The Arizona Wildcats and Arizona State Sun Devils will meet in college basketball action on Saturday afternoon. These in-state rivals are having very different seasons, with Arizona undefeated and ranked number one in the country, while Arizona State is having a mediocre season so far. Before this rivalry game begins in the Big 12, continue reading for my Arizona vs Arizona State prediction on the basketball court.
Our Arizona vs Arizona State Pick
Pick: Arizona -14.5 ATS PRO
Confidence: 4/5
Game Snapshot
Matchup: Arizona Wildcats @ Arizona State Sun Devils
Date & Time: Saturday, January 31, 2026, 2:00 PM ET
Venue: Desert Financial Arena, Tempe, Arizona
Broadcast: TNT
Key Storylines
Arizona’s balance remains elite. They are averaging 89.6 PPG on 52% shooting with 43.2 rebounds per game. Their rebounding should give them the advantage against an ASU group that is allowing opponents too many second chances.
Koa Peat and Tobe Awaka dominated the interior in the January 14 Tucson meeting between these teams that Arizona won 89-82. Their screen-and-roll force and put-backs tilted that contest in Arizona's favor late. We have seen Arizona State struggle against elite competition previously this year and the Sun Devils will need to step up on the glass to change that here.
Arizona State’s backcourt can score in bunches with Maurice Odum driving the pace and using his passing to find good looks for teammates. But their late-game offense has wobbled with scoring droughts and rushed possessions plaguing ASU at times.
Recent form: Arizona beat BYU 86-83 on Monday after leading by 19, then closing with clutch free throws and holding off AJ Dybantsa and company. ASU fell 79-76 at UCF in their las tgame after leading by 11 inside six minutes to play.
Arizona is still undefeated this season and a win here would guarantee that they remain the number-one team in the country going into the next release of the college basketball rankings.
Head-to-Head & Betting Trends
Arizona is 164-87 all-time against Arizona State.
Arizona has won six straight games over Arizona State, including their first matchup this season.
Arizona is 13-7-1 against the spread going into this matchup.
The Sun Devils are 12-8-1 against the spread this season.
Arizona State has gone over the total in 13 of their 21 games this year.
The over is 12-9 in Arizona games entering Saturday afternoon.
Arizona vs Arizona State Model Projection
Score Projection: Arizona 86 – Arizona State 71
Win Probability: Arizona 86%, Arizona State 14%
Final Thoughts
I'm going to lay the points with the Arizona Wildcats in this contest. We saw Arizona State get run over in the second half by Gonzaga at home earlier in the season. Against an Arizona team that is even better than that, I expect more struggles for ASU on their home floor here. Expect Arizona to stay undefeated and complete a regular-season sweep of Arizona State in convincing fashion.
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