GAME NOTES: Instate rivals square off at the McKale Center today, as the Arizona State Devils duel with the Arizona Wildcats in Pac-10 action in Tucson. After ripping off 10 straight wins and landing in the top-25, the Sun Devils have completely fallen apart. The team began Pac-10 play a perfect 4-0, but it hasn't won since, dropping each of its past five outings. ASU though, has had plenty of time to regroup and refocus, as it has been out of action since dropping a 67-53 decision at USC on February 2nd. It was the third loss in a row on the road for the Sun Devils, who now sit at 14-7 overall. As for Arizona, it also enters the game well rested, last playing in an 82-60 beating at nationally-ranked UCLA on February 2nd. The loss brought the team's four- game win streak to a close, as it fell to 15-7 overall and 5-4 in conference play. The Wildcats however, now return home, where they posted a 10-2 mark thus far. Arizona leads the all-time series with ASU, 138-74, and it has won 24 of the last 26 encounters, although the Sun Devils knocked off Arizona, 64-59, in overtime in the first meeting this season.

The Sun Devils are scoring 68.3 ppg for the season, but during their current five-game slide, they are averaging a mere 54.4 ppg. James Harden is the squad's leading scorer at 18.7 ppg and he is also a solid defender, registering a team-high 37 steals. Jeff Pendergraph is next in line with 12.9 ppg and he is pulling down a team-best 6.4 rpg and shooting a sizzling 60.0 percent from the floor. Ty Abbott rounds out the double-digit scorers with 10.3 ppg. In the team's last game, Hardin poured in 26 points behind 8-of-9 field goals, but it wasn't enough for ASU in a loss to USC. Pendergraph chipped in with 10 points for the Sun Devils, who committed 17 costly turnovers and allowed USC to shoot 51.1 percent from the field.

The Wildcats have been effective at the offensive end of the court this season, netting 73.6 ppg on 49.3 percent shooting from the floor and 39.9 percent from long range. Freshman sensation Jerryd Bayless paces this attack with 18.9 ppg and he is draining 43.0 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc. Chase Budinger turns in a solid 17.8 ppg and 5.4 rpg and he can also shoot the three, making good on 39.7 percent of his tries. Jordan Hill is the team's top rebounder at 8.0 rpg and he chips in with 12.9 ppg behind a blistering 61.1 percent shooting from the field. In the squad's previous outing, Arizona made just 2-of-9 shots from downtown and only 10-of-17 at the foul line, as it was blown out at UCLA. The Wildcats shot a solid 48.0 percent from the floor, but they allowed UCLA to hit on an even better 57.1 percent from the field. Bayless paced the team in the setback with 13 points and four assists.

ASU is in the midst of a major slump and things aren't going to get any easier today. Despite their most recent showing, the Wildcats have played well of late and they should be able to continue that trend behind the efforts of Bayless and Budinger.