Best Bet-early game

[mickey]

Arizona State Sun Devils (24-9) vs. Temple Owls (22-11)


Arizona State nearly came up big in the Pac-10 Tournament dropping the Championship game by only 3 points to the USC Trojans. Both teams are led by stellar guards that can change the entire complexion of the game on any given night.
Temple will head into the game as the slight underdogs with a balanced team who can play well on both ends of the court. The Owls are led by the play of senior guard Dionte Christmas.Christmas has averaged 19 points per game on the season and will go face to face with the Arizona State standout guard James Harden. The Owls have faired well on the boards this season and have also held opponents to shoot a low 40% from the field. Temple will try to confuse the Sun Devils with some different defensive looks and look for Christmas and others to earn the Owls first NCAA Tournament win in nearly 10 years.

The Sun Devils sophomore guard James Harden has been the difference maker all season averaging 20.8 points per game. Opposed to the scorers for Arizona State, their defense could actually be the biggest difference in the game. Arizona State sports one of the top 25 scoring defenses in the country holding teams to only 60 points per game. Add to the fact that Temple has struggled at times shooting the ball this season and the Sun Devils could match up well in this opening round game.

Also, Arizona State’s James Pendergraph and Temple’s Lavoy Allen will have their own interesting battle inside the paint that should be fun to watch as well which could determine the team that gets the most second chance opportunities.


Wiz's recommend:Arizona St-5

[Keith]

nice to see you on the Sun Devils as well Mick.

[SSHudder]

Like Arizona St. to win this one but concerned about laying that many points against a fiesty Temple team. Good luck Mickey ... hope you cash in.