[desertrat]

As always...it's a huge game just due to the rivalry. For the first time in many years, Arizona State is the better team and Arizona will be playing at home desperately needing this win against their rival, who also happens to be ranked 16th nationally and coming fresh off a 61-58 OT win at #11 UCLA. Arizona is on the brink of falling off the NCAA tourney radar if they lose to ASU, a loss that would leave them 2-5 in conference without much hope of competing for an NCAA bid. Arizona has the longest active streak of NCAA appearances at 24 and they are just 2 short of tying the record set by North Carolina under Dean Smith.