We didn't go by the Wells Fargo Arena last night for Arizona State's 66-57 loss to UCLA, but we know a few diehards who tells us that the announced attendance of 5,477 was exaggerated by a whole lot.
The game itself was a microcosm of ASU's lost season--a nice effort by a sadly outmanned bunch that was done in by turnovers (18 this time), lack of a bonafide inside game and no one to turn to on the bench.
Head coach Herb Sendek's squad lost its 20th game of the season, and its fourth in a row with just two Pac-12 Conference games remaining, including a regular-season ender in Tempe next weekend against the Arizona Wildcats.
We wouldn't be surprised if the Devils don't win another one during this sorry season, but the Pac-12 is weak enough this `go-around that almost anything could happen. Key word there--almost.
The Wildcats overcame yet another sluggish start to take out USC 70-54 in Tucson to win its sixth game in the last seven. Arizona has cobbled together 20 wins this season, but only one over a Top 50 team, which does not bode well for a berth in the upcoming NCAA national tournament unless they win at least three or four more games.
The Cats are not deep, and not big, but they are well-coached and have tested veteran players (Solomon Hill, Kyle Fogg, Jesse Perry) who have been through some real basketball wars. If they do get into the Dance, one win would make for a successful season, two wins would be fairly remarkable.
But we're getting ahead of ourselves.
ASU plays last-place USC on Saturday at 6 p.m. at Wells Fargo Arena. The game will be aired on Channel 34 and on KTAR 620 AM.
Also on Saturday down in Tucson, the Wildcats play the so-so UCLA Bruins at noon. That one will be aired nationally on Channel 5 (CBS). Arizona needs that one badly.
