Arizona State vs Colorado: College basketball game preview, TV schedule
By Connor Hope
Arizona State is coming off a tough road loss to in-state rival Arizona. Can the Sun Devils get back on track when they take on the Colorado Buffaloes in Boulder?
TV Schedule: Thursday, Jan. 4, 8:30 p.m. EST, Pac-12 Network
Arena: Coors Events Center, Boulder, Colorado
The No. 4 Arizona State Sun Devils 12-1 (0-1) have been one of the most surprising teams in all of college basketball this season, going undefeated in their non-conference slate. Despite a tough loss in their first conference game to Arizona, Bobby Hurley’s squad is still in a good position to compete for the conference title.
In their loss to the Wildcats, Arizona State’s lack of size and depth up front was exposed by the much larger frontcourt duo of Dusan Ristic and DeAndre Ayton.
The incredible play of Tra Holder, who ranks No. 2 in the latest Busting Brackets Player of the Year Power Rankings, kept the game close. The Sun Devils’ backcourt of Holder, Shannon Evans II, and Kodi Justice has led an offense that ranks No. 5 nationally with 90.7 points per game.
Despite starting Pac-12 play against the preseason favorites to win the conference, Arizona State will begin a very manageable stretch with their game against Colorado.
The Colorado Buffaloes 8-6 (0-2) are coming off a disappointing two-game road trip against Oregon and Oregon State. Their schedule won’t get any easier, as they will begin their toughest month of the season against the Sun Devils.
Led by McKinley Wright IV and George King the Buffaloes lean heavily on their backcourt to lead them to victory. This does not bode well for Colorado, as Arizona State features one of the best backcourts in the country.
Without a frontcourt like Arizona’s to dominate the boards and collapse the defense, Colorado will struggle to compete with the Sun Devils. The best shot Tad Boyle’s squad has to win is to try and run Arizona State’s guards off the line, which is a task that is easier said than done.
Next: Busting Brackets Bracketology
After going 2-6 in the month of December, with a home loss to San Diego, Colorado does not appear to have the firepower or momentum to compete with the Sun Devils. Of course, anything can happen in college basketball, but expect Arizona State to secure their first win in Pac-12 play.
Prediction: Arizona State 91 – Colorado 71