Kansas City Showdown: Sun Devils vs. Bears
The Arizona State Sun Devils are gearing up for their second appearance at the Big 12 Men's Basketball Conference Tournament. With both teams sporting identical records of 16-15, the 12th-seeded Sun Devils are set to clash with the 13th-seeded Baylor Bears in what promises to be a compelling opening round.
The Stakes
Tip-off is scheduled for Tuesday at 9:30 AM MST, and the Sun Devils are eager to notch their sixth conference tournament victory under the guidance of Head Coach Bobby Hurley. A win here would propel them into a second-round face-off against the 5th-seeded Iowa State, scheduled for Wednesday at 9:30 AM MST on ESPN+.
A Familiar Foe
This encounter marks the second meeting of the season between Arizona State and Baylor and the 11th in their history. The Bears have had the upper hand in neutral site games, boasting a 3-1 record.
Earlier this season, the Sun Devils held a promising 40-32 halftime lead on the road, only to see Baylor rally back for a 73-68 victory. Arizona State is determined to break their winless streak against Baylor, which dates back to 1988.
With both teams eyeing a deeper run in the tournament, this matchup is set to be a battle of grit and strategy. Keep an eye on how the Sun Devils adjust their game plan to counter Baylor's second-half surges and whether they can finally turn the tide in this long-standing rivalry.