Davidson/ASU preview from SportsNetwork

Davidson (10-3) at Arizona State (6-4)

DATE & TIME: Friday, December 22nd, 4:00 p.m. (et).

FACTS & STATS: Site: Wells-Fargo Arena (14,141) -- Tempe, Arizona. Television: None. Home Record: Davidson 5-0, ASU 6-2. Away Record: Davidson 2-3, ASU 0-2. Neutral Record: Davidson 3-0, ASU 0-0. Conference Record: Davidson 3-0, ASU 0-0. Series Record: First-ever meeting.

GAME NOTES: The ASU Sleep America Classic championship is on the line today, as the Davidson Wildcats tangle with the host Arizona State Sun Devils from Wells-Fargo Arena in Tempe. The Wildcats earned their spot in today's game by defeating Ohio University, 83-74, on Thursday night. It was the sixth straight win by Davidson, which improved to 10-3 overall and a perfect 3-0 in neutral- site affairs. As for Arizona State, it opened its own tournament last night as well, posting a 71-66 triumph over North Carolina A&T. The win was the Sun Devils' second in a row, as they improved to 6-4 overall and 6-2 at home. The ASU holiday tournament is in its 40th year, and the Sun Devils have won 29 of the past 39 events, including 13 of the last 17. Today's game marks the first- ever meeting between these two schools on the hardwood.

The Wildcats did their damage from behind the arc last night, as they knocked down 14-of-35 three-point attempts en route to a nine-point victory. The team also converted 15-of-16 free-throw attempts, in addition to winning the battle on the boards, 52-41. Stephen Curry led the charge with 19 points, while Jason Richards had 18 points and eight assists. Boris Meno even got into the mix, as he notched a double-double with 17 points and 16 rebounds. On the year, Curry heads the squad in scoring at 20.1 ppg, and he is also shooting 41.8 percent from three-point range. Thomas Sander is next in order with 14.8 ppg, while Richards adds 11.7 ppg to go along with a team-best 8.3 apg. As a team, Davidson is averaging a healthy 83.3 ppg, in addition to outrebounding its opponents by 10.0 rpg.

The Sun Devils did it with defense last night, as they held North Carolina A&T to a dismal 34.5 percent shooting effort from the floor in their five-point win. ASU, itself, knocked down 41.1 percent of its field goal attempts, while dominating the boards 50-32. Antwi Atuahene headed the charge, as he notched a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds in the victory. Christian Polk, who leads the team in scoring (14.6 ppg) on the season, was held to just eight points on 3-of-10 shooting from the floor. Jeff Pendergraph contributes 11.1 ppg and a team-best 9.3 rpg for ASU on the season, while Serge Angounou adds 10.2 ppg and a solid 8.0 rpg. Overall, the Sun Devils are turning in 64.8 ppg while holding their opponents to a just 60.9 ppg.

Davidson has been playing with a great deal of confidence of late, and although the team is on the road, its ability to score points and dominate the boards is why it should come out on top today.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome:
Davidson 77, Arizona State 70