Kansas State and Arizona State collide today in a high-stakes Big 12 matchup where desperation meets opportunity. Both teams enter 0-2 in conference play, making this a must-win battle for NCAA tournament hopes.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Game Time: Saturday, January 10 at 1:00 PM MST at Desert Financial Arena in Tempe
- Records: Both teams 9-6 overall, 0-2 in Big 12 play, fighting for first conference victory
- Recent Form: KSU lost to #1 Arizona 101-76, ASU routed by #9 BYU 104-76 on Wednesday
- Broadcast: Peacock and NBC Sports Network bringing live coverage nationwide
The Desperation Factor
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This game represents a crossroads moment for both programs. Kansas State’s 0-2 Big 12 start mirrors Arizona State’s identical conference record, creating a scenario where one team will secure their first conference victory while the other sinks deeper into an early-season hole.
Arizona State faces particular urgency, sitting in the midst of a four game losing streak. The Sun Devils have upcoming road games against Arizona and defending national runner-up Houston, making today essentially their last realistic chance for a quick conference win. Kansas State has dropped two straight, including a brutal 25-point beatdown at home to the nation’s top-ranked Wildcats.
PJ Haggerty Leads Wildcat Attack
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Kansas State’s offensive firepower relies heavily on senior guard PJ Haggerty, the nation’s 7th leading scorer at 22.7 points per game. The former TCU, Tulsa, and Memphis star shoots an efficient 50.2 percent from the field, making him arguably the most potent individual scoring threat in this matchup.
Against #1 Arizona, Haggerty contributed 19 points in what became a lopsided affair. Kansas State struggled tremendously from beyond the arc, shooting just 22.2 percent from three-point range and managing only 33.8 percent overall. The Wildcats were outscored 56-36 in the paint, revealing a critical vulnerability heading into today.
Matchup Preview and Statistical Comparison
| Factor | Kansas State | Arizona State |
| Record (Overall/Conf) | 9-6, 0-2 | 9-6, 0-2 |
| Leading Scorer | PJ Haggerty (22.7 PPG) | Anthony Johnson (24 PPG) |
| Recent Form | Lost to #1 Arizona 101-76 | Lost to #9 BYU 104-76 |
| Interior Strength | Vulnerable in paint | Massamba Diop (7-1 center) |
Arizona State’s Interior Advantage
Massamba Diop, the 7-foot-1 center, could prove pivotal for Arizona State today. Diop recorded 22 points and 9 rebounds against BYU, exploiting a weakness that Kansas State clearly exposed against Arizona. Kansas State’s shorter roster struggles defending inside, having been outscored 56-36 in the paint by the Wildcats midweek.
Anthony Johnson, nicknamed “Pig”, led Arizona State with 24 points against BYU despite attempting 21 shots and making just 7. The accuracy wasn’t there for Johnson, but Coach Bobby Hurley will need better efficiency from his star today. Arizona State also features Santiago Trouet and Andrija Grbovic, both standing 6-11 or taller.
“We were terrible. We missed wide open layups early. We broke some kind of record for missing mid-range shots.”
— Bobby Hurley, Arizona State Head Coach
Who Will Break Into the Win Column First?
This Saturday matchup determines which Big 12 program stops the bleeding. Kansas State Coach Jerome Tang emphasized his team’s resilience, noting they’ve faced #1 Arizona and #10 BYU heading into a “whole line of others to compete against.” The opportunity to face a similarly struggling opponent offers Kansas State a genuine path to their first conference victory.
Arizona State’s predictament is more dire. Back-to-back road games against Arizona and Houston follow today’s contest. A loss creates the realistic possibility of falling to 9-9 overall with a seven-game losing streak by late January. Bobby Hurley’s job security may hinge on stealing this game at home in Desert Financial Arena.
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.