There’s nothing worse than a “trap game” on the schedule before a weekend game that means a lot. And as ESPN points out, the Runnin’ Utes have to avoid the curse of the trap game this Thursday.
No.13 Utah is sitting nicely at 21-5, going 11-3 in conference play. But one of those measely five losses came at the hands of Oregon last weekend, and the anticipation of next Saturday’s rematch with No.7 Arizona is already swirling. The last thing Utah can do is get too ahead of themselves and neglect the surging ASU team who is visiting Huntsman Center on Thursday.
The Sun Devils are coming off their third straight win with a late-game push, getting them past USC last weekend 64-59. Since surrendering a 76-59 decision to Utah on January 15, they have gone 7-3.
But the Sun Devils’ recent success isn’t the worst of the Utes problems. ASU has dropped eight straight at Utah since 1975–cue the worry that this could become an utter disaster for the home team.
So what do the Utes do to keep from dropping two games straight? Channeling their first tilt against ASU is probably a good place to start. The Utes shot 53.7 percent in the January 15 win, with Delon Wright tallying 21 points and Jordan Loveridge notching 14 points. (Loveridge also had eight rebounds in that game.) Wright has averaged 21.3 points in three career games against ASU.
Playing a clean game and not allowing Arizona State any opportunities from the free throw line would also be helpful, as the Sun Devils hit 20 of 26 from the charity stripe last weekend against USC.
Trap game? This tilt sounds more like it has potnetial to be a mid-week thriller.
Tip off for Arizona States visit with No.13 Utah is scheduled for 7:30pm Pacific time.
*Section Photo credit to Ethan Miller, Getty Images; Featured Photo (above) credit to Kent Horner, Getty Images
