 Texas Tech to double overtime before falling 111-106.
ASU is 5-8 in nationally televised games, though the last win came Jan. 21 at then-No. 23 West Virginia on CBS Sports Network.
Remaining competitive against the Cougars would be a victory for the Sun Devils, regardless of how it impacts the Big 12 standings. On paper, the matchup looks to be lopsided:
- Houston has won 17 of its past 18 games, while ASU has lost a season-long five in a row and eight of 10.
- The Cougars have won 11 consecutive road games — the longest such streak in the nation — while the Sun Devils have struggled at home, going 1-6 in Big 12 play at Desert Financial Arena.
- Houston boasts the nation's top defense, limiting opponents to 57.3 points per game, while ASU gives up 74.2 ppg.
- The Cougars lead the Big 12 in turnover margin (5.24), while the Sun Devils rank 15th (-1.32).
L.J. Cryer, a grad student guard, is the Cougars' leading scorer, averaging 14.3 points per game and shooting a Big 12-best 40.8% from 3-point range,
Emmanuel Sharp adds 11.8 points per game, J'Wan Roberts averages 11.6 points and rebounds, and Milos Uzan contributes 10.4 points and 4.9 assists per game
Arizona State likely will be without the services of freshman phenom Jayden Quaintance, who suffered an ankle sprain just nine minutes into the Sun Devils' 73-86 loss at Oklahoma State on Feb. 9.
Quaintance, who leads the Big 12 in blocks (2.8) and ranks fourth in rebounds (8.2) per game, did not play in the Sun Devils' losses to TCU (74-70) and Texas Tech (111-106 2OT) last week.
ASU head coach Bobby Hurley told Arizona Sports' "Bickley & Marotta" on Tuesday that Quaintance has been "super focused" on his rehab and is "really close" to returning.
Senior swingman BJ Freeman leads the Sun Devils' balanced scoring attack at 13.5 points per game. Freeman's availability against Houston is in question as he missed practice Monday due to an illness, Hurley said.
Senior guard Alston Mason (12.4), senior forward Basheer Jihad (12.1), freshman guard Joson Sanon (11) and senior guard Adam Miller (10.5) also are scoring in double figures for ASU.
How to watch Arizona State vs. Houston
The Sun Devils and Cougars tip off at 7 p.m. MST on ESPN2, with John Schriffen (play-by-play) and King McClure (analyst) calling the action.
Fubo TV subscribers can watch ASU and other college basketball games here.
Betting information
Arizona State enters the game at Desert Financial Arena as a 12.5-point underdog, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
The Sun Devils are +580 on the moneyline, while the Cougars are -880.
The over/under for the game is 134.5.