Arizona State Looks to Upset No. 1 Arizona in Rivalry Rematch

Sun Devils aim to avenge earlier loss as Wildcats chase school record for best start

Jan. 30, 2026 at 11:07am

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The No. 1 Arizona Wildcats men's basketball team will travel to face their in-state rival Arizona State Sun Devils, with the Wildcats looking to set a school record for best start to a season. While Arizona is heavily favored, the Sun Devils nearly pulled off an upset in the teams' first meeting earlier this month and will be looking for another strong showing against their ranked opponent.

Why it matters

This rivalry game between the two Arizona schools holds major implications, as the Wildcats chase a historic start to their season while the Sun Devils aim to prove they can compete with one of the top teams in the country. A Sun Devils upset would shake up the national rankings and provide a major boost to their own NCAA Tournament hopes.

The details

In the teams' first meeting on January 14, Arizona won 89-82 but the game was close throughout, with ASU trailing by just three points with 56 seconds remaining. The Sun Devils were led by strong performances from Moe Odum (23 points, 7 assists) and Massamba Diop (16 points, 6 rebounds), while the Wildcats got 24 points from Koa Peat and 15 from Ivan Kharchenkov. One key area to watch will be rebounding, as Arizona ranks 3rd nationally in rebounding margin while ASU ranks near the bottom of Division I.

  • The game will take place at noon MST on January 31 at Desert Financial Arena.
  • The Wildcats are chasing the school record of 21 straight wins to start a season, which they accomplished in 2013-2014.

The players

Koa Peat

Arizona's leading scorer, averaging 14.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.

Moe Odum

Arizona State's top scorer in the teams' first meeting, with 23 points and 7 assists.

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What they’re saying

“We must be ready for their best effort. This is a rivalry game and anything can happen.”

— Tommy Lloyd, Arizona Head Coach (azcentral.com)

“We showed we can compete with them. Now we need to finish the job and get the win.”

— Moe Odum, Arizona State Guard (azcentral.com)

What’s next

If Arizona wins, they will set a new school record for best start to a season. If Arizona State pulls off the upset, it would be a major boost to their NCAA Tournament hopes.

The takeaway

This rivalry matchup between the top-ranked Wildcats and the scrappy Sun Devils has major implications, as Arizona chases history and Arizona State looks to prove it can compete with an elite opponent. The close nature of the teams' first meeting suggests this rematch could come down to the wire.